April‎ 14‎, ‎2024 – Pawling, NY

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: Approximately 3.3 miles

Max elevation: 832 ft.– total elevation gain approximately 230 ft.

Route type: Lollipop Loop

Map: None available

Trailhead parking: 156 Old Rte 55, Pawling, NY 12564

No restrooms on site – gravel lot for 10-12 vehicles.

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Overview:

Nuclear Lake is 1137 acres located on the Boundary of Pawling and Beekman in Dutchess County, NY. The tract of land contains a 55-acre lake that is known for its scenic beauty and diversity of plant life. From 1958 to 1972, the property housed a nuclear fuels processing and research facility and thus received the name “Nuclear Lake.” The Appalachian Trail runs along the western shore of the lake and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful lakes along the entire Appalachian Trail.

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History:

At some point in time, before it was named Nuclear Lake, it was known as Pawling Pond. 

• Between 1934 and 1942, Herbert Teets acquired approximately ten parcels in the towns of Beekman and Pawling, NY, which comprises the large marjority of the current 1137-acre Nuclear Lake tract.
• In 1945, the property was sold to Joseph Chazen and Leland Ryder. The dam creating the lake, was constructed shortly thereafter. In 1953, Chazen sold his interests to Ryder.
• In April 1955, Leland Ryder sold the property to the Southern Dutchess Corporation.
• In March 1958, the property was transferred to the Nuclear Development Corporation of America (NDA).
• In May 1961, NDA transferred the property and its assets to United Nuclear Corporation (UNC), which then entered into a contract with the United States Atomic Energy Commission.
• On December 21, 1972, at approximately 2:55 pm, a chemical explosion occurred at the Plutonium facility, releasing solid and particulate Plutonium Oxide to the lab area. The explosion took place in a plexiglass “glove box” which was used to prepare and examine fuel pellets. After all employees left the building, a second explosion took place. The second explosion is suspected of having blown out two exterior windows on the north side of the building and two exterior doors on the south, spreading radioactive contamination to the outside environment.
• In June 1979, the 1137-acre parcel was sold to the National Park Service for almost $1 million for relocation of the Appalachian Trail. The purchase was part of a plan to move sections of the Appalachian Trail off of paved roads and back onto a wilderness path.
• In 1986, after overseeing its cleanup and receiving a clean bill of health, the Appalachian Trail officially opened in the Nuclear Lake area.

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Trails Overview:

This hike incorporates an old service road, the Appalachian Trail and the Nuclear Lake Loop Trail.

• Service Road – This old road is a nice easy and level walk to the southwestern end of the lake. It is just under a mile from the parking lot to the lake.

• Appalachian Trail – This white blazed trail runs along the western side of Nuclear Lake. It runs on an old woods road then changes to a footpath. 

• Nuclear Lake Loop Trail – This yellow blazed footpath begins at the northern end of the lake and ends at the service road, near the southern end. This trail runs along the eastern side of the lake. This section of trail can be wet, has several stream crossings and requires climbing over some rocks.

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Hike Overview:

This hike has been on my list for years. On the day of this hike, we only saw a few people on the trails. 

There is another smaller trailhead parking lot about a 1/2 mile northwest on Route 55, where the AT crosses the busy road, but I decided to utilize the larger lot which is easier to access. Either trailhead will get you to the lake.

I rated this hike as moderate strictly for the stream crossings and the rocky hillside on the eastern side of Nuclear Lake. The rest of the hike is relatively easy.

Even though no official trail map is available, I used Gaia GPS with the NatGeo Appalachian Trail map layer. 

As you can see from the graph below, there are only a couple of short, steep sections on this hike.

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The Hike:

From the rear of the parking lot, proceed past the gate on the access road, walk past the dam keeper’s house, and past another gate.

It’s a pleasant walk along the access road. You will soon cross over a culvert, where the Nuclear Lake outlet stream flows beneath the road. Just after crossing the culvert, the yellow blazed Nuclear Lake Loop Trail crosses the road, but continue ahead on the access road.

In just under a mile, you will arrive at the southern end of Nuclear Lake. You may want to take a little time to enjoy the beauty of the lake and the surrounding area.

When you are ready to continue, proceed north on the access road which soon comes to a clearing with a view of the lake.

As you continue north on the old road, you will start seeing the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail, which comes in from the left, with more views of Nuclear Lake.

The AT soon leaves the road and runs on a footpath along the lake. There are more views of the lake along the way. As you near the northern end of the lake, you will pass some interesting rock formations and stone walls. 

The trail can be wet and/or muddy along this section.

View of Nuclear Lake from the northern end.

At the northern end of the lake, the Appalachian Trail turns left, but you should continue straight on the yellow-blazed Nuclear Lake Loop Trail, marked by a wooden sign and a yellow blaze on a tree.

The yellow-blazed trail begins to head in a southerly direction, passing by a stone wall and stone ruins.

The trail starts to veer away from the lake and soon crosses the Nuclear Lake inlet stream on rocks, which are partially submerged. This crossing wasn’t too difficult, but it can be during times of high water. This is where your waterproof boots and hiking poles come in handy.

Looking back after crossing the stream.

The trail parallels the stream briefly, then veers away from it. This section can be wet and muddy as well.

The yellow-blazed trail soon climbs the steep hillside, with views of the lake through the trees. Soon the trail levels off and passes through another possible wet section of trail. 

The Nuclear Lake Loop Trail bears right and climbs a small hill, crosses another small stream and soon comes to several small rock outcrops that overlook the lake.

The trail soon traverses an area with large boulders that you may have to climb over. The trail then descends, passes through another wet area, and a short distance later reaches the access road by the culvert from earlier in the hike.

Rock formations on the hillside.

Turn left on the access road, now retracing your steps, and follow the road back to the parking lot, where the hike began.

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Review:

This was a really nice hike in a very scenic area. Nuclear Lake is gorgeous and worth a visit on its own. Hiking any part of the Appalachian Trail is always fun and the interesting rock formations along the lake, really enhance the scenic landscape. After rainfall or Spring thaw, sections of this route may be wet. The stream crossings may be challenging in times of high water. I recommend wearing some waterproof boots. All in all, a good day on the trails.

Pros:

Nuclear Lake, interesting rock formations, well marked trails, scenic landscape, less foot traffic than some of the more popular trails.

Cons:

No official trail map.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

• New York Trail Includes Site of Plutonium Spill – LA Times – July 20, 1986
• Nuclear Lake – Scenic Hudson
• Nuclear Lake – A Resource in Question – 1982 (PDF)
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy – Harlem Valley
• Blast in ’72 fueled fears about Nuclear Lake

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