Schedule | Directions | Hotels | Contacts
At the height of autumn color in the Hudson Highlands, we will join Paul Ackermann of the 1st NY in tracing the route of the Old Cannon Road from the West Point Military Reservation through Black Rock Forest and into Cornwall, NY. Often misidentified with numerous confusing 19th Century redirections, this road was trudged by the Continental Army from West Point to New Windsor and was the only North-South land route on the West side of the Hudson River at that time.
Walk with us in the footsteps of Joseph Plumb Martin. Over the course of approximately 3.5 miles we will see archaeologically significant sites and note the appearance, non-appearance or disappearance of the remaining road bed due to time and man. The hike is in 18th c. kit.
We will meet at the Black Rock Science Center parking lot on Reservoir Road in Cornwall, NY at 8 AM Saturday, October 22. We will be truck-lifted to the starting point at the West Point/Black Rock boundary. The ground for the morning session is a long uphill over an improved logging road. There are a few rough spots, and we will be going into the woods as the road leads, so, in the interest of safety, modern foot-wear will be permitted.
Our nooning will be at The Stone House at the halfway point. There is hand-pumped well water available at The Stone House for refilling canteens, and there are also port-o-sans there.
At this time, we are planning a light trail lunch to be provided to participating BAR members.
During lunch we will be treated to a history of Black Rock Forest presented by Forest Manager John Brady.
After lunch, we will continue tracing the Old Cannon Road down the northern slope of the Highlands. Transport will be provided back to the parking area.
For those wishing to extend their time in Black Forest, The Stone House and a primitive bivouac area in a lakeside pine grove are available. For fire safety, bivouacs will be cold, although there is a usable fire pit closer to the house. Dinner and breakfast are on your own.
On Sunday, Oct. 23, should there be interest, Steve Otlowski of Hager's Rifles will lead a hike over some of the extensive trail system in Black Rock (in kit, of course). Black Forest is a 4000 acre preserve and living laboratory owned by the Black Rock Consortium.
We need to know how many mouths we need to feed and how many bodies we have to move, so this event requires pre-registration. If you are planning to attend, please email Steve Otlowski and forward your rations money of $5.00 per person, check made payable to the Brigade of the American Revoultion. Please provide all attendees names and units, and indicate if you are planning to spend the night.
This event involves easy to strenuous hiking: please be sure of your personal conditioning level.
We will meet 8:00 am at the lower parking lot off Reservoir Road
From the North:
Using the New Windsor Cantonment as a starting point, take Rt 300 (Temple Hill Road) south to the 5 corners at Vails Gate.
Follow Rte 32 south.
Cross the iron bridge and turn left at the light onto Rte 307. Follow 307 to 9W south.
Stay on 9W South past Museum of the Hudson Highlands.
Turn right when you a small black sign with white lettering "BLACK ROCK FOREST" This is Reservoir Road.
Follow Reservoir Road past the red house on the left. You will see the lower parking lot on the right before a gate.
From the south using Ft Montgomery as a starting point:
Follow Rte 9W north to Cornwall, turn around the first opportunity at the bottom of the mountain and head south on 9W.
Turn right when you a small black sign with white lettering "BLACK ROCK FOREST" This is Reservoir Road.
Follow Reservoir Road past the red house on the left. You will see the lower parking lot on the right before a gate.
GPS or Google:
Reservoir Road
Cornwall, New York 12518
www.blackrockforest.org/docs/about-the-forest/the-forest/map.html
www.blackrockforest.org/docs/teacher-student-resources/PlanningVisit/index.html
Steve Otlowski Hagar's Ind Rifle Coy, 15th Albany Co. Regt
4 Roy Place
Newburgh, NY 12550-2103
(845) 561-1536
More information is available at:
www.blackrockforest.org
Emergency Contact: TBA