I’m always looking for new places to walk so I was happy to find out about these two redoubts overlooking the Hudson. Go south from Cold Spring on Route 9d and turn left onto Snake Hill Road. Not too far down is a good sized parking area on the right. If you see the Walter Hoving Home sign on the left you’ve gone too far.

This is the North Redoubt. There’s not much to see, but the views of the Hudson are spectacular from about 800ft up. After I finished there I followed the Old Cannon Trail towards the South Redoubt. Unfortunately It was just a little bit far to visit in the time I had available so I turned back. The South Redoubt could wait for another day.

According to Fortwiki:

A Revolutionary War Redoubt established in 1779 in present day Putnam County, New York. Abandoned at the end of the war in 1783.

Part of Fortress West Point. One of two redoubts and associated gun batteries built as a part of the final expansion of Fortress West Point in 1779. Construction underway by July 1779 included the redoubt with a bombproof, magazine and three associated gun batteries. Included raised parapets on the side facing the South Redoubt for protection if the South Redoubt fell to the enemy. Required a complement of 150 men.

Described by Major General Benedict Arnold on 25 Sept 1780: “built of stone four feet high; above the stone, wood filled in with earth, very dry, no ditch, a bomb proof, 3 batteries w/o the fort, a poor abatis”.

Three external batteries mounting three 18 pounders and three 12 pounders: Battery 1 faced Northeast, Stone scarp wall; Battery 2 faced Northwest, 8′ epaulment on Southwest flank; Battery 3 faced South, prevented assault from South Redoubt.

Trail marker.

The first part of the walk follows this picturesque stream. I couldn’t find a spot that wasn’t to a greater or lesser extend obstructed by branches (see the blurred branches in the foregroud).

All that remains: grass covered mounds.

Harley enjoys the view