The Rockefeller
| There’s a standard run from Sleepy Hollow High School on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8:00 or 8:30. |
| Parking Options |
| GoogMap: Visitors’ Center The parking lot is just up and left from Swan Lake. It’s $6. |
On Sat., November 8, there will the inaugural Rockies 5K Run. Field limited to 125. I don't know what the course is. ENTRY (PDF). Check WTC for updates. Stella Medina, who's in charge, gives a description (check the Friends of Rockefeller Park Map):
the course starts and ends at the intersection of Eagle Hill and Pocantico River Trails. It goes north (uphill :) in one big loop to 13 bridges trail, then eventually that turns into Gory Brook Trail (flat to downhill), over the little wooden bridge then back over the stone arch bridge to home. I'll have cones to mark the course. There's maps of the course posted at the Rockie's office and at the Westchester Road Runner store.
All on the west side of Sleepy Hollow Road. So you go down the much-hated switchbacks at the north end of 13 bridges. I'd say tough start, fast stretch and a nice test over the final mile or so. No spikes since the purpose of the race is in part to benefit trail maintenance, and spikes would eat up the trail.
Check-in up at the Visitor's Center.
May 18: There are signs as Tony of the Run-A-Long-Way blog reported signs to limit access to Swan Lake. NY State Parks is trying to keep larger groups of runners from Swan Lake and the area around the Visitors’s Center. The rationale is akin to keeping walkers out of a track’s inside lane; there are areas where there are high volumes of people just strolling and they want those people to do so in peace. Plenty of other places to run. This is a major cross-road, so I asked Tony about alternatives. He wrote back:
No alternative route, no direction at all...just the signs posted where the trail starts by the Visitor Center, and elsewhere facing away from Swan Lake (so that you can see them if you approach the lake from different directions). Bascially, from the main parking lot, groups of 3 or more, if they adhere to the posted sign, would have to go down the 3/4 mile hill towards Sleepy Hollow Road.
I’ve added comments on Rockwood Hall.
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.
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.
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. 29, 2008
