The Area

Stissing Mountain
Visible from just about anywhere in the Village of Pine Plains, Stissing Mountain rises 1,403 feet from the flat fields surrounding it. Stissing Mountain can be climbed in less than an hour (beware: the ascent is steep) and offers some of the best scenery in the Hudson Valley. It is the tallest peak for miles, and has unobstructed views of as far as the Catskills to the west and the Taconic ridge in the east. It can be reached by taking Route 82 to Lake Road in Pine Plains.

Stissing Lake Recreation Park
The mountain is located in the Stissing Lake Recreation Park which includes lake for swimming and boating, basketball courts, playing fields, areas for roller blading, skate boarding and bike riding. A 450-acre forest is also open to the public with permits.

Thompson Pond Basin
At the foot of Stissing Mountain is the ancient Thompson Pond Basin, formed nearly 15,000 years ago when a melting ice chunk created a depression, or kettle. Over time, the kettle divided into three interconnected water bodies, including Thompson Pond, which forms the headwaters of a major tributary of the Hudson River. The basin's pond, cattail marsh, swamp and upland forest support a wondrously diverse array of wildlife.

Thompson Pond Nature Preserve
Located at the foot of Stissing Mountain on Lake Road, Pine Plains. Open dawn to dusk for passive recreational and educational uses, such as cross-country skiing, hiking and bird study. There are hiking trails alongside the 100-acre pond. With more than 245 identified species of land plants, 142 wetland plant species, 162 species of birds and 27 mammal species, the preserve is a wonder to explore. There are several trails around the pond. For stunning views of the area, take the steep trail leading to a historic fire tower on the top of Stissing Mountain.

The American Museum of Natural History (NYC) recognized the uniqueness of the Thompson Pond-Stissing Mountain ecosystem by using it as the setting for a three-dimensional exhibit that exists today. Designated a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 1973, it is considered an excellent example of a calcareous wetland (calcareous means it's limy).

Fall Foliage
Breathtaking views of the magnificent fall foliage, a mosaic of reds, yellows, greens and browns is best seen during the peak season which tends to be the second and third weeks of October.

Winter Skiing
Stissing Mountain Multiple Use Area is a wonderful idea for a winter family outing. The many small hills are suitable for novice use and the snow covered terrain makes for good cross country skiing.

Spring Blossoming
The conservancy welcomes guests to its adjacent Thompson Pond, a state migratory bird refuge, at the foot of Stissing Mountain south of Stissing Lake. The trail around the 500-acre Thompson Pond preserve is about three miles; it is a mostly level two-hour walk. But you are welcome to spend the day to amongst the birds, flowers, and trees.

Summer Swimming
For the town beach, go south four-tenths of a mile from the traffic light on Route 82, turn right at the firehouse on Lake Road for a short distance, then right on Poplar Street and left on Stissing Avenue for six-tenths of a mile.