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October 15, 2007 Still determined to take some photographs from the top of Bald Mountain, and having been beaten once by lack of time and once by temperature and humidity, we decided on a much longer but gentler hike through the old abandoned village of Doodletown. If we started early in the day we would have several hours to spend on the trail, and the map indicated that there were no steep and rocky switchbacks to hold us up. We have to bear in mind that we're not serious hikers, and we're just starting this activity at a time in our lives when most people are slowing down. So at 11.00 a.m. we left the car at the parking spot on Route 9W at Iona Island. Just as we were getting organised another couple with the same intentions pulled up, but they decided to follow the Cornell Trail which has very steep switchbacks. | 
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Some hikers find suitable walking sticks and deposit them at the trailhead for others when they leave. Gina slected a suitable specimen and headed off.
When Doodletown was becoming a thriving hamlet this road was known as "Gray's Hill" and paved about 1920. It is now the '1777E' trail. From the main road there is a steady climb of about 200 feet until you reach the trail that was once the main road through the abandoned village. | 
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In the 18th Century Doodletown was a mining community, but by 1780 most of the mining activity was finished.
In the 20th century its peacefully secluded location with beautiful scenic views of the Hudson River attracted some wealthy folk from New York City to build magnificent homes here. Finally abandoned in 1965, the ruins are still visible in the undergrowth as you hike along the trail. | 
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There's nothing down here! Move along!