Wilkinson, Bypass, Breakneck Ridge, and Notch Loop

This loop, although it involves part of the Breakneck Ridge Trail, does not climb up to the ridge using the rock scramble that constitutes the western part of this trail, but rather ascends via the Wilkinson and the Breakneck Bypass Trails, and descends on the Wilkinson Trail. Both ascent and descent are plenty steep in spots (so you’ll get some good cardio exercise!), but the only rock-scrambling is in just 2 spots - a short climb on the Breakneck Ridge Trail and a quite short section while descending from Sugarloaf. Vistas are fairly widely spaced, but quite beautiful. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to park right on NY Route 9D near the western terminus of the Wilkinson Trail (yellow blazes). Start up this trail, which moderately ascends along mostly an old road. After 0.6 miles, turn right onto the Breakneck Bypass Trail (red blazes), which is generally steeper. At 1.3 miles, you reach the Breakneck Ridge Trail (white blazes), onto which you turn left. Soon thereafter, there is a short climb to a beautiful vista, after which the Breakneck Ridge Trail, which is joined by the Notch Trail (blue blazes) at the 1.6 mile mark, makes several descents/ascents. At 2.8 miles, take a left turn to stay on the Notch Trail, and take another left turn at 2.9 miles onto the Wilkinson Trail going toward Rte 9D. After a fairly short ascent, this trail then commences a fairly lengthy descent (at times quite steep!), eventually crossing Cascade Brook. The slope becomes much less steep as you parallel the brook for a while and then cross a sometimes boggy flat area. At about 4.4 miles, you start the ascent of the eastern slope of Sugarloaf. Once the trail levels out again, you immediately have nice views to the west and north. The trail then turns south to traverse the relatively flat top of Sugarloaf, leading to another great viewpoint to the west and south. Shortly thereafter, you start the descent from Sugarloaf, part of which you might want to accomplish in a seated position. Although the descent soon moderates, it’s still plenty steep until you cross another brook, after which the Wilkinson Trail mostly follows an old road. You’ll pass the Breakneck Bypass Trail (5.4 miles) and continue back to your starting point (6.1 miles).