626. Hudson's Cerulean Escarpment
Still working on those "50 Hikes" in the 'Dacks, this one a fairly flat easy 5-mile round trip

Many people are familiar with specific parts of the Hudson River from its source at Lake Tear of the Clouds near the top of Mt. Marcy to the various bridged crossings on its way down through New York City. However, fewer folks may be familiar with this gorgeous stretch of roaring rapids that goes through a steep canyon of bluish banded gneiss about a dozen or so miles northwest of the small village of Minerva. To get there, drive about 2.5 miles north of Minerva on 28N, turn left onto North Woods Club Road, drive 3.8 miles to a one-lane bridge crossing the Boreas River, then another 3 miles to a small sign on the left for the trail to "Blue Ledge", with parking just beyond on the right.

The trail rolls gently along the eastern shore of Huntley Pond and through quiet woodlands before you hear the roaring rapids and see the abrupt cliff face ahead. As you approach the river, there is split where a right turn will take you down a few yards to a sign at the river noting that it is 2.5 miles back to your car. From the sign, go about 20 steps back to the split, then about 44 steps back up the trail you came down to where a hemlock on the right spreads its roots across the trail towards a very low flattish mossy 2-3' rock trailside left (between a longer greener "coffin rock" and a taller "sitting rock". Check its northeast side under a 6" flattish slightly mossy stone for a 2" half-pear-shaped light gray stone with "Blue Ledge" on its back.

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