Brace Mountain

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Brace Mountain
Elevation	2,311 feet (704 m) and 2,304 feet (702 m)
Location	Ancram and North East, New York; Salisbury, Connecticut; Mount Washington, Massachusetts
Range	Taconic Mountains
Coordinates	42°02′39″N 73°29′33″W / 42.04417, -73.4925 and 42°02′20″N 73°29′27″W / 42.03889, -73.49083
Type	Thrust fault; metamorphic rock
Age of rock	Ordovician
Easiest route	South Taconic Trail

Brace Mountain, is a prominent mountain in the south Taconic Mountains. The mountain is located in southwest Massachusetts, northwest Connecticut, and adjacent New York. It has several summits; the two most prominent are Brace Mountain, the high point, 2,311 feet (704 m), and South Brace Mountain 2,304 feet (702 m). The main summit is the highest point in New York's Dutchess County.

The summits and ridgeline form a bald; lower slopes are wooded with northern hardwood tree species. Brace Mountain is notable for its grassy, open summits and views of the Hudson River Valley to the west. The 15.7 mi (25.3 km) South Taconic Trail traverses the mountain. Much of the mountain is located within Taconic State Park and Mount Washington State Forest; other parcels have been conserved by non-profit organizations.

The summits of Brace Mountain and South Brace Mountain are located within the New York town of North East. The north side of the mountain is located in the town of Mount Washington, Massachusetts, and the southeast side is located within Salisbury, Connecticut. The northwest slopes are located within Ancram, New York.

The west side of Brace Mountain drains into the Noster Kill, then into Bash Bish Brook, the Roeliff Jansen Kill, thence the Hudson river and Long Island Sound. The southwest side drains into Webatuck Creek, Tenmile River, thence the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound. The southeast side drains into Riga Lake and South Pond, then into Wachocostinook Brook, Salmon Creek, and the Housatonic River. The north side drains into Ashley Hill Brook, thence Bash Bish Brook, and the Roeliff Jansen Kill.