Hiking the Taconic Range


Brace Mountain is in New York near the Connecticut and Massachusetts state lines.  There are a few different ways to approach the mountain. The beginning of the South Taconic Trail can be reached from Quarry Hill Road from the Quarry Hill Trail in Northeast, New York.  The trail can be steep in spots, but there are great views all along the way.  Brace Mountain has a south and a north peak, and both have good views.   

OpenTopoMap of Brace Mountain

The welcome sign a few minutes from the parking lot in New York.

 An unexpected waterfall along the Quarry Hill Trail leading to the South Taconic Trail.


This is the same waterfall shown above but in December.

A harebell plant in bloom along the rocky trail. 

Some of the trail is exposed and requires a bit of scrambling.

There is a new extension of the South Taconic Trail,  which takes you takes you south of South Brace Mountain where you can see more of the ridge.  Alander Mountain is in the distance.   The new southern end of the South Taconic Trail goes into the Rudd Pond area.  There are many views to the west and some other very interesting scenery along this route.  Here is a link to the map, MAP, but they change websites from time to time, so I can guarantee how long it will work. 

Lowbush blueberries, dwarfed pitch pines and mountain laurels can be found in abundance south of South Brace Mountain. 

Many other mountains are visible on the east and north sides of Brace Mountain.

A view of Riga Lake in Connecticut.

A view west into the town of Northeast, New York.  The Catskills are in the distance. 

 A view to the northwest toward Ancram, New York in early fall. 

Brace Mountain is open enough for paragliders to take off from.

The peak of Brace Mountain

Make a free website with Yola