From the parking area, walk back (southwest) along Route 301 for about 500 feet. When the guardrail on the left side of the road ends, turn left and follow a footpath, marked with the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), that leads downhill. The trail bears right and continues on a path built into the side of a hill. This was the route of a narrow-gauge railroad, built in 1873 to...
Hike Description:
From the parking area, walk back (southwest) along Route 301 for about 500 feet. When the guardrail on the left side of the road ends, turn left and follow a footpath, marked with the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), that leads downhill. The trail bears right and continues on a path built into the side of a hill. This was the route of a narrow-gauge railroad, built in 1873 to transport iron ore from mines in the area to Dump Hill, at the intersection of Philipstown Turnpike and Dennytown Road (from where it was transported to the foundry in Cold Spring by horse-drawn wagons). Below, on the left, is Canopus Creek, which soon widens into a large wetland.
In about two-thirds of a mile, you'll reach a particularly interesting section of the railbed that crosses a low area on a curved stone causeway. Just beyond, the A.T. bears left, leaving the railbed, and heads gently uphill on a footpath through dense mountain laurel.
In another quarter mile, the A.T. crosses the blue-blazed Three Lakes Trail (the junction is marked by a cairn). Continue ahead on the A.T., which descends, first moderately, then more steeply. At the base of the descent, the A.T. passes a wetland on the right and ascends to the right of a cliff, reaching a ridge covered with mountain laurel.
The A.T. descends through hemlocks to a level area overgrown with barberry thickets, then bears right to skirt a wetland. At the end of the level area, the A.T. climbs steeply to the top of a ridge covered with mountain laurel, hemlocks and pines. A large boulder in an open area to the right of the trail is a good spot to rest from the steep climb.
After descending slightly along a rocky ledge, it continues along the ridge, passing through an area with many young pines and hemlocks. At the end of the ridge, the A.T. steeply descends a rocky slope covered with pine needles. This section of the trail can be very slippery, so be sure to exercise caution. A short distance beyond, the trail follows stepping stones over the outlet of a beaver pond to the right of the trail, with a beautiful waterfall immediately downstream.
After a short climb, you'll reach dirt-and-gravel Sunken Mine Road. Turn right here, leaving the A.T., and follow the road, which crosses bridges over two streams and passes a pond on the right. A short distance beyond the pond, you’ll notice the blue-blazed Three Lakes Trail, which descends a slope on the right. Turn right onto the Three Lakes Trail, which will be your route for the rest of the hike.
The trail crosses the outlet of John Allen Pond on logs and rocks just below an old stone dam (now breached) and turns right, then bears left and comes out at the shore of the pond. After continuing along the shore for a short distance, the trail bears right, away from the pond. It reaches an old mine railbed and turns left to parallel it. After crossing a stream on rocks (on the left, the stone abutments of the mine railway are visible, but the bridge is gone), the trail bears left and joins the mine railbed for a short distance. It then turns left, leaving the railbed, and passes the stone foundations of several buildings from John Allen’s homestead.
The Three Lakes Trail now climbs to reach a junction with the red-blazed Charcoal Burners Trail, which begins on the left. Proceed ahead on the blue-blazed trail, which goes through mountain laurel thickets, continues through a grassy area, and crosses a small stream. Just ahead, the yellow-blazed Old Mine Railroad Trail begins on the left. Continue along the blue-blazed Three Lakes Trail, which bears right at a fork and heads north on a relatively level footpath. Soon, you’ll pass Hidden Lake on the left.
After climbing a little, you’ll reach a junction (marked by a cairn) with the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Continue ahead on the blue-blazed Three Lakes Trail, which descends steadily. At the base of the descent, it turns right onto a woods road and begins to parallel a wetland on the left. After descending steeply, the trail turns right and parallels the outlet stream of the wetland, then turns left and crosses the stream on a rock bridge built over a cascade.
The Three Lakes Trail climbs out of the valley and heads north, parallel to the stream below on the left. Soon, it turns left onto a woods road (the Green Trail, which leads into the Durland Scout Reservation, heads right on this road). The Three Lakes Trail follows the level woods road to the north, paralleling a large wetland on the left (this is the same wetland that you followed earlier in the hike, heading south on the A.T. on the opposite side of the wetland).
Towards the end of the wetland, the trail bears right, climbs a little, and passes several openings of the Philips Mine. First worked in the late 1700s, this was one of the earliest iron mines in the area. Soon, the sounds of traffic on Route 301 may be heard. As it approaches the highway, the Three Lakes Trail bears right and briefly parallels the road. It then turns left, crosses the old Philipstown Turnpike (now overgrown and wet), and ends opposite the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 04/19/2019This figure-eight loop hike traverses an old mine railbed and passes several scenic lakes.
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.