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.

No need to drive far to enjoy the best of fall colors; nothing beats seeing the brilliance of autumn from the top of Mount Nimham Fire Tower!

Join members of the Town of Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for their annual fall foliage walk on Saturday, October 15, 2022. Meet at the parking area on Mount Nimham Court at 10 am for a ramble up a woodland trail past farm ruins, and stone shelters, through a peaceful forest. The climb up the mountain is mirrored in the subtle changes in vegetation. We’ll see the woodlands carpeted by ferns of different hues and an abundance of nuts.  Keep your eyes open for any wildlife that may be nearby. Once at the top, we’ll take time to enjoy the view from the historic fire lookout tower, last used by forest rangers in 1978. The return route will be along the blue trail or via the gravel access road, both returning to the parking area, completing the walk in approximately two miles.  

Wear good hiking shoes and bring water.  We also recommend using insect repellent for ticks.  We will take brief breaks.  No one will be left behind.  Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Heavy rain cancels. If the weather gets iffy, please check the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee webpage, the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee page on Facebook, or call 914-671-2764

When: Saturday, October 15, 2022, at 10 AM
Location: Mount Nimham Fire Tower, Mount Nimham Court, Carmel, NY 10512
Approximate duration: 2 hr 30 min
Directions: https://docs.kentcac.info/mngateparking

When: *CANCELLED* Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 11AM

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

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.

Sunday, October 17, 2021 10:00 AM

No need to drive far to enjoy the best of fall colors; nothing beats seeing the brilliance of autumn from the top of Mount Nimham Fire Tower!

Join members of the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for their annual fall foliage walk. Meet at the parking area on Mount Nimham Court at 10 am for a ramble up a woodland trail past farm ruins, stone shelters, and a peaceful forest. The climb up the mountain is mirrored in the subtle changes in vegetation. We’ll see the woodlands carpeted by ferns of different hues, and an abundance of nuts. Once at the top, we’ll take time to enjoy the view from the tower. Return is along the gravel access road completing the walk in less than two miles.

Wear good hiking shoes for a few rock scrambles, and bring water. Heavy rain cancels. If the weather gets iffy, please check the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee webpage, the KCAC facebook page, or call 914-671-2764

Location: Mount Nimham Fire Tower, Mount Nimham Court, Carmel, NY 10512
Approximate duration: 2 hr 30 min
Directions: https://docs.kentcac.info/mngateparking

To preview the hike and learn about the fire tower, check out this site.

New Year’s Day Hike at Lake Gleneida
Wednesday. January 1, 2020 11:00 AM

Start the new year with some fresh air and a bit of exercise. Join the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for a pleasant walk at Lake Gleneida in Carmel.

The trail is approximately one mile long. There is no exit; when we reach the end we will turn around walk back for a total of about 2 miles. There are some beautiful views along the walk including gorgeous trees and of course the lake itself. This is a good family hike. Dogs on leash are allowed.

Meet at the trail kiosk on Rte. 301 in downtown Carmel, just opposite the end of Fowler Avenue. Parking is available on the south side of Rte. 301. Wear good hiking shoes or boots, and dress for the weather. Heavy snow or rain cancels. If you are unsure, please call 845-225-2177 the day of the hike, or visit our home page, kentcac.info.

Sunday, October 13, 11:00 am

No need to drive far to enjoy the best of fall colors; nothing beats seeing the brilliance of autumn from the top of Mount Nimham Fire Tower!

Join the Kent Conservation Advisory Committee for their annual fall foliage walk. Meet at the parking area on Mount Nimham Court (map) at 11 am for a ramble up a woodland trail past farm ruins, stone shelters, and a peaceful forest. The climb up the mountain is mirrored in the subtle changes in vegetation. We’ll see the woodlands carpeted by ferns of different hues, and an abundance of nuts. Once at the top, we’ll take time to enjoy the view from the tower. Return is along the gravel access road completing the walk in less than two miles.

Wear good hiking shoes for a few rock scrambles, and bring water. Heavy rain cancels. If the weather gets iffy, check our facebook page, Kent Conservation Advisory Committee, our website kentcac.info, or call 845-235-1207 after 9:30 AM.

Hike to Hawk Rock and the Mead Farm Ruins
Sunday, May 19, 11 AM

Join members of the Kent CAC for the annual hike to one of the town’s most interesting landmarks. Meet at the DEP parking area at the end of Whangtown Road at 11 AM.

If you haven’t been to Hawk Rock, you’re in for a treat. When the glaciers retreated northward at the end of the last ice age, they were carrying some huge rocks that sometimes ended up in odd positions when the ice melted. One of these so-called “erratics” is Hawk Rock. Local lore has it that long ago the Native Americans named it and used the site as a meeting place. It is certainly a believable story; the setting is beautiful and it’s one impressive rock.

Horsepound Brook skirts the trail, drains the wooded valley, and adds to New York City’s water supply. Along the way wildflowers and bird life are abundant, and old farm ruins tell the story of Kent in another time.

This is a moderate hike that takes three hours or so round trip including lunch. Wear good hiking shoes for a few rock scrambles, and bring water too. Heavy rain cancels, call 845-228-5635 for info.

Saturday, March 30, 7 PM
Great Swamp Wildlife Management Area
Cornwall Hill Road, Patterson

Enjoy an evening of spring delights: bird songs in the meadow at dusk, warm breezes and earthy smells, and a chance to witness the bizarre, the intricate, impressive mating flight of the American Woodcock. Join Kent Conservation Advisory Committee naturalists for a gentle walk to the singing grounds of this small game bird.

Come learn about this extraordinary behavior, how to identify the sounds of this amazing bird, and to help map its locations in the town of Kent and the Great Swamp Watershed.

Wear warm clothes and good hiking shoes. Very cold weather or snow would postpone the walk because the woodcock don’t fly when it’s too cold. If this happens, we’ll post a message to the CAC website and an email alert to CAC hikes subscribers (click here to subscribe) by 4 PM the day of the hike. Or, if in doubt, call (845) 228-5635.

Become a citizen scientist! Join the Kent Conservation Committee Advisory Committee for its Butterfly Walk on Saturday July 7 at 10:00 AM, starting at the Nimham Multiple Use Area on Gipsy Trail Road. Support the North American Butterfly Association’s efforts to document butterfly populations nationwide and add to Kent’s Natural Resource Inventory by finding as many butterflies as possible.

Participants will learn about the habits and habitats of these brilliant insects, visiting four different meadows by caravan. Hike Leader, Beth Herr, will compile butterfly sightings and look for butterfly eggs, caterpillars, and chrysalides. Other summer delights are likely to be found in the tall grass fields and forest edges. Bring close-focus binoculars if you have them. (A pair of eyes is good enough.) Wear sturdy shoes and long pants; bring water and lunch. Be prepared to stand and watch. Please do not bring dogs. Children over six years are welcome.

Registration is required: Call 228-5635. Heavy rain cancels; butterflies stay under cover when it rains.