5.3 miles | 150 ft gain | Difficulty: Easy | Rating ★★★

The plan was to hike Mount Beacon, through the casino ruins and up to the fire tower. We got as far as the top of the metal steps and I couldn’t shake the growing shin pain in my right leg. Was it from yesterday’s run? I’m not sure. But what was clear was that hiking such a steep climb, starting from a place of pain, was probably not a good idea. Beacon will have to wait.

Back at the car, we searched for local hikes that seemed both interesting with little gain. We stumbled upon Dennings point, just a few minutes drive down to the waterfront (old) industrial area to Madam Brett Park.

Walk about 50 feet east from the parking lot and you’re treated to fantastic cascading waterfalls. If you’re in the area, even if you’re not prepared or want to go on a hike, the mild, flat path takes little effort and is worth the view. Heading west, you skirt around some more industrial building with an impressive collection of broken glass that shines in the sunlight. The trail weaves along the Fishkill Creek, eventually dumping into the Hudson.

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We continued straight first, along an out-and-back rail trail that took us to the Beacon-Newburgh ferry landing. On the way back, we hugged the shore a bit more, walking along stretches of beach, scattered with sand and stones.

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Then we continued to Denning’s Point, a peninsula that juts out a little into the Hudson with some remaining structures, including the Dennings Point Brick Works. The building looked like it was being restored to hold a future Environmental Education Center. A bit onto the trail, we pasted another remaining structure.

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Sadly, we were unable to complete the peninsula’s loop, as the trail was closed at the southern tip for environmental regrowth. We continued back the way we came, eventually reaching the car. All and all, not a lost day at all.