The Rockefeller
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| GoogMap: Visitors’ Center The parking lot is just up and left from Swan Lake. It’s $6. |
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To the left is a 11.9 miler I ran from Sleepy Hollow High School, the first portion of which is on the OCA to Rockwood Hall. I then headed into the Rockies themselves when I got back to the bridge across Route 117. If you look just above the 7 mile mark, the stretch in which I turn south again is a brutal series of switchbacks. Doing the Rockwood Hall loop beforehand gets decent mileage in before you dive into the Rockies, which are tough because of their hills.
From now through October, runners are BANNED from Swan Lake and Brothers' Path (the path around Swan Lake) on week-ends and holidays from 11 to 5.
The Rockies has very few flat stretches. There are loads of little ups-and-downs, often in switchback format. So it is surprisingly tough for long rus, but the downs allow for recovery. But you can’t beat the surface and just the feel of the place. Also, there can be wide temperature differences, as some areas, such as thirteen bridges trail, don’t get much sun and are near water.
I used to be afraid of getting lost here, but with more frequent visits I have a sense of the various landmarks and where they are in relation to where I want to be. I still get lost on about half my visits, but if I’m on a long run, it doesn’t matter early. As long as I can find, say, the Visitors’ Center and I’m in my last 20 minutes, I know I’ll make it out. But that was after some trial-and-error. While it is still a good idea to hook up with folks for at least the first few visits, the various trails are now marked with blue markers at each corner, including with arrows to the OCA. It makes sense to map out where you plan to go beforehand, and then just remember the turns. Best to get a sense of the place by reviewing the Friends of Rockefeller Park Map so that even if you don’t know where you are exactly you have a sense and know in which direction you need to go to get where you need to get.
It’s been pointed out by NYC Running Girl that the only place for water on this trail is at the visitor’s center, off route 117, so you may want to bring and stash your own. (Being cheap, I don’t park there because there is a fee.) But there are also many small springs that can at least be used for dousing yourself with nice, cool water.
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If you choose to go alone you should get the Friends of Rockefeller Park Map. One caveat about this map: in the open area between Sleepy Hollow Road and the OCA, there are actually several very nice trails that cut between open fields, albeit with hills. The picture of the runner to the left is taken in that area as is the one of the two below. It’s the light brown areas here with the OCA the white line in the center to the left and the diagonal line above that.
You will see that you start the run in the same way that you do for the OCA Northern. Eventually you᾿ll see a trail to your right; that’s the Rockefeller. You also hit it either right before or right after you cross Route 117 (if you cross, you turn right into the Estate instead of left to continue on the OCA.
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I recommend a 4.5 sidetrip along the OCA and an extension of the Rockies to Rockwood Hall. MAP. There’s a bridge across Rte 117. On the north end, a right turn takes you down to Thirteen Bridges Trail. A left is the OCA. It’s easy to follow. After you cross Rte 9, there’s a hairpin left-hander that takes you down a switchback. Just follow it down and around the field. After the switchbacks on the southern end, run through what remains of the mansion and keep to your left until you rejoin the trail on which you came in. I include elevation on the map because both of the switchbacks are steep. This is recommended for early in a run, to be gotten out of the way, unless you really want to suffer late.
Running at Rockefeller may be as woodsy as you’ll easily find in the area. But one point of this site is to identify trails that may be less-known. For those in southern Westchester, the issue often is whether it is worth the trip to go to Rockefeller. I hope that some of my thoughts will allow consideration of alternatives, to Rockefeller on the one hand and to roads on the other.
Here’s Richard Kiplagat of Kenya and Iona talking about working out at the Rockies:
Directions
By Car
Popular parking spots are on this Map.
By Public
The Tarrytown Station is at the lower left of this Map.
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Last edited on ... Sept. 7, 2009
