Flirtation Walk - West Point, New York
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 23.845 W 073° 57.324
18T E 587323 N 4583402
A walk along the Hudson River where a Cadet will not get written up for PDA (public display of affection) at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Waymark Code: WM48EG
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 07/21/2008
Views: 97
FLIRTATION WALK, a gravel and rock foot trail, leave Cullum Road just
north of the Bachelors Building and winds three quarters of a mile down the
cliff to the river, past the lighthouse at Gee's Point, the beach where the
western end of the great chain was anchored, the site of the chain battery , and
the remains of the earthworks of Fort Clinton, and ends at Battle Monument.
Just before passing the lighthouse the path is overhung by Kissing Rock,
so called because, according to tradition, if a cadet passes underneath with his
best girl and fails to kiss her, the rock will fall and crush them both.- New York: A Guide
to the Empire State, West Point section, pg 367.
Flirtation walk is much as described though the lighthouse is really only a
beacon now with an very distinctive sound signal. The coordinates listed
are for the north entrance to Flirtation Walk which is not mentioned. This
entrance at the river level features the Jobes-Kelleher Memorial Arch which was
added since the Guide was written and commemorates two former cadets who were
killed in World War II.
I can only assume that Kissing Rock is still standing. It was was still
standing 28 years ago the last time I walked the Walk and I always made sure I
did not get crushed. ;-) (See waymark
WM486N)