Taconic State Park, NY
Bash Bish Falls State Park, MA

Hiking Trails:
South Taconic Trail: White blaze
Bash Bish Falls Trail: Unblazed
Iron Works Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles

Pros: Good views, very scenic part of park
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KWxPyDj3N6fdaE9B8

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick

I went on a camping trip to Taconic State Park. It was my first time in the area, so we we went to explore the local area. We hiked from the campground to Bash Bish Falls, across the state line from New York into Massachusetts. (The mountain range extends into both states.)

We took the South Taconic Trail from the campground to the parking area for Bash Bish Falls, and took the Bash Bish Falls trail up to the falls. This is one of the most popular falls in the state of Massachusetts, as well as the state's tallest waterfalls. The falls are shortly after the state line, which is marked on the trail.

After reaching the falls area, we noticed the path down to the falls from the view was closed off. Apparently, during Covid, huge crowds descended to the falls area creating hazards so the park decided to close the path down to the falls. This is disappointing as this was a weekday that was less busy and there was no reason to have it closed while it was very quiet there.

We turned around after the falls and then crossed the brook at the falls parking area and went on the Iron Works Trail, which explores the history of this area. We passed the furnace and the house that has a museum of the area. We then continued back to the Quarry Lake and then back to our campsite.

Map of the Route

Trail from Campground

South Taconic Trail

Parking Lot by Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Brook

State Line of NY and Mass

Bash Bill Falls

 

Copake Iron Works  Signs

Sign by the Fri

Bash Bridge Brook from the Bridge

Information Plaque about Slag from the Mining

Rudd Pond

Black Rock Mountain & Surebridge Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Nurian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Good views, very scenic part of park
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vSSLZVHaEUL4KyMt8

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick
Jacob Baldinger

It was a hot and steamy summer day with very high humidity. It rained during the hike, making for wet and slippery conditions. We parked at Kanawauke Road at the trailhead at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, and took the trail north up Black Rock Mountain. On top of the mountain there is an excellent view, and then we continued along the ridge to the next view on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail which faces north.

We then continued along the exposed rock areas, and passed the Bare Rocks Shelter. After that, we took the Dunning Trail to the west and then took a bushwhack along a route to the top of Surebridge Mountain. This view isn't on any official maps but it's a great view. We then turned around and met up again with the Dunning Trail, which we took to the White Bar Trail.

We then took the White Bar Trail to the Nurian Trail, climbing the mountain again from the western flank, and then at the top took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail down to our car. I slipped on wet rock near the end, injuring my arm and back in the process.

Map of the Route

Hazy View from Black Rock Mountain

Me with Jacob Baldinger

Highbush Blueberry 

Glacial Rocks near the Bald Rocks Shelter

Bald Rocks Shelter

Surebridge Mountain View

Me, Jacob, and Yehudah

Ascending back to Black Rock Mountain

Black Rock Mountain View on the Return View