Jackie Jones Fire Tower Opened

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 2.2 miles

Pros: Good view on top of tower
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/9m3CtGTf9aKi1Lox7

I was tight on time, so opted for a shorter hike close by. This hike fits the bill and is a shorter hike with big rewards. I had heard that the Jackie Jones fire tower was reopened after being closed, so I decided to check it out. Being that the Fire Tower is high above the trees it affords an amazing 360 panorama view of the entire area. I parked at the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trailhead on County Route 106, and took the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail up Jackie Jones. I passed the Orak ruin and continued along the trail to the tower. The fence was still present, but the door was opened despite the sign for authorized personnel only. I climbed up to the tower, but it was quite scary with the strong winds. I then climbed back down and headed back along the same route.

Map of the Route

New Trailhead Map

Gatehouse at the ORAK Ruin

View at the ORAK Ruin

Ascending Jackie Jones Mountain

Jackie Jones Communications Tower

Fire Tower

View from the Fire Tower, Facing East

View from the Fire Tower, Facing West and Lake Welch

View from the Fire Tower, Facing North

View from the Fire Tower, Facing South

In the Fire Tower

Return to the ORAK Ruin

Harriman Welcome Sign

Kakiat First Season Snowstorm

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

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, nice climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very Difficult in Snow

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

This was the first significant snow of the season. It was still snowing when we went hiking but was already tapering down. We parked at the Kakiat parking area and took the Mountain Trail up to the first view. We then continued to the upper view at Kakiat, and then continued along the trail past the power lines to the Kakiat Trail. We took the Kakiat Trail all the way down the mountain and then along the foot back to the trailhead and back to our car.

Start of the Hike

Map of the Route at the Trailhead

Mahwah River from the Bridge

Mountain Trail

Kakiat Lower View

Ascending to the Upper View, with a Break in the Snow and Clouds

Kakiat Upper View

Etzba Cave Circuit at Carmel Mountains

Near Haifa
Israel

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 1.4 miles

Pros: Nice climb, great views, interesting cave
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/y3JvaWzQ2n4zjoHAA

Hiking Partner:
Avigael Friedman

I was in Israel for a short trip and was near the Carmel Mountain range near Haifa and found a nice hike with a cave. The Carmel range is a limestone ridge not far from the ocean, and offering ocean views and really nice scenery. The pocked limestone is full of caves, and the cave we visited on the hike, the Etzba Cave (or Finger Cave translated in English) is a deep cave that you need a flashlight to fully explore.

We parked the car on Route 721 at the base of the mountain at the Nachal Bustan park. We took the trail up the steep steps to the cave, and then entered the cave and went deep in. I purchased a flashlight earlier in the day in order to properly explore the cave. We went to the point where it gets very narrow and I no longer felt comfortable going further, despite seeing light on the other end in the distance.

We then went back out the cave along the same way, and continued ascending. There is a great view to the east facing the Mediterranean, with banana farms across the coastal plain stretching for miles. We continued along the trail to the split, and then took the loop route back to our car.

Ascedning the Trail to the Cave

View of the Valley Below

Opening of the Etzba Cave

Inside the Cave

Ascending the Mountain after the Cave

View of Banana in Bags Along the Coastal Plain

Near the top of the Mountain

On the Descent