Walk from Phillipse Manor to Rockwood Hall Ruins and Scarborough along the OCA Trail

http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/59/details.aspxWe decided to join one of our favorite hike leaders for our first walk out of the city this season. We met at 11:10 at the Phillipse Manor Metro North train station for a leisurely stroll of about 4 miles through Rockwood Hall State Park, a rolling section of The Rockefeller State Park Preserve, with its sweeping views of the Hudson and old, stately trees, and the ruins of Olmstead designed Rockwood Hall, a 220-room estate, former home of William Rockefeller.
We continued north on The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail to the Scarborough station just in time to catch the 3:06 train back to the city.



We met the group at the historic Phillipse Manor Station.


We walked north from the station on Riverside Drive and passed Lake Fremont.


As we continued, Riverside Drive became Pokahoe Drive, which turns into Hemlock Drive.


Along the way, we saw the first signs of spring. This tree seemed to sprout crystals hanging from a chandelier.

This is that precious green seen only in early spring, as on this weeping something tree.

Is this new growth, or hardy survivors of the last season?

These snowdrops are the new harbingers of spring. They appear even before the crocuses.

We continued on Hemlock Drive to North Broadway, where we turned left.

The next left was onto Hospital Access Road.

Hungry yet? We made a right into Phelps Hospital and had a 45 minute lunch break in the cafeteria. Thanks to the facilities, no one had an emergency for the rest of the day.


We went back out to Hospital Access Road to Rockwood Road, which took us right into Rockwood State Park. This link has a great trail map of the area.

Here was a good spot to tighten boot laces.

Our group loved the view of the Hudson River on the left as we walked north through the park.



Trees can be most beautiful when they are still revealing their pure poetry.




This is all that remains of Rockwood Hall,the once grand Rockefeller Estate.


We took the path out of the park and followed the Old Croton Aqueduct trail. The aqueduct actually is buried beneath the trail.

If these dogs were supposed to be guarding, why were they wagging their tails? There were houses on either side of the aqueduct.

This is ventilation tower #10 on the OCA at Briarcliff Manor The vents are placed one mile apart.f


We followed the OCA until we hit Long Hill Road, where we made a left to Scarborough Road.

Some of the houses had great views of the Hudson.

One of the tramps takes a breather.

We made a left on Scarborough Road on the way to the train station.

At the Scarborough Station Park, we were greeted by some local animal life.

We hope the temperature is warm enough for us so we can go into the woods next week.