Wyanokie High Point Spring Hike

Norvin Green State Forest
Passaic Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Otter Hole Trail: Green blaze
Macopin Trail: (Formerly) White blaze
Hewitt-Butler Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00 Hours
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles

Pros: Excellent views and good climb
Cons: Confusing Trail rerouting
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HLpFnVoYFZBdf4sd6

Wyanokie High Point is one of my favorite hikes in the area. It features a good climb with a great 360 degree view. However, there was a lot of trail rerouting going on which left me confused. I parked at the Weis Center, and noticed the Otter Hole Trail was rerouted out of the Weis Center area to the road. I continued on the Otter Hole Trail, to the Macopin Trail. This trail used to have a white blaze but it was missing the blazes perhaps for a future new color to route it as a loop trail.

I continued to the end of the trail at the ridge on Wyanokie High Point, and then took the Hewitt-Butler Trail up and then climbed the rocky portion to the summit of Wyanokie High Point, which offered a sweeping view on this beautiful day. I then turned around and took the Hewitt-Butler Trail down the mountain to the Otter Hole Trail which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trail Information

Macopin Trail Marker Blocked Out

Flowering Mountain Laurels

End of the Macopin Trail

Glacial Rock on the Wyanokie Ridge

View on the Wyanokie Ridge

Ascending to the Top of Wyanokie High Point

Wyanokie High Point View

Wanaque Reservoir and Manhattan Skyline in the Distance

View at the West Side of Wyanokie High Point

Bridge Across the View

Hi Point Labelled Rock

Map of the Ongoing Reroute

Agony Grind to Sapphire Trail

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 parked 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