Hook Mountain Upper Nyack Trail Revisited

Nyack Beach State Park /
Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Upper Nyack Trail: White blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.7 Miles

Pros: Nice river views, good climb, great views
Cons: Urban area below mountain
Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tGkNkdJNjcWxkjAW9

I hike up this new trail a few years ago, and it was a really enjoyable trail from the riverfront of the Hudson River up to the top of Hook Mountain. This was a nice late fall day and I decided to return. I parked at the main parking area at Nyack Beach State Park, and took the Upper Nyack Trail as it snaked up to the Plateau Road and then on the new trail area. This area had the trail cut into talus from the above cliffs, and the trail mostly skirts the bottom of the talus.

I continued along the trail and then bushwhacked up the area to the Long Path as a shortcut route. I then took the Long Path to the first view which faces south, and then continued up to the top summit view of Hook Mountain, with a 360 degree view from the top. I then went down on the Yellow Trail that goes down to Route 9W and then cut back to the Long Path, which I took all the way to the intersection of the Upper Nyack Trail. I then took the road to Nyack Beach back to my car.

Map of the Route

Hudson River at Nyack Beach

Beginning of the Upper Nyack Trail

View Looking Up the Cliff at Hook Mountain

Late Fall Foliage on the Upper Nyack Trail

Bushwhack Route to the Long Path

Hudson River from the Long Path

First View on Hook Mountain

Tappan Zee Bridge

View of Rockland County Ascending to the Top of Hook Mountain

View on top of Hook Mountain

Start of the Upper Nyack Trail

Green Pond Harriman Late Fall

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze
Island Pond Woods Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:20
Estimated Distance: 2.8 miles

Pros: Quiet scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Figue 8 Loop

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HtuExHDEghmKXfcV9

It was late fall and the weather was colder than usual, with heavy winds. In fact I found out after that the area was under a high wind advisory. I had meant to go on a longer hike and visit the Boston Mine, but due to the uncomfortable wind conditions I opted to make the hike shorter.

Green Pond is a very scenic area of the park. It's in a remote, quiet part, and is a small, natural lake surrounded by foxtail phragmites. Over the ridge to the west of Green Pond is a nice view facing West towards Sterling Forest. 

I parked on Kanwauke Road at the White Bar Trailhead, and took the trail north to the Dunning Trail. The Dunning Trail goes alongside the northern and western flank of Green Pond, with rocky overlooks and an interesting rock overhang. The trail then climbs up the western ridge and ends at the White Bar Trail, which has been parallel. I took the White Bar Trail a short distance north to the overlook, and then took the White Trail back on its parallel route to the Dunning Trail to Island Pond Road. Island Pond Road is a woods road that ends right near Kanawauke Road when its connects with the White Bar Trail. I then continued along the White Bar Trail back to my car at the trailhead.

Map of the Route

Hunting Information for the New Hunting Policy in the Park

Map Route at the Trailhead

Greenery on White Bar Trail

Green Pond

View Near Valley of Boulders

Hemlock and Rhododendrons on Island Pond Road