Schunemunk Mountain via Sweet Clover and Jessup Trail Loop in Schunemunk Mountain State Park, NY

Hike Schunemunk Mountain via Sweet Clover and Jessup Trail Loop Schunemunk Mountain State Park, NY

Class 1 7.1 miles 1700 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jul 6, 2020
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Schunemunk Mountain via Sweet Clover and Jessup Trail Loop GPX Track

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There are a few trails leading to the summit of Schunemunk Mountain, and the more commonly known "megaliths" located along a spur trail a quick jaunt from the high point. The route Austin and I decided to take included the Sweet Clover Trail and Jessup Trail, forming a semi-loop. Although official trails, there are signs warning not to cross the railroad tracks that run through Schunemunk State Park. I won't say that we crossed them, but in order to make this loop, you'll have to do it. The only trail as of July 2020 that allows you to access the Schunemunk Mountain high point is via the Trestle Trail on the mountain's northern ridge, but I haven't done it.

Anyway, we started out from the trailhead and walked through unexpectedly gorgeous meadows with tall grasses before the Sweet Clover Trail entered the forest and crossed the first railroad track. The trail was just the remains of an old road ben for a while before narrowing into single-track. Some reasonably steep ascending led us along the well-blazed trail to the junction with the Jessup Trail, which we would take on our descent. The trail continued ascending along the ridgeline, where exposed rock and scraggly pine trees made for an interesting landscape. The trail led around boulders, along slickrock sections, and overall kept the hike fun. We reached a junction where the main trail continued to the Schunemunk Mountain high point, and a spur trail led to the Schuneumnk Mountain megaliths. We quickly bagged the high point and then checked out the latter feature. The megaliths were underwhelming, but still a somewhat cool feature comprised of rock monoliths and a nice view.

Back at the junction with the Jessup Trail, we followed this trail as it descended along the pretty northeastern ridge from Schunemunk Mountain. Another junction at a small bridge makes going that way tempting, but instead the Jessup Trail parallels the railroad tracks for a short time before requiring another crossing. On the other side of the tracks, the trail is actually just an old roadbed and after about a half mile, the trail curves left away from the roadbed and took us back through the forest and meadows to complete the loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Schunnemunk Mountain
1664 ft
1164 rise

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Starting from the trailhead.
Starting from the trailhead.
The trail leads through some beautiful high grasses in a meandow.
The trail leads through some beautiful high grasses in a meandow.
Schunemunk Mountain visible top right.
Schunemunk Mountain visible top right.
Image 3 from gallery
Entering the forest.
Entering the forest.
A railroad track crossing. Technically it's illegal, so I won't say we did it.
A railroad track crossing. Technically it's illegal, so I won't say we did it.
Ascending the Sweet Clover Trail.
Ascending the Sweet Clover Trail.
Looking back at some views along the Sweet Clover Trail.
Looking back at some views along the Sweet Clover Trail.
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
Still ascending on the Sweet Clover Trail.
Still ascending on the Sweet Clover Trail.
Image 11 from gallery
A nice view along the way up.
A nice view along the way up.
Junction with the Jessup Trail. We would be returning via this trail later. First, up to Schunemunk Mountain!
Junction with the Jessup Trail. We would be returning via this trail later. First, up to Schunemunk Mountain!
Image 14 from gallery
Some minor scrambling.
Some minor scrambling.
The ridgeline up to Schunemunk has rocky slabs, scraggly pine trees and nice views.
The ridgeline up to Schunemunk has rocky slabs, scraggly pine trees and nice views.
Image 17 from gallery
Views to the north.
Views to the north.
Approaching the summit.
Approaching the summit.
Summit of Schunemunk Mountain.
Summit of Schunemunk Mountain.
A short detour leads to the megaliths, seen here.
A short detour leads to the megaliths, seen here.
We headed back down to the junction with the Jessu Trail. We started descending via the Jessup Trail.
We headed back down to the junction with the Jessu Trail. We started descending via the Jessup Trail.
Image 23 from gallery
A minor section of ascent before the descent down the Jessup Trail.
A minor section of ascent before the descent down the Jessup Trail.
Image 25 from gallery
Pretty ridgeline as we descend.
Pretty ridgeline as we descend.
The Jessup Trail enters back into deciduous forest and follows a pretty stream.
The Jessup Trail enters back into deciduous forest and follows a pretty stream.
Cute mini waterfall.
Cute mini waterfall.
A tempting little bridge. Don't take it. Instead, the trail heads to the right and crossed some railroad tracks.
A tempting little bridge. Don't take it. Instead, the trail heads to the right and crossed some railroad tracks.
Railroad Track crossing. Again, won't say we did it since there's a sign reading it's trespassing.
Railroad Track crossing. Again, won't say we did it since there's a sign reading it's trespassing.
After the railroad tracks, an old roadbed parallels the tracks for about a half mile.
After the railroad tracks, an old roadbed parallels the tracks for about a half mile.
The trail heads left away from the old roadbed.
The trail heads left away from the old roadbed.
Crossing a little bridge into the meadows.
Crossing a little bridge into the meadows.
The trail continues through the meadows and joins back up with the Sweet Clover Trail.
The trail continues through the meadows and joins back up with the Sweet Clover Trail.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!