The toughest hundo in NY? This might be it. If you're looking for a soul-crushing, life-changing runventure hundo with incredible views and quad-thrashing climbs and descents.... this is the FKT for you. This rugged, technical mountain traverse is 96 miles long with 22,000 ft of climbing and summits 18 mountains on the east and west side of the Hudson. With the exception of 12 road miles and 4 miles of jeep roads, the rest of the traverse is on technical singletrack trails. This traverse hits all of the highlights in the Hudson Highlands, including: Anthony's Nose, the Appalachian Trail, Bull Hill, Cornish Estate Ruins, Breakneck Ridge, Mt. Beacon, Fiskhkill Ridge, the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge, Storm King Mountain, Black Rock Forest, Popolopen-Tourne, Fort Mongomery, Doodletown and Bear Mountain. (Personal note from Kim Levinsky, route creator and Race Director for Sassquad Trail Runners: I made a 5-page runners' manual that includes gpx, detailed turn-by-turns (73 of 'em) and gps for easy crew-access points. Happy to share, just shoot me an email at trailpartydirector@sassquadtrailrunning.com )
Comments
I will be attempting this route Saturday October 14, 2023 and completing the route Sunday October 15, 2023. The mileage and vertical gain will be slightly more as a bridge was washed away due to flooding at the base of Popolopen Tourne. The reroute will add about 3 miles and an unknown amount of vertical gain.
The other reroute that needs to take place is due to damaged and closed trails due to storm damage at Bear Mountain. Instead of climbing up the Appalachian Trail to the summit and taking the trails back to the finish area I will be summiting Bear Mountain using Seven Lakes Drive and the Perkins Memorial Drive while returning on the same route. The Vertical gain should be similar and the distance will cover 8.5-9 miles which should be similar or more to the original route.
Other than these editions and additions the entire route will be the same.
It will be a Supported Attempt.
You're gonna crush it, Justin! See you at the finish!