Bull Hill (Mount Taurus) via Washburn Mine Dike in Hudson Highlands State Park, NY

Hike Bull Hill (Mount Taurus) via Washburn Mine Dike Hudson Highlands State Park, NY

Class 3 3.9 miles 1400 gain 2-4 hrs Loop Jun 11, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bull Hill (Mount Taurus) via Washburn Mine Dike GPX Track

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Bull Hill (aka Mt. Taurus) has a trail to the top, but this route makes it much more interesting and fun by inluding a detour scramble. Years ago, a friend took me up the Washburn Mine Dike, a Class 3 gully, and then returned via the Washburn Trail. I wanted to continue up to Mt. Taurus from top of the dike.

Starting from the Washburn Trailhead, we started up to the old mining site. The standard trail up keeps right at the fork, but we went left, our sights on the Washburn Mine Dike. Some Class 2 led to the base of the dike, and then a series of Class 3 moves on some rocks and roots brought us to the top of the dike. We bushwhacked along the rim until we picked up a social trail along the cliffs that led to the Washburn Trail. We followed the Washburn Trail to the summit of Mt. Taurus, some very light scrambling through the mostly forested ascent.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Bull Hill
1420 ft
680 rise

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Starting along the Washburn Trail.
Starting along the Washburn Trail.
Washburn Mine Dike visible ahead. This is along the left fork once getting to the old mining site clearing.
Washburn Mine Dike visible ahead. This is along the left fork once getting to the old mining site clearing.
Approaching the dike.
Approaching the dike.
Class 2 boulder-hopping.
Class 2 boulder-hopping.
Looking back the way we came.
Looking back the way we came.
Approaching the Class 3 stuff.
Approaching the Class 3 stuff.
Class 3 dike.
Class 3 dike.
Looking back as we scramble up, the clearing we walked through in the center. Hudson River up top. The official Washburn Trail goes up the cliffs visible top left.
Looking back as we scramble up, the clearing we walked through in the center. Hudson River up top. The official Washburn Trail goes up the cliffs visible top left.
Class 3 move.
Class 3 move.
Looking back down the Class 3 stuff.
Looking back down the Class 3 stuff.
A couple more Class 3 moves on some rocks and roots.
A couple more Class 3 moves on some rocks and roots.
Trevor pulling a Class 3 move.
Trevor pulling a Class 3 move.
View down the slope, just before the last Class 3 move.
View down the slope, just before the last Class 3 move.
Class 3 move on a rock and root combo.
Class 3 move on a rock and root combo.
From the top of the scramble, looking back the way we came.
From the top of the scramble, looking back the way we came.
Continuing along the rim, Hudson River in the background. We had to bushwhack for a minute before finding this social trail.
Continuing along the rim, Hudson River in the background. We had to bushwhack for a minute before finding this social trail.
Back on the official Washburn Trail, looking back along the social trail that follows the rim.
Back on the official Washburn Trail, looking back along the social trail that follows the rim.
Along the Washburn Trail, a nice view.
Along the Washburn Trail, a nice view.
Mostly forested Washburn Trail on our way up to Mt. Taurus.
Mostly forested Washburn Trail on our way up to Mt. Taurus.
The best view along the Washburn Trail.
The best view along the Washburn Trail.
Image 20 from gallery
Some very light scrambling along the Washburn Trail.
Some very light scrambling along the Washburn Trail.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
Continuing up to Mt. Taurus.
Continuing up to Mt. Taurus.
Image 25 from gallery
Views from the summit of Mt. Taurus.
Views from the summit of Mt. Taurus.
Close-up looking northwest from the summit.
Close-up looking northwest from the summit.
On the way down the Washburn Trail, a view north toward the Washburn Mine Dike we ascended earlier.
On the way down the Washburn Trail, a view north toward the Washburn Mine Dike we ascended earlier.
Snakes.
Snakes.

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!