1777 Trail

The 1777 Trail is a historic trail set along the Hudson River.  The trail identified the route British forces took for an attack on Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. Montgomery is to the north of the Popolopen Creek and Clinton is on the south side of the  creek.  Both forts attempted to defend the passage up the Hudson River. A British ship joined the battle and the chain across the river snapped.  The battle lasted 5 hours with heavy casualties and both forts fell to the British forces.

This trail starts at Stoney Point just above the Hudson River.  The trail is marked with white disks and "1777" in red.  The parking area along Route 9 is small. Cross the road and the trail starts just north of the parking area. Follow the trail for one mile where the trail becomes a forest road.  Eventually the forest road becomes an old abandoned paved road when it reaches Doodletown.  Doodletown is somewhat of a ghost town in that there are no structures remaining but there are several foundations and two relatively large cemeteries considering their location.  The 1777 trail ends 3 miles from the trailhead at the center of Doodletown.  Here is where British forces divided with half going east to attack Fort Clinton and the other half going north, around Bear Mountain to attack Fort Montgomery.

This 1777 West/East loop can be done in either direction; this guide follows the trail west to east.  I chose to take the west trail first.  Turn left and follow the trail for a little more than one mile where you reach a parking area.  Pass through the parking area and continue another 0.75 miles where you cross over the Palisades Interstate Parkway.  After another 0.5 miles, the 1777 West trail joins the 1779 trail.  Turn right and continue for 1.2 miles until you cross over the Popolopen Creek.  The 1777 West trail continues for 1.5 miles until it reaches the visitor center at Fort Montgomery.

Passing the visitor center on the left, there is the Twin Forts trail marker with a blue dash on a white background.  Turn right and head south on this trail, crossing over the Popolopen Creek. Continue up the hill to Fort Clinton, and follow the pathway to the Trailside Museum and Zoo.  This outdoor museum has artifacts found in the general area from the Revolutionary War time period.  Here it becomes a little difficult through the zoo however there are trail markers for the Appalachian Trail (White).  The 1777 East trail shares the Appalachian Trail until you reach Hessian Lake.  In the summer, weekends are very crowded and loud.  Follow the paved walkway past the lake and between two large parking areas.  Watch for the trail markers.  You eventually pass under Seven Lakes Drive and continue south for 1.5 miles until you reach Doodletown.

At Doodletown you rejoin the 1777 trail and retrace your route the 3 miles back to the parking area.