Kakiat Upper Ridge Loop

Kakiat County Park /
Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Old Mill Trail: Blue blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Mountain Trail: Orange lazed

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, nice climb, waterfalls, and view
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SZdPJdTimieU7iEVA

I have been to Kakiat many times, but I rarely make it past the main view at the top of the Mountain Trail. On this hike I decided to go a bit farther to the Suffern-Bear Mountain (SBM) Trail along the very top ridge. I parked in the Kakiat Park parking area, took the Old Mill Trail along the Mahwah River to the Kakiat Trail, and took a short spur to the Kakiat waterfalls. I then continued on the Kakiat Trail up the mountain, past the Mountain Trail, to the SBM Trail.

I took the SMB Trail south, and then bushwhacked at the closest point to the power lines, which I took along the service road back to the Mountain Trail. I took the Mountain Trail to the upper Kakiat view, then climbed down the mountain to the lower view. I then climbed down the rest of the Mountain Trail back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Mahwah River

Kakiat Waterfalls

Black Rat Snake Crossing the Trail

Kakiat Trail Crossing the Power Lines

Grandma and Grandpa Rocks on the SBM Trail

Crossing the Gas Pipeline

View at the Top of Kakiat Mountain

View from the Kakiat Mountain Lower Summit View

Tallman Mountain Spring Rain

Tallman Mountain State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Miles

Pros: Nice river views
Cons: Not a remote area
Hike Type: Figure Eight Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QXBZn8unDRPA39m56

It was raining all day, and the rain lightened up in the afternoon so I took the opportunity to get out for a short hike. I parked in the main parking area and took the Orange Trail to the Long Path, which I took north to the overlook over the pool, and then continued up to the Sawmill Picnic Area. I then looped around on the road and took the Long Path down and then took the unmarked trail parallel to the road back to my car.

Map of the Route

Orange Trail

Weird Tree on the Orange Trail

Brook Along the Orange Trail

Long Path Greenery

Long Path Stairs

Piermont Pier, Marsh, and Hudson River

Trail Maintenance

View Facing North of Piermont, The Tappan Zee Bridge, and Hook Mnt.

Strange Tower 

Osio Rock and Torne Mountain Spring Hike

Otter Hole Area
Norvin Green State Forest
Passaic Co.
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Torne Trail: Red blaze
Hewitt-Butler Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.3 Miles

Pros: Great views, good climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Figure Eight Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bfkb6YT3iwQMw54bA

This was a cold spring day, and my first hike in the area with everything turning green and in bloom. I parked at Otterhole Road at the county line right where it turns in Glenwild Ave, and took the Torne Trail up and through the valley. I then took the Hewitt-Butler Trail up to Osio Rock, which affords a great view past the rock.

I then turned around from Osio Rock and took the Hewitt-Butler Trail back down to the valley, and then took it up to Torne Mountain, going through the steep scramble up to the view. I then took the trail back down the mountain and then to my car.

Map of the Route

Pond at the Beginning of the Hike

Start of the Hike

Torne Trail / Hewitt-Butler Trail Intersection

Osio Rock

View from Behind Osio Rock

Manhattan Skyline

Osio Rock Crevice

Steep and Rocky Route up Torne Mountain