Hogencamp Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Hogencamp Road (unmarked blaze)
Dunning Trail (Yellow blaze)

Total Time: 2 hours
Estimated Distance: 3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a good bushwack
Points Of Interest: Good bushwack, good views, historical mine

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

This hike is mostly a bushwack - and a very scenic one. I parked on County Route 106 right after the bend by Lake Kanawauke, to take the old road to Hogencamp. I took this for a short while passing some of the abandoned structures along the way from this old mining ghost town. Right before the bend in the old overgrown road there is a large clearing on the right, with the foundation of a large unknown structure. There is a cliff behind here which has a very good bushwack route up. I climbed the cliff, to where there is an excellent east-facing view of Lake Kanawauke, and this leads to an unmarked short trail to the Dunning Trail.

I took the Dunning Trail for a very short while, and then cut across up the Rocky area right after the stream to the summit of Hogencamp Mountain. The summit is covered by brush and rocky exposures, and lacks significant tree cover. This is due to the area once being the site of a huge forest fire. The summit of Hogencamp, along the ridge, is an incredibly scenic area with beautiful plants and a consistent view to the east. I strongly advocate the creation of a trail along this ridge.

Coming towards the Long Path, I descended in a valley that had a good cut-through route, and this led me to the northen point of the Hogencamp workings. I explored some of the many mine cuts and shafts in the area, and headed back south along the Dunning Trail. The Hogencamp Mine consists of many mining cuts and pits and is the most extensive of the ancient iron mine workings in the entire Harriman State Park. I always enjoy exploring this area. Headed back along the Dunning Trail, cutting off by the old Hogencamp Road towards Route 106, and then back to my car.

Map of the route

Old Foundation - Looking behind while ascending the bushwack cliff

View atop the bushwack.

View with the Little Long Pond in the distance.

Looking up to the dense brush climbing Hogencamp Mountain

View from the south summit of Hogencamp - Facing south.

Facing southeast.

Facing southeast.

Facing east with the traffic circle in the distance.

Large mine adit at Hogencamp Mine.

The big dangerous hole at Hogencamp Mine.