New York · Hiking

Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge Trail

Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
0.5 mi
one way
22 ft
climb
314 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge Trail is a short, moderate hike in New York, about half a mile long and rising just 22 feet from start to finish. It is a point-to-point route, and the nearest town is Hawthorne Hill, about 1.3 miles away. The trail is a low-elevation outing, with the high point at 314 feet and the low at 274 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.21 miles in, with a grade of 6 percent. Bikes are allowed, so it works for a ride as well as a walk. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Albany show May highs around 71°F and September highs around 74°F, while winter brings regular snow days from December through February. The trail sits among a cluster of other routes. Bedspring Ridge Trail is just 0.1 mile away, and the Shaker Gorge Scenic Loop and the Orange Loop - Northbound are each about 0.3 mile off. The East Bluffs Trail is roughly 0.6 mile away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Whitmyer-Shaker Gorge Trail

    Best months: April and June–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 16°

      12 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      36° / 18°

      11 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      12 wet · 6 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      71° / 48°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      79° / 57°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 62°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 53°

      10 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 41°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 32°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 23°

      13 wet · 7 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Albany Ap, NY, 4.9 mi away at 312 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors