Sunday, September 22, 2024

Bear Mountain new Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cornell Mine Trail: Blue blaze
Ski Trail: Unblazed
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
1777 Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic area
Cons: Trail damage
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult (due to conditions)

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S1bkCpXMJn7PLdzQ8

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

When I was at Bear Mountain previously, I noticed the Suffern-Bear Mountain had been rerouted at the bottom of Bear Mountain near the Inn and wanted to check it out at a future date. This was that opportunity.

We parked at the Cornell Mine Trail trailhead on Route 9W. We noticed the Cornell Mine Trail was closed due to storm damage, so we took the southern part of the trail, which was a bit overgrown. We headed towards the edge of Doodletown, and then took the Ski Trail to the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. We crossed 7 Lakes Drive and then went over the southern hump of Bear Mountain, and then headed down on the trail. 

The new trail is on the descent right before the old intersection of the Appalachian Trail. The trail bypasses the stream crossing that seems to have gotten eroded. We then went into the Bear Mountain field, on the 1777 Trail, and then continued back to the Cornell Mine Trail back to our car. This part of the trail was very difficult due the damage.

Map of the route

Iona Island and Dunderberg Mountain from the Parking Area

Trail Closed

Timp Brook


Doodletown Trailheads




Bear Mountain Bridge from the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail




New Part of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail




Bear Mountain Inn & Field and Anthony's Nose

1777 Trail Plaque

View of Dunderberg

Overgrown and Damaged 1777 Trail

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Manitoga Late Summer Hike

Manitoga Preserve
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Killalemy Trail: Red blaze
Morning Path: Blue blaze
Lost Pond Trail: Blue blaze
Overlook Trail: Yellow blaze
Upper Laurel Field Trail: Red/white/blue blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.6 miles

Pros: Very quiet area
Cons: Views aren't great
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xx1v9VgnTfvc59YT9

Map of the Route

Information Kiosk at the Beginning of the Hike

Scenic Area at the Start of the Hike


Ascending the Mountain




Sunset Osio. Not Much of a View Here

Continuing the Ascent

View Near Lost Pond

Lost Pond

West Point from Lost Pond


Curry Pond

Trail Scene Near Curry Pond

Monarch Butterfly on the Trail

View at Chestnut Oak Ridge Osio


Hudson River from the View



Four Corners Trail Intersection
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Sunday, September 8, 2024

Black Rock Mountain to Kanawauke

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Blue blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.8 miles

Pros: Good climb, great views, very scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Point A to Point B
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
Car 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1vVqQKGjqeERRwmQA
Car 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dq5rNM4FdHPa23oE7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This is one of my favorite areas in Harriman. It's good a good climb, rocky areas, is very scenic with cool rocks, has great views, and has scenic lakes. We parked the first car at Lake Kanawauke, and then parked the second car at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trailhead between Tom Jones and Black Rock Mountain. We climbed the trail up Black Rock Mountain, and continued along the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail to the Dunning Trail. We then took the Dunning Trail east to the Hogencamp Road, going through the abandoned mining ghost town, hiking down towards Kanawauke Road. We then walked along the road back to the first car.

Map of the Route

New Trail Map at the Trailhead

Black Rock Mountain First View








Black Rock and Main View







Glacial Erratics on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail









Bowling Rocks




View of Little Long Pond from the Distance



Little Long Pond