Celery Farm Spring Hike

Allendale
Bergen Co.
New Jersey

Total Time: 0:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.6 Miles

Pros: Birds and wildlife, pretty lake
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RzbVmypb73Lkv2W7A

The Celery Farm surrounds Lake Appert and is a birding haven. I was at a tradeshow in Midland Park earlier in the day, and hiked around the lake and some additional trails north of the Lake after the show. The weather was cloudy and rainy, but it wasn't raining while I was hiking. There were all types of wildfowl present, including a Canada Goose sitting on eggs right below our nose at one point in the hike.

Map of the Route

Start of the Trail with Recent Greenery

Boardwalk Trail

Muddy Trail Through the Swampy Area

Abandoned Trail on the Hike

Marsh Phragmites

Small Scenic Pond North of Lake Appert

Small Brook North of Lake Appert

Lake Appert from the Birding Platform

Lake Appert from the South

Nesting Canada Goose

Info Plaque at the Trailhead

Big Hill and Second Reservoir

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Woodtown Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic brook
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rT4urBMfPd6AnM15A

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

It was another rainy March day, and the visibility was very poor with dense fog. We parked near the First Reservoir, and took the Long Path up the mountain. We continued to the intersection of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, and took the trail up the hill to Big Hill at the shelter.

There wasn't much of a view at Big Hill due to the fog. We then meant to take the old Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail but due to the fog and thick Mountain Laurel Forest and ended up wandering a bit before we found the trail to the Second Reservoir. At the Second Reservoir we took Woodtown Road to First Reservoir and then down the paved road back to our car.

Map of the Route

Small Waterfall at the Beginning of the Hike

Emerging Greenery

Long Path in the Fog

Big Hill Shelter

Rock on Big Hill

Mountain Laurel Forest

Second Reservoir

First Reservoir

South Mountain Early Spring

South Mountain County Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.6 Miles

Pros: Quiet area along ridge
Cons: Urban view below
Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ySwkTpfsjdpTAW2h8

This was a called early-spring day, but it was very sunny. I needed a hike close by due to time constraints, and this was a good call. I parked at the trailhead on the top of Central Highway, and took the Long Path to the east along the ridge of South Mountain. I reached the view facing south with the Manhattan skyline, where there is a nice cactus grove. I then went a bit further and then turned around and took the Long Path back to the west. I then took the parallel road from the tower back to the road and trailhead.

Map of the Route

Start of the Hike on the Trailhead

New Map Plaque at the Beginning of the Hike

View of the Hudson River from the Ridge

Scramble in the Diabase

View of the Haverstraw Area

View Towards the South from South Mountain

Manhattan Skyline from South Mountain

Cactus Grove at the View

Manhattan Skyline

South Mountain View

Rock at the End of the Hike