Haverstraw Palisades

Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Trails:
Bike Path: Unblazed
Connector Trail: White blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hr
Estimated Distance: 2.6 Miles

I parked in Haverstraw behind the enormous mine works at the terminus of the biking trail that goes along the Palisades Cliffs and the Hudson River. Walked down the bike path until the abandoned park cabin, where I picked up the white-blazed Connector Trail that goes to the Long Path. This trail passes near a trail tunnel where the railroad goes underneath the mountain, so it was interesting watching a trail go through the tunnel while hiking.

Once I hit the Long Path I continued to the summit. Although the summit is a narrow ridge above both sides which are lower, there are surprisingly no good view available. At this point I turned back, went down the Connector Trail, and went south once I hit the bike path to explore the old quarries along the side of the mountain. These quarries are very old and were used to mine traprock at the turn of the century. Their walls are very impressive sheer cliffs with vast amounts of talus at their foot. The Palisades Park was created to protect the area from being totally obliterated from the quarrying operations. From there turned around and went along the bike path back to the car.

Map of the Route.

Abandoned Ranger Cabin

Inside the Abandoned Ranger Cabin

The Start of the White Connector Trail

View of the Quarry Wall while ascending the white Connector Trail

Mountain Behind the Quarry.
Ascending on the white Connector Trail./

Lake DeForest from the top. Facing Southwest.

The Hudson River at Haverstraw Bay from the the top.
Facing Northeast.

The bottom of the Quarry.
A little snow still remains.

Looking up the Quarry Cliffs and the Talus.

Benedict Arnold Treason Site along the Bike Path.

Ship in Haverstraw Bay. From the Bike Path.