Taconic State Park: Copake Iron Works to Bash Bish Falls (Blog Hike #960)

Trails: Ironworks and Bash Bish Falls Trails
Hike Location: Taconic State Park, NY and Bash Bish Falls State Park, MA
Geographic Location: Copake Falls, NY (42.11903, -73.51411)
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: An interstate out-and-back to the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts.
New York Park Information: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/83/details.aspx

Massachusetts Park Information: https://www.mass.gov/locations/bash-bish-falls-state-park
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=946776
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: In southeast New York State, take the Taconic State Parkway to SR 23 (exit 88).  Exit and go east on SR 23.  Drive SR 23 east 7.1 miles to SR 22 and turn right on SR 22.  Drive SR 22 south 4 miles to SR 344 and turn left on SR 344.  The park entrance is on the left in another 0.4 miles.  Turn left to enter the park, then angle right to cross an iron grate bridge to reach the Copake Iron Works Historic Site, where this hike begins.

The hike: Stretching from north to south for 150 miles along New York State's eastern boundary, the Taconic Mountains are rich in natural and human history.  Geologically the Taconic Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain, but they have been pushed to their current location from 25 miles to the east: rocks in the Taconic Mountains are older than rocks in the strata beneath the mountains.  The name Taconic comes from a word used by the Delaware people that translates to "in the trees," a testament to the lush forests that grow in these mountains.

            In the 1700's and 1800's the Taconic Mountains were an important source of natural resources.  Wood, marble, limestone, slate, and iron ore were all extracted from these mountains.  The Copake Iron Works at this trailhead produced pig iron from 1848 until 1903, and it is one of the most intact rural iron works in the region.

            Many parks protect parts of the Taconic Mountains including Massachusetts' Mount Greylock State Reservation and Vermont's Mount Equinox, but New York's namesake Taconic State Park may be the best of the lot.  Established in 1926 when New York State purchased the old Copake Iron Works, Taconic State Park today is part of the largest forested area between Virginia and Maine.  The park offers a 106-site developed campground, 18 cabins, swimming in a 40-foot deep flooded iron ore pit, biking on the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, and many miles of hiking trails.  

            For hikers, the park's most popular trail is the Bash Bish Falls Trail.  This trail follows Bash Bish Brook upstream into Massachusetts' adjacent Bash Bish Falls State Park, the namesake of which is the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts.  Many people just hike to the waterfall, but adding a fairly flat 0.5 miles each way lets you start at the old Copake Iron Works, so why not visit the old iron works too?  This hike forms an out-and-back between the old iron works and Bash Bish Falls, thus allowing you to see both fantastic natural scenery and interesting human history all in one moderate hike.

Iron Works Museum at trailhead

Copake blast furnace

            Either before or after your hike, you will want to stop in the Iron Works Museum, a brick building that is the old blowing engine house.  Today this building serves as the Visitor Center for the historic site, and it offers a film and exhibits about the site.  Across the gravel road from the Visitor Center stands the old blast furnace.  A large recently-built shelter protects the furnace from the elements, and the furnace is in great shape considering its age.

Start of Ironworks Trail

            When you are done admiring the furnace and reading the interpretive signs, exit the rear (east side) of the historic area to pick up the Ironworks Trail.  A small brown sign that reads "Trail to Bash Bish Falls" marks the start of the Ironworks Trail.  The wide dirt/gravel trail heads into the woods and climbs slightly before assuming a more level grade.  More remnants of the iron works can be seen here including the bed of the railroad that served Copake and a couple of ponds that supplied water for the furnace.

Day Pond, water source for iron furnace

            After hiking a narrow section of trail above Bash Bish Brook, you reach the east end of the Ironworks Trail where it intersects the park's cabin road at 0.4 miles.  To continue to Bash Bish Falls, turn left on the gravel road, cross Bash Bish Brook on the road's bridge, and climb slightly to reach the main parking lot for Bash Bish Falls on SR 344.  Most people start their hike to Bash Bish Falls here.  Walk to the far (east) side of the parking lot and pick up the wide gravel Bash Bish Falls Trail to join them.

Start of Bash Bish Falls Trail

            The trail dips slightly before beginning the persistent gradual to moderate climb toward Bash Bish Falls.  A couple of benches overlook Bash Bish Brook, which cascades and flows pleasantly to the right.  The beautiful mature forest is dominated by maple, birch, and pine trees with a few redbud trees mixed in.  Overall, the ambiance on this trail is sublime.

Bash Bish Brook

            At 1.1 miles, you cross the state line into Massachusetts.  Technically you also exit New York's Taconic State Park and enter Massachusetts' Bash Bish Falls State Park, but the scenery and trail conditions do not change significantly.  1000 feet later, you reach the overlook area for Bash Bish Falls.

Crossing the state line

            Bash Bish Falls is a tall rocky waterfall that drops and cascades for about 80 feet via several lines into a large plunge pool.  The trail to the base of the falls was closed on my visit, but I still got a good view from the overlook area.  This overlook may be the most scenic spot I visited on my September 2023 hiking trip to Massachusetts, so take some time to enjoy the scenery.

Bash Bish Falls

            Due to recent trail closures, the trail ends at the waterfall overlook, so next you have to retrace your steps 1.3 miles to the old Copake Iron Works to complete your hike.  Before you leave, several other buildings associated with the old iron works beckon your exploration.  Also, the iron works' old ore bed has been turned into a swimming area, and it sits behind the park office if temperatures are warm enough to warrant taking a dip.