Breakneck Brook
| Breakneck Brook | |
| Breakneck Valley Brook | |
| brook | |
 Cascade on brook at Undercliff Trail bridge
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| Name origin: From nearby mountain | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| State | New York |
| Region | Hudson Valley |
| County | Putnam |
| Town | Philipstown |
| Source | Surprise Lake |
| - location | Philipstown |
| - elevation | 711 ft (217 m) |
| - coordinates | 41°27′23″N 73°57′17″W / 41.45639°N 73.95472°W |
| Mouth | Hudson River |
| - location | S of Storm King |
| - elevation | 10 ft (3 m) |
| - coordinates | 41°26′18″N 73°58′25″W / 41.43833°N 73.97361°WCoordinates: 41°26′18″N 73°58′25″W / 41.43833°N 73.97361°W |
| Length | 1.7 mi (3 km), SW |
Breakneck Brook, sometimes Breakneck Valley Brook, is a 1.7-mile-long (2.8 km)tributary of the Hudson River located entirely in the Putnam County town of Philipstown, New York, United States. It rises at Surprise Lake and flows southwest towards the Hudson from there, mostly through Hudson Highlands State Park. The name comes from Breakneck Ridge to its north.
Two of the park's hiking trails parallel Breakneck Brook for much of its course. Most of the land the brook flows through was once part of the estate of Edward G. Cornish, chairman of the National Lead Company in the early 20th century. He established a large dairy farm on the property, and ruins of structures built for that purpose, including a large cistern, are still visible along the stream.
The Breakneck flows relatively straight in a southwest direction from its source to its mouth, draining the small and narrow valley between two of the higher mountains in the Hudson Highlands. Most of its 701-foot (214 m) vertical drop takes place in its lower half-mile (800 m).
The brook begins flowing from the outlet of the dam at the southwest end of Lake Surprise, an artificial lake established in the early 20th century to support a small summer camp built around it. It descends gently at first, losing only 40 feet (12 m) from its starting elevation of 711 feet (217 m) in the quarter-mile (400 m) from its source to the boundary between the camp property and Hudson Highlands State Park. The mostly wooded camp property gives way to fully wooded state parkland.
An unpaved road parallels the brook to its northwest. Shortly after it crosses onto state land the blue-blazed Notch Trail, concludes its descent from Breakneck Ridge and joins the wood road. The road and stream draw closer as it reaches a large open area, formerly the reservoir for the dairy farm that once operated in this area. It is only 60 feet (18 m) lower than the stream was at the park boundary.
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Wikipedia