Mount Guardian [Byrdcliffe Theater Parking, 380 Upper Byrdcliffe Road, Woodstock NY] is a hike just outside of a popular town, but we didn’t see anyone else on the trails! We parked outside of the theater and were on our way.
Follow the yellow blazes, signs, and paint on the trails.
The trail begins quite near private property, but is clearly defined. Be vigilant as there are a few spots where you could easily loose your way further down the line. This is a smaller mountain, approximately 1200 feet of elevation gain during the 1.2 mile trail switchbacking to the view points, and a bit further to the summit. Along the way we saw a gurgling stream
and a forest covered with mint green lichen.
We made it up above the tree line to the viewpoint, the Ashokan Reservoir shining in the distance.
From the true summit at 2,100 feet there are no real views or a clearly defined trail.
We did a bit of bushwhacking and found the tallest spot crowned with a rock cairn, and went back the way we came. This was a truly peaceful trail, just us and the woodpeckers!
