Taxter Ridge Park Preserve – Carriage Trail, Water Tower, Danny Gold Blue Trail, Yellow Trail

Hiked June 7, 2020

2.9 mi
191 ft gain
01:11:44
29 photos

Taxter Ridge Park Preserve – Carriage Trail, Water Tower, Danny Gold Blue Trail, Yellow Trail

On my second visit to Taxter Ridge Park Preserve, I again started at the Taxter Road lot, but decided to take the Danny Gold (blue) trail to the southwest (left) this time.

A nice, well-marked trail took me out to the Mount Pleasant Lane parking lot in what seemed like no time. I was determined not to end my trip so quickly, so as I started heading back, I turned left (north west) on an unmarked trail entrance I had passed earlier. This took me up a paved path to the Tarrytown water tower.

I followed the paved path from the water tower all the way down to the end where it meets up with Carriage Trail. I took photos of several homes just finished or in the process of being built along this road. There are some ery large and amazing properties in this development!

I hugged the fence line along the park’s northern border where there’s an unmarked path that eventually connects back up with the blue Danny Gold trail. It was fun exploring this remote area of the park and only encountered one other person along the way.

From there, I mostly followed the trail, taking just one detour on a trail that was unmarked but eventually placed me back on the right path to Danny Gold (blue), back to yellow, and back to the parking lot.

It was fun exploring the western and southern parts of the park I had not seen on my first visit. The boundary between the park and the residential areas is very thin, but I can understand someone wanting to buy property near an area that most likely will not see any development for hundreds of years (we hope!).

Photos

GPS Route & Elevation

Loads an interactive map; map tiles are served by the U.S. Geological Survey, which receives your IP address. Learn more about maps and your privacy

548 ft474 ft400 ft

More hikes

Taxter Ridge Park Preserve – Woody Crest, Danny Gold Blue Trail, Orange Trail

2.8 mi
369 ft gain
01:28:27

I went partially off trail on my third visit, following the eastern border along I-287, then to the west eventually coming across a cool stream that abuts a private property. I followed the park's exterior as it passed a murky iron-shaped pond on more private land, complete with a rowboat sitting idly on the shore. Overall it was a fun hike and I enjoyed going off script to see parts of the park that aren't normally seen. I will come back at some point and spend more time in that northwest corner that has a lot of goodies!

Taxter Ridge Park Preserve – Yellow Trail, Woody Crest, Danny Gold Blue Trail, Orange Trail

2.5 mi
325 ft gain
01:05:25

This was my first hike at Taxter Ridge Park Preserve and my first hike overall in several years. From Taxter Road, the yellow trail starts in a lush green area, heading up a moderate slope. There are shaded areas and sunlit openings. There are several downed trees, shrubs, and other greenery. It's an easy trail and is clearly marked. Be sure to checkout the brick remnants of "Woody Crest", a former home for handicapped children, along the way. I see a lot of beauty in this park and will be back to explore the other trails and areas.

The Irvington Woods – Hermit’s Grave, Macy’s Monument, Irvington Reservoir

5.75 mi
846 ft gain
02:29:41

After a long break, I returned to one of my favorite hikes: The Irvington Woods. The park packs in reservoirs, ponds, wetlands, Hermit’s Grave, rock outcrops, overlooks, monuments, carriage trails, and plenty of elevation change. My route linked the blue, red, yellow, and purple loops, passing Hermit’s Wetland, Macy’s Monument and Terrace, Sunset Rock, Irvington Reservoir, Marshall’s Pond, and Ice Pond. It was a beautiful, varied 5.8-mile hike through grasses, pines, open trails, water views, steady climbs, and sunny mid-70s spring weather overall.