Skyline Preserve Loop

From the parking pull out, walk west on Weaver Road over the stone bridge and continue for .2 mile.  Just before a black mailbox with number 139 turn left at the “Trail Access” sign beyond which are the three yellow markers indicating the beginning of the yellow-blazed trail through Skyline Preserve.  Proceed through a ditch then past a wrecked car.  Cross over a small stream on logs.

At the half-mile point the trail turns left to follow a woods road.  When making this left turn, make note of the surroundings so you can identify this turn on the return route.  One of the markers is missing in the opposite direction so the turn is easily missed when heading back.  After a short distance the yellow trail leaves the woods road as a footpath to the right.

At .9 miles the trail comes out on an open rock slab with several dead trees and an pretty pine tree growing out of the slab.  Trail markers are missing in this area.  Walk straight towards the two boulders on the rock slab.  Proceed straight towards two more boulders with Van Nostrand Lake visible beyond.  Veer left before the boulder on the left and yellow markers will resume.

The trail arrives at a closer view of Van Nostrand Lake then veers left uphill and follows the lake from a level up.  Soon the trail veers away from the lake and descends on a brief rock scramble.

At the 1.3 mile point, the trail turns right into the woods.   Although markers aren’t visible, the woods road straight ahead at this intersection will be the return route bringing the loop of the lollipop full circle.

In .3 mile arrive at Table Rock on the right, a rock slab with views of the New York City Skyline.  Shortly after this view, fallen trees obstruct the trail and markers are sparse, probably having been lost in the storms along with the trees.   This will involve some climbing over and under tree trunks and watching closely for the next trail marker.  At the 1.85 mile point, the trail clears as it veers left at a pretty creek with small waterfalls.

At 2.1 miles the trail comes out onto a mossy, rocky woods road, which it follows to the left.  After a few steps keep straight on the woods road as the yellow blazes also leave to the left – this is where the loop of the lollipop started at the beginning of the hike.  From this point retrace your steps back to your car.  Remember to watch for the right turn at 2.9 miles where the second marker indicating a turn is missing.  You will see the woods road fork and go uphill; the right turn is just before that fork.

[  0.00]  Walk west over bridge from pull off parking
[  0.20]  Turn left at Trail Access sign just before mail box with number 139
[  0.50]  Trail turns left following woods road
[  0.55]  Trail leaves woods road to right as footpath
[  0.90]  Trail comes out at clearing heading towards Van Nostrand Lake
[  1.05]  Trail comes out at Van Nostrand Lake and veers left uphill along the lake
[  1.15]  Trail veers away from lake on woods road after brief downhill rock scramble
[  1.30]  Trail leaves wider path to the right on a more narrow path (start of lollipop loop)
[  1.60]  View of New York City skyline from Table Rock Overlook on right
[  1.70]  Area of heavy blow down to climb over and crawl under; sparse blazing
[  1.85]  Trail clears as it turns left before creek with small waterfalls
[  2.10]  Trail comes out on mossy, rocky woods road
[  2.15]  Keep straight on woods road having completed lollipop loop when yellow goes left from beginning of hike; now retracing first part
[  2.25]  Just before lake trail leaves woods road to right as footpath
[  2.30]  Brief rock scramble up then trail follows along upper level with lake below to the left
[  2.50]  Cross open rock slab with pretty pine growing out of rock
[  2.80]  Trail turns left on woods road
[  2.90]  Trail leaves woods road to right before woods road forks left uphill (this is where turn blaze is missing)
[  3.20]  Cross small creek on logs at wrecked car
[  3.25]  Turn right on Weaver Road
[  3.45]  Back at parking pull out