East Mountain and Round Hill Loop

This is one of the more strenuous hikes in Fahnestock, as there are several climbs/descents along the route. On the other hand, particularly near the top of Round Hill, you get some really nice vistas. East Mountain also provides views to the north, but it must be said that these are getting less nice with the years, as trees now partially block the views. You also can re-visit the farming community which existed along School Mountain Road, with innumerable stone fences and some ruins. There are a number of bridges along this road which, unfortunately, have the bad habit of getting washed out, so be prepared! Park at the Hubbard Lodge and take a short connector trail which ends at the combined School Mountain Road (white)/Fahnestock Trails (blue), which follow a fairly level old road. At 0.4 miles, turn sharply right (immediately after a bridge) to stay on the Fahnestock Trail, which stays fairly level until it abruptly turns left to ascend Round Hill. Just before you get to the top, there is a nice vista to the north/northwest, with a view to the south just after the summit. At the bottom of the subsequent descent, the Fahnestock Trail joins the Round Hill Bypass Tr (green) for a short stretch. You then go up and down several times along a ridge. At 3.8 miles, turn left at the intersection with the Perkins Trail (yellow), which you follow as it descends to School Mtn Road. (On this stretch, there are many zigzags through stone fences, so keep an eye out for the blazes.) Along the way, there is a cascade waterfall to your right. At 4.3 miles, turn right onto School Mtn Rd, cross a stream, and then immediately turn left onto East Mountain Loop (red) which initially follows an old road (with truly impressive stone fences and barn foundations) before cutting to the left at 4.6 miles to ascend East Mountain. Near the top (5 miles), there are somewhat occluded views to the north of Breakneck Ridge/Mt. Beacon), after which you descend fairly steeply back to School Mountain Road, near the bottom passing through another area rich in a maze of stone fences. Turn right onto School Mountain Road at 5.6 miles to return to your starting point.