The Homestead Trail goes from Cook Road, a seasonal road in Essex, to the Beaver Flow Trail where you can continue south to Walker Road and the Bobcat Trail.  Alternatively, you can turn left and follow Beaver Flow Trail back to Cook Road where you go left and walk on the road about ¾ mile back to the trailhead.

From the Cook Road Trailhead the trail goes along an old stone wall for about 100 feet, crosses a small brook, and then follows an old road on a gentle downhill slope through an attractive well-managed forest owned by Shirley Forest, Inc.  The trail leaves the old road, goes through woods to a stream crossing, and then passes through woods before meeting the Beaver Flow Trail.  Follow it south (right) toward Walker Road and the Bobcat Trail or north (left), taking you back to Cook Road where you turn left and hike west on the road to where you began.

The Homestead Trail can be accessed from the south by following the Beaver Flow from its trailhead on Walker Road and hiking about a mile to its junction with the Homestead Trail. 

It can also be reached from Beaver Flow Trail’s North Trailhead on Cook Road by following the trail to its junction with Homestead Trail, turn right and hike up to Cook Road, turn right and go about ¾ mile to where you began.

For those hiking south on the Boquet Mountain Trail, when you get to Cook Road, continue across the road and you’ll be on the Homestead Trail.

Directions to the Trailhead:  From the Whallonsburg Grange on Rt. 22, take Cook Road which is directly across the road from the Grange.  Go about 2.6 miles to the trailhead, which will be on your left.

• Best Feature of Trail:  Crossing a creek which is flowing over a smooth rock surface.  Another feature is that the trail provides an easy walk or cross-country ski through an attractive forest.
• Sights and Natural Features: This pretty trail travels through well-managed forest along an old and sometimes barely discernable road.  The forest is a typical mixed Champlain Valley of hardwoods, pines, and hemlocks. 
• Trail Length: This trail is about one mile one way, two miles round-trip.
• Trail Type: There and back but can be a loop by taking Beaver Flow Trail back to Cook Road.
• Trail Difficulty: Mild, easy hike.  This is an enjoyable cross-country ski trail.
• Trail Condition: Coming from the north, the trail is on top of an old rock wall, it then passes over a small creek and follows an old road downhill until it turns and passes through woods.  There is a creek crossing which can be difficult with high water.  It then connects to the Beaver Flow Trail.  It is in good shape, can be a little overgrown in summer and wet in the wet season.
• Parking: Roadside Parking
• Animal Signs:  Send us emails of the animals, birds, and animal tracks you see so we can include them in this description.
• Location: Essex, NY 12936
• Last Updated: September 18, 2011