After my initial adventure in Peekskill and my discovery of ‘Street View’ on Google Maps, along with other tools I mentioned in a previous article, I’ve become more adept at organizing my trips.
Beacon is a captivating city nestled in Dutchess County, about 60 miles (97 km) to the north of New York City. This particular journey had me brimming with excitement, as it marked my first foray into mountain climbing, promising a breathtaking view of the Hudson River. It’s a hike I’ve frequented extensively due to its numerous routes, each offering distinct panoramic vistas of the Hudson River and its picturesque surroundings. On my inaugural visit, I was accompanied by my nephew, Josenrique, providing me with a sense of security on the trail. Subsequently, I ventured there again, this time with my other nephew, Sebastián, and together we traversed the mountain, ultimately reaching the magnificent Breakneck Ridge – an unforgettable experience. This season, I’ve had the pleasure of revisiting Beacon Mountain twice with the Meetup group.
Now, I’ll provide you with a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know to visit Beacon Mountain and its firetower, ensuring you can fully relish this remarkable experience.
How to get to Beacon Mountain?
- You must purchase a ticket train from Grand Central Terminal to Beacon.
- Price: $ 35.00 dollars. Round Trip.
- Check the train Schedule here.
- The distance from the station to the Beacon Mountain entrance is 1.8 miles (2.8 km), which will take you approximately 40 minutes to walk. Here the route I took.
- In addition, there is a bus service available to transport you to and from the entrance of Mount Beacon Park. The entrance to the mountain is located at bus stop 3, and please note that this bus operates only from Monday to Saturday. You can access the route and schedules here.
- About the route I took, you can find it here.
About Beacon and its FireTower
- At the entrance of the hiking trail, you’ll find a portable toilet, although I couldn’t find one during the winter season. However, in autumn, it’s typically available as it’s considered prime hiking season. For the rest of the year, I cannot confirm its presence.
- Beacon Mountain offers several routes, including one that connects to Breakneck Ridge, spanning the entire mountain, but we’ll delve into that another time. I would categorize its routes as ranging from moderate to difficult in terms of difficulty. Beacon is located at the top of the map, which you can view here.
- The shortest route to the summit is quite steep, but there’s no need for any climbing equipment. Follow the red route (CT – Casino) and then switch to the white route (BR – Breakneck Ridge) leading to the Firetower. You can see the route here. If you continue along this path, you’ll eventually traverse the entire mountain, but that’s a tale for another article.
- Right in front of the entrance, you’ll find a deli where you can prepare for your hike by purchasing sandwiches and beverages.