My first trek to Mount Beacon in 2015 is one I will never forget. It was close to 100 degrees that fateful July morning, which is the best time to do strenuous outdoor activity. But while that unbearable heat will always be etched in my mind, the real reason that hike remains so vivid in my mind was the breathtaking view of the Hudson River from the summit:

Every hiker has their opinions on where the best “money spot” is, the best sights your legs can carry you to, but this is the hill (or in this case, mountain) I will die on in this never-ending debate. Mount Beacon has become a yearly pilgrimage for me because no matter how many times I look over Beacon and see the distant shapes of cars driving along the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, it will never get old.

It’s no cakewalk up to the top, which makes the finish line all that more redeeming. While the walk directly from the parking lot along a flat gravel path may lull you into a false sense of security, the giant metal staircase that greets you further along the way will quickly snap you back to realistic expectations.

Some background info on Mount Beacon: The mountain was once home to the cleverly-named Mount Beacon Incline Railway that carried tourists up to the summit where a casino and hotel once stood. The railway stopped running in the late 1970s, but the remnants are still present at the top of the climb:

While there have been rumblings of efforts to restore the railroad, I’d argue the payoff is a little more well-earned by hiking the trail by foot.

Beyond the main summit, which can take between 45 minutes to an hour to reach, there’s another ~half hour of trails that will lead you to the fire tower that looms in the distance:

What made that sweltering summer day a bit more bearable (beyond the amazing sights in every single direction) were my hiking companions. Working at a summer camp, my fellow leadership staff and I decided to take our counseling staff on a hiking outing. While last-minute personal and schedule conflicts resulted in me being the only member of the leadership team to make the trip, nobody was harmed in my period of “chaperoning.”

Now despite all the positive things I can say about Mount Beacon–and trust me, there’s a lot–it should be noted that this is not necessarily a hike for beginners. While the trails are mostly dirt and are clearly marked, the elevations can be steep at times and there are a lot of loose rocks that can easily lead to rolled ankles if ill-equipped. But if you feel you can handle it, previous climbers know you can, too:

The Mount Beacon trailhead parking lot is located at 370 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, New York. For a comprehensive trailguide and more information about the hike, check out Hike the Hudson Valley’s excellent write up.