West Mountain Loop

Bear Mountain State Park /
Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Trails:
1777 W Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blazed
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hr
Estimated Distance: 4.3 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good climb and Many excellent views

Hiking Partners:
Debbie and Raphael Koegel

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Winter in a larger map

This was another unseasonably warm day. It was so warm that we didn't even need to wear our coats. We parked at the hiker's trailhead off 7 Lakes Drive near Perkins Drive, took the 1777 W Trail briefly to the Appalachian Trail, and then took the Appalachian up West Mountain. As you are nearing the top there is an excellent view here facing north directly towards Bear Mountain which is opposite. This part of the Appalachain Trail has recently been renovated and slightly rerouted in a few areas.

Continued along to the intersection with the Timp-Torne Trail, and then took the concurrent Appalachian and Timp-Torne trails along the West Mountain Ridge, which continuously passes along excellent views. After the trail split, continued on the Timp Torne, until the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. We then took the Suffern Bear Mountain Trail slightly down and up again, and then steeply down and then alongside the brook, back to the 177W Trail, and then back to the car.

Map of the Route

View along the Appalachian while ascending West Mountain.
Facing east towards the Hudson and Dunderberg

View of Bear Mountain from the above view. Facing northeast.
Note the Bear Mountain Tower near the left side.

Me and Raphael with Bear Mountain behind us.

Me posing at the same view.

Another pose.

View from West Mountain view over Anthony Wayne.
Facing west with the Palisades Parkway directly below and
Lindley Mountain in the background.

Another view from West Mountain.
Facing South.

Me and Raphael over the Anthony Wayne parking lot.

Raphael on top of a rock formation on West Mountain.