Fishkill, NY: 9/4/25 - The Creeklander

[Ripitz]

Part One - The Creek

Life is full of surprises. With each milestone another adventure awaits.

It was Peanut’s first day of second grade and also my birthday.

I had taken the day off, so after getting her on the bus, I enjoyed a chill morning then turned my attention towards the creek. We are fortunate to live close by to one of our town parks in Fishkill that the creek runs through. I took my time getting my kit ready, then launched from there on a multi-sport mission just after noon.

It was a beautiful day for a float. I love September.

Along the way I passed the historic Star Mill, built by the order of General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. The mill ground flour to help feed our troops while they were encamped nearby.

Some rapids at our village park added some spice.

Then the fun started. Bushwacking usually presents some challenges. Creekshwacking takes it to a whole new level.

There’s a water course under there somewhere.

Made it through some how relatively unscathed and now it was smooth sailing.

Eyes on the prize, Fishkill Ridge comes into view near the I-84 overpass.

 

[Ripitz]

Part Two - The Mountain

Part of the Hudson Highlands State Park Preserve, Fishkill Ridge extends all the way to Mt. Beacon. There are many convenient ways to access the ridge. Paddling 4.25 miles down the creek is not one of them but it put me right at the northeast base of the ridge proper without the use of pavement.

I left my rig and set out on wet feet. A short shwack led to an old woods road that climbed the mountain.

This is the rugged homeland of the mountain cat and Timber rattler. Not many people traverse these parts except the occasional redneck on a 4-wheeler blasting things with a shotgun.

Soon the Hudson River came into view stretching from the north.

Bald Hill, elevation 1,499’

Looking south passed West Point the Manhattan skyline is just barely visible from here. The high peak in the center is Bull Hill near Cold Spring with Fishkill and Scofield Ridges trailing off to the right.

I travelled nearly 8 miles before I saw my first blaze. The beauty of the ridge is not only its distant views but its high elevation plateau singletrack…

and windswept knobs.

The upland climax oak forest continues its work erasing the efforts of mankind’s heavy hand.

 

[Ripitz]

Part Three - Returning from Mt. Beacon

Mt. Beacon got its name during the period of the Revolutionary War. It was the northernmost point of a chain of 23 signal fires stretching all the way to New Jersey. When set ablaze it would warn the residents of Dutchess County and the surrounding countryside that the British were advancing up the Hudson Valley. General George Washington had a clear line of sight of it from his headquarters in Newburgh. It is said that the fires were never needed as a warning but Washington ordered them to be lit to celebrate the end of war and the Continental Army’s victory.

Fishkill Ridge

Hells Hollow

Scofield Ridge

Mt. Beacon Reservoir, the Hudson River with Danskammer and the Catskills beyond.

North Mt. Beacon from South Mt. Beacon with an advancing wall of water.

I made it to the fire tower on South Mt. Beacon at 1,611’ with severe weather looming and decided it wasn’t the best idea to climb it to see the lightning rod in action.

I had originally planned to go all the way to Breakneck but with darkness and a storm approaching it was time to bail. I was out of water so I high-tailed it to the reservoir to filter some as the first rain drops started falling. I called my friend Red Beard to get the location of an abandoned mechanical room near the communication towers if I needed to seek shelter. It’s always good to let someone know where you are when the shit is about to hit the fan. He knows the mountain better than anyone and is familiar with the shit and the fan.

I decided to keep moving. I could call Lyft and run to Beacon if I had to. I ran down the fire road in a downpour. I kept my shirt in my fanny pack to keep it dry and wore just a pair of swim shorts. I jumped on the Dry Brook Trail, which was now very wet and took it to the Overlook Trail, up and over the shoulder of Lamb’s Hill. I took shelter for a bit under the Pitch Pines as the wind and rain blew sideways. I didn’t dare take my phone out for pictures but it was quite the scene. I moved as quick as I could over the rough terrain without risking injury. I windmilled my arms and threw punches to stay warm.

I got to the parking area at Sunnyside and the rain had stopped. The hike was about 11 miles with just over 3,000ft of vert. To complete the loop I had about 1.5 miles of road walking. The road and a dry shirt never felt so good.

At the end of the road I found my way back into the woods and located my stashed rig and a dry jacket. I crossed the creek to the other side and transformed everything into bike mode. I pedaled out a dirt road that services the town’s water supply and reentered civilization.

Into the land of concrete sidewalks.

I stopped at a gas station to pick up a victory Fosters Oil Can. I chatted with the clerk who thought by the looks of things I was from out of state and travelling through. He was surprised as I went on to explain, “Nope, I’m just a local guy out adventuring and discovering new places in our own backyard.”

It poured all the way riding home.

 

[Brownski]

Wow
That’s something alright

 

[JK_PA]

Ripitz - Nice job finding adventure hidden in plain sight literally right out your backdoor. Incredible! Nice write up and pictures to boot. Any one of the three parts of your story would have been a fun day for me (with part 3 being type 2 fun). I am yet again impressed how you think to link it all together (not to mention having the skill to pull it off).

Also, I hope Peanut had a positive first day of school. And happy birthday!

 

[tirolski]

Ripitz - Nice job finding adventure hidden in plain sight literally right out your backdoor. Incredible! Nice write up and pictures to boot. Any one of the three parts of your story would have been a fun day for me (with part 3 being type 2 fun). I am yet again impressed how you think to link it all together (not to mention having the skill to pull it off).

Also, I hope Peanut had a positive first day of school. And happy birthday!

Yup.
All that.
Creekshwacking is dang beast mode.
It rained hard sideways in CNY yesterday and even had a report of another twister in Oneida County.