School Mountain Road Bridges In Fahnestock

[Linda Frank]

Opted for Fahnestock & Hudson Highlands this weekend.  One hike we're considering is Daniela's School Mountain Loop hike.  

I'm concerned though about the condition of the bridges on School Mountain Road. According to an advisory I read in the Spring edition of NY/NJ Trail Conference's Trail Walker, they mention in their Trail News column that the bridges along School Mountain Road in Fahnestock have not been replaced/repaired as a result of Irene.  They do mention, however, that most creek crossings can generally be made by "careful footing".  A relative judgment at best.  

While they didn't exactly receive a flooding deluge in the rains recently, I imagine those creeks were somewhat effected.  Anyone know about those crossings and the lack of bridges there?  Thanks much.

Linda

[Linda Frank]

Well, I got to find out first hand last Saturday. No thanks, btw, to the Fahnestock Visitor Center who could offer no, zilch, zip, nada info on bridges' conditions, state of repair or if streams were crossable. Three phone calls prior & stopping there before we set out got us basically the same response each time:

"Well, there's at least 5 bridges on School Mountain Road and I think they're all damaged and some are completely out".  

"Okay.  But can we still cross the streams or creeks?  Are they fordable?"

"Uh, well.  No staffer has been out to them that we know of, and if they have, no one's told us the conditions.  Just that the bridges were damaged or are totally out.

 So we packed out heavy-duty plastic disposable waders just in case.  We figured water levels were low anyway due to lack of rain...but....

Bottom line?  All streams/creeks not just passable, but those that didn't require rock hops on rocks probably strategically placed by repair crews, either had sturdy structural bridges in place if not yet totally affixed like this one near the southern end of the East Mountain Trail:

A really good structural recycling of a washed-out bridge's steel base & beams was the first we encountered about 0.4mi on School Mtn. Road from Hubbard Lodge at junction w/Fahnestock Trail.  "Gone" bridge in foreground and temporary structure in background.

Another view w/School Mountain Road in background to left.  We took blue-blazed Fahnestock Trail up after crossing on steel beams. (See blazes on tree.)

The Perkins Trail/School Mountain Road/East Mtn. Loop w/rock placements. Pieces of washed out beam bridge lay strewn about.  Rock crossing is down slope directly beneath tree w/blazes. Easy crossing.

Since we took The Fahnestock Trail up and looped back on School Mountain Road, we hit this severely damaged steel bridge on our return about 1mi. before the junction of School Mtn. Road & Fahnestock and that first totally washed out steel bridge.  Still quite usable but pretty wrecked otherwise.  

Great hike. Little over 12.5 miles. Beautiful weather all day; plastic waders stayed in our packs; and mass quantities of much-appreciated chocolate chunk cookies were lustfully consumed after dinner.

Linda

[Daniela Wagstaff]

Nice firsthand report, Linda!  Even though those plastic waders are great to have just in case, it sure does help to have accurate information.