Rand's View Out and Back

This is a simple route to navigate as it entirely follows the Appalachian Trail to Rand's View and back. The trailhead is very easy to spot as it is right across from parking at the Upper Falls Village Recreation Area lot (41.96369, -73.37222).From the trailhead, it's a long but steady climb of about 800 feet in just under two miles to Mount Prospect. The first half mile or so of this section is fairly easy through woods and across a small but scenic open grass field. From here, the trail averages about 10% grade for the next 1.5 miles to the Mount Prospect viewpoint. There are some steep sections but just when you think you need a break it levels out for a bit before getting steep once again. This area also traverses some rocky ledges that can be slippery when wet or icy.From Mount Prospect, the trail descends about 250 feet for 0.7 miles to Rand's View. The only potential wrong turn can happen at about overall mile 2.6, where a trail veers to the left towards the Limestone Shelter. It is clearly marked with signage and blue blazes, but if you are not paying attention it's easy to veer the wrong way.From the sign it is only a few hundred yards to Rand's View. If the weather is nice, bring a blanket and have a picnic, you'll want to stay for as long as humanly possible before heading back to your vehicle.

This was not always a quiet section of forest. Not long ago charcoal was made here to feed the blast furnaces used to produce iron ore. The trailhead is also near the start of a 0.25-mile history trail featuring the industrial heritage of Falls Village.