The trail descends along the Goodnow River to its' confluence with the Hudson. The route then twists along near the Hudson for a mile before climbing back to a trail junction near the start. The loop covers a total of 4.5 miles.
| Directions | Directions From Long Lake, drive east on Route 28n towards Newcomb. As you approach the village, watch for the Essex Chain Lakes sign on the right (south side of the road). Follow the Goodnow Flow Road for five and half miles. The parking area is marked by a small sign on the left. If you cross the Goodnow river bridge (below the dam) you've gone too far. The parking area is just before the bridge. |
| Difficulty | An easy to moderate four and one half mile loop. This trail is marked for skiing, and with sufficient snow intermediate skiers should have no trouble. For hikers this is a easy walk with some climbing. A stretch along the Hudson River offers numerous places for a rest or a picnic. Skiers should Plan on 3 to 4 hours depending on conditions and skill level. Strong hikers will need 2 to 3 hours to complete the loop and families should plan for 4 hours. |
| Family-Friendly | Yes, there are several spots along the Hudson River where you could stop for a break or a picnic. |
| Winter | This trail is marked as a ski route. |
| One Thing to Know | New York State acquired the 19,000 acre Essex Chain Lakes complex from the Nature Conservancy in 2013. The management unit takes its' name from the 8 ponds and small lakes that make up the Essex Chain. You can read the DEC's Unit Management Plan for the area here. |
| DEC Website Page | Essex Chain Lakes Complex |
| Photo Gallery | North Hudson Ski Trail Photo Gallery |
Along the North Hudson Ski Loop. Great conditions, late January 2021.
The North Hudson Ski Loop descends about 200 feet from Goodnow Flow to the Hudson River. Designated as a ski trail (but also a good warm weather hike), most skiers follow the arrows that point the way to a counter-clockwise circuit of the loop. Going that way the trail descends towards the Hudson with the Goodnow river close by on your right. A couple of the drops are of moderate difficulty, but the grades are generally easy.
The middle stretch of the route, along the Hudson River, is the most difficult section for skiers. There are a few short but steep ups and downs that can be tricky. After about .8 miles along the river, the route reaches an abandoned logging road where the climb back to the parking area begins in earnest. This section is wide, and the grade is moderate, but you'll climb nearly 200 feet above the level of the start. The runs down to where the loop rejoins the access trail is one of the best parts of the ski.
Hikers can follow the route in either direction and will probably want to find a nice spot along the river for a break or a picnic.