Claudius Smith Den and Elbow Brush to Daters Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail: Red blaze
Blue Disc Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Pros: Historic rock formations, nice views, good scrambles

Cons: None
Hike Type: 2 Car
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
Car 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7xECYTt63xqCmMi8
Car 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xyjicGocA9xgZKRo9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This is a two car hike passing through some very scenic areas of Harriman State Park. We parked the first car near the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trailhead near the Thruway overpass on E. Village Road in Tuxedo. We took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail up to the Tuxedo village view. We then continued on the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail to Claudius Smith Den, exploring the cave and rock formation and then the view on top. 

We then continued to the Blue Disc Trail, which took us to the Elbow Brush, another interesting cave formation and rock tunnel. We then took this to Daters Mountain by Almost Perpendicular, and then continued along the Blue Disc Trail back to our car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Map Kiosk

Smith Rock View over Tuxedo NY

Approaching the Claudius Smith Den Formation

Claudius Smith Den Cave Crevice

Top of Claudius Smith Den View

Elbow Brush Rock Crevice on the Blue Disc Trail

Daters Mountain View Above "Almost Perpendicular"

Buttermilk Falls and View

Buttermilk Falls County Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Buttermilk Falls Trail: Blue blaze
White Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Good climb, good view
Cons: Waterfalls was dry
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNsASx7U57oRQqVh8

The weather was very hot and I opted for a shorter than usual hike. I parked at the Buttermilk Falls Trailhead parking and took the trail up to the falls. The falls was mostly dry due to the hot conditions and little rain. I walked past the falls and then continued to the view which overlooks the southern part of Rockland County. In then continued down the trail to the White Trail, which I took back down to the trailhead parking.

Map of the Route

Dried Waterfalls at Buttermilk Falls

Top of the Falls

View from the Top

Stairs at the Bottom of the White Trail