Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Kakiat Old Mill Lower View Loop

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Kakiat Old Mill Lower View Loop

Kakiat Old Mill Lower View Loop
Kakiat County Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Old Mill Trail: Blue blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 1:00 Hours
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Points of Interest: Scenic area, good climb with good views
Cons: Busy area

I was very short on time this Sunday, with no hiking opportunity all week. But I figured I had to get in a hike on this beautiful peak of foliage autumn day. I parked in the Kakiat parking lot, and walked up the hill behind the parking lot, to get a good picture of the mountains in full color. I then walked behind the dog park pen, and to the path on the east side of the Mahwah River. I took the path down the embankment, and crossed the Mahwah River on a rocky shallow area (the water level was very low) to the Old Mill Trail.

I took the Old Mill Trail past the old mill, looping around to the Kakiat Trail, and then along the Kakiat Trail to a spur trail which goes to the Mountain Trail. I took the Mountain Trail up partially, then bushwacked up the rock outcrop to the right of the Mountain Trail to the lower Kakiat summit. I took some pictures here at the tap, where a very visible Manhattan skyline was in the distance. I then took the Mountain Trail back down, and past the gas pipeline by the bend, veered off down the hill on another unmarked Kakiat Path. At the bend of this path I cut across the bushes into the large meadow where the Kakiat gazebo is. I then took the path parallel to the Mahwah River, to the Kakiat Bridge, and then back to my car.