Westmoreland Sanctuary Loop Hike

Westmoreland Sanctuary is a 625-acre tract located in the middle of suburban Westchester County. The sanctuary is sandwiched between I-684 and NY 22, both of which are heavily traveled roads, and the noise of the traffic can be heard for part of the hike. However, for the most part, the trails lead through quiet, secluded areas, with unusual geologic formations and numerous stone walls – remnants of the area’s former agricultural use. The elevation difference between the highest and lowest points in the sanctuary is only 340 feet, but there are many ups and downs, especially in the latter portion of the hike. Trails in Westmoreland Sanctuary are blazed with plastic markers with arrows (some of the yellow markers lack arrows), and trail intersections are marked with wooden signs giving the trail names.

From the parking area, stop at the kiosk to obtain a map, then proceed uphill on a paved road, passing the sanctuary’s museum – the reconstructed Third Church of Bedford, originally built in a nearby location in 1783. Turn right onto the red-blazed Easy Loop Trail, which begins to the right, opposite the museum. The Easy Loop Trail descends on a winding footpath, passing an outdoor classroom to the right.

At a four-way intersection marked with signposts, proceed ahead on the white-blazed Catbird Trail, which soon begins to parallel a stone wall, crossing it twice. At the next intersection, turn right onto the yellow-blazed Spruce Hill Trail, which climbs a hill. When there are no leaves on the trees, you can see the hills in the distance to the left (east).

After descending from the crest of the rise, you’ll reach a T-intersection. Here, you should turn right onto the orange-blazed Hemlock Trail, which crosses a stream on a wooden bridge and heads uphill on a woods road. After crossing a seasonally wet area, it begins to descend, passing many unusually shaped rock outcrops which jut out of the ground at acute angles.

At the next intersection, turn right onto the yellow-blazed Cole Kettle Trail, which is in the shape of a “lollipop”-loop. After a short distance, you’ll reach the start of the loop proper. Turn right to follow the loop in a counter-clockwise direction. You’ll soon come to a spot where a small wetland is visible below to the left, with imposing cliffs towering above you to the right. This is a good spot to stop for a break.

Continue ahead on the Cole Kettle Trail, which passes through several wet areas and crosses a few streams on bridges. The trail runs close to the sanctuary boundary in this area, and private homes may be visible to the right, through the trees. Soon, the trail turns sharply left and crosses a wetland on a boardwalk. This wetland is part of Cole Kettle, a hollow created by the melting of a huge block of ice left behind by a glacier.

At the end of the boardwalk, the trail turns left and begins to run along the side of a hill, with the wetland to the left. After descending on a woods road to reach a small pond at the north end of the wetland, the Cole Kettle Trail turns right and once again approaches the sanctuary boundary. It crosses two streams on wooden bridges and heads gently uphill to reach the start of the loop.

Turn right to return to the start of the Cole Kettle Trail. Here, at the T-intersection, you should turn right onto the orange-blazed Hemlock Trail, and follow it to its terminus at a four-way intersection. Continue ahead on the red-blazed Laurel Trail, which briefly climbs through a narrow ravine, then descends steadily to reach an open, grassy area, where the yellow-blazed BRLA Trail (an equestrian trail) crosses.

A short distance beyond, you’ll reach another four-way intersection. Here, you should turn right onto the white-blazed Brookside Trail, which heads gently downhill, parallel to a stream. At the base of the descent, the Brookside Trail crosses a bridge over the stream, reaching the lowest point in the sanctuary (390 feet), and ends at a junction with the Veery and Fox Run Trails.

Continue ahead, now following the orange-blazed Fox Run Trail, which climbs steeply, then levels off, with a massive rock outcrop towering above you to the left. The trail bears left and continues around the outcrop, soon reaching a T-intersection, where you should turn right onto the yellow-blazed Sentry Ridge Trail.  (Note: While going up the Fox Run Trail, you may see yellow blazes directly ahead. These are markers of the BRLA Trail and should not be followed. Do not turn right onto a yellow trail until you reach the T-intersection marked with wooden signs.)

fter crossing the BRLA Trail, you’ll pass, to the left, interesting quartz outcrops. Soon, the Sentry Ridge Trail comes out near the edge of a steep slope, with views through the trees over the hills to the east. (The road in the valley below is NY 22.) The trail now begins a steady descent on a winding footpath. Near the base of the descent, it once again crosses the BRLA Trail, levels off on an old woods road, and soon reaches a T-intersection with the white-blazed Lost Pond Trail.

Turn right and follow the Lost Pond Trail, which crosses the outlet of the pond on a bridge and briefly follows the shore of the pond. Soon, you’ll come to a bench that overlooks the pond – a good place to take a short rest. The trail now moves away from the pond and climbs gently to reach a four-way intersection. Here, you should turn right to continue on the Lost Pond Trail, which now climbs rather steeply. As the grade moderates, a short unmarked side trail to the right leads to Scout Pond, with a blind for viewing wildlife.

At the next intersection, turn right onto the yellow-blazed Wood Thrush Trail, which climbs steadily, then follows along a ridge. After reaching the highest point in the sanctuary (730 feet), the trail bears left and begins to descend, passing a wetland to the right. Continuing to descend, the trail goes through a grove of large, stately trees.

With Bechtel Lake in view ahead, the Wood Thrush Trail ends at a junction with the red-blazed Easy Loop Trail. Continue ahead towards the lake, passing a huge tulip tree on the way. A shelter at the lakeshore is a good spot to contemplate this pleasant lake.

Return to the Wood Thrush/Easy Loop Trail junction and turn left onto the Easy Loop Trail, which climbs away from the lake and soon passes through a white pine grove, with many trees damaged in a recent storm. After passing a small cemetery to the right, the trail bears left and heads towards the sanctuary museum. The parking lot where the hike began is directly below.