When: Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 10AM

Location: Meet at the DEP parking area for the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trailhead at the end of Whangtown Road

Click for hike location on Google Maps (ignore the fact that it says “closed”, this is a Google mistake, we are working to get this updated)

Click for hike location on Apple Maps

Join the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for our annual hike to one of the town’s most interesting landmarks, Hawk Rock.

When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age they left behind many large boulders that many times settled in interesting positions as the ice melted, looking almost like they were placed there. One of these glacial erratics is known as Hawk Rock. This glacial erratic is in the shape of a hawk’s wing when viewed from the correct angle and has a carving of a turtle. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans used the site as a meeting place and gave this huge rock its name. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

The land where the Hawk Rock/Tom Morgan Trail and this glacial erratic sits is part of the New York City watershed and is open for recreational use. Horse Pound Brook skirts the Hawk Rock trail, drains the wooded valley, and adds to New York City’s water supply. Along the way wildflowers and birdlife are abundant and old farm ruins tell the story of the Town of Kent in another time.

The Hawk Rock trail is blazed and marked, which was an Eagle Scout project completed by one of our local boy scouts from Carmel Troop #1. This is a moderate hike of about 3 miles that takes 3-4 hours round trip, including a lunch stop at Hawk Rock. Wear proper hiking boots or shoes and be prepared for some moderate slope, mud, and rocks. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Heavy rain cancels. Call 914-671-2764 for info.