Harriman State Park / Appalachian Trail National Corridor
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:30
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, good climb, and good view
Cons: Walk on road from Elk Pen
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LD3wYs1bnUi4mwtF9

Hiking Partner:
Zev Koblick

We park at the Elk Pen and took the Appalachian Trail westward bound up the steep path past the Agony Grind, a steep incline from Route 17 up to a nice view of Western Harriman. The trail is currently being upgraded with organized rock steps. They are about halfway done. At the view we continued along the Appalachian Trail to the Sapphire Trail, and then turned around and returned along the same route. 

Map of the Route

Elk Pen Hikers Lot on Arden Valley Road

Harriman Welcome

View at the Start of the Hike

Appalachian Trail

Ascending the Agony Grind

Trail Work at the Agony Grind

First View Ascending

View above the Agony Grind

Elk Pen from the Agony Grind

Sapphire Trail

Great Falls of the Passaic River

National Historical Park
Paterson
Passaic Co, NJ

Total Time: 0:45
Estimated Distance: 1.5 Miles

Pros: Significant, historical waterfall
Cons: Urban area in rough neighborhood
Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/91zRqkivVTFpYCAi9

The Great Falls of the Passaic River is the one of the largest waterfalls by volume in the Eastern United States. However, it is situated in the middle of a run down area within a city, and its view is somewhat obstructed by the orientation of the falls. Despite that, it's still very worthwhile to visit as you can feel the share power of the falls.

I parked in the main parking area for the falls, and took the walking trail north of the falls so some old historical warehouses and ruins, including the abandoned Colt (think handguns) factory. I then headed back and past the ampitheater and went on the stairs path to Spruce Street, and then crossed the bridge over the falls to Mary Ellen Kramer Park. I then took the path by Ryle Road down to the Passaic River by the falls. I then turned around and took the route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Falls from the Overlook

Rock Wall South of the Falls

Colt Factory Site

Waterfalls with the Pump House

View from the Top of the Falls

Mary Ellen Kramer Great Falls Park

Passaic River

Top of Falls from the Park

National Historical Park

Reeves Brook to Chipmunk Mountain

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Reeves Brook Trail: Orange blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue blaze
Hillburn-Torne Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:20
Estimated Distance: 3.7 Miles

Pros: Scenic loop, good scramble, and good views
Cons: Very busy at Pine Meadow Trail during weekend
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KkhtTwdowZzihwcf8

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was the first hot-weather hike of the season. We parked at Reeves Meadow in Harriman and took the Reeves Brook Trail. The area is very busy at the start of the hike, but gets very quiet as soon as you reach the Reeves Brook Trail. We took the Reeves Brook Trail steadily up, until reaching the Seven Hills Trail, which has a steep scramble up to a great view. We then ascended up to Chipmunk Mountain, where there is another great view, and took the HTS Trail down to the Pine Meadow Trail which we took back to the beginning of the trail.

Map of the Route

Large Rock on the Reeves Brook Trail

Scramble Up the Seven Hills Trail

Great View Above the Scramble

View at the Chimpmunk Mountain View