Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Rockhouse Mountain Bushwack

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Rockhouse Mountain Bushwack

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Beech Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:08 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Miles

Pros: Remote area and good view
Cons: Bushwack is a bit difficult, walk along the road at the end

It's been a full week since I left the office during the Coronavirus pandemic, and had been working from home all week and avoiding people outside my immediate family. After a full work day working at home, I took the opportunity to get out for a short hike in Harriman State Park as the weather was beautiful and around 70 degrees.

My goal was to pick a short hike that is isolated from other hikers. Harriman State Park has been very busy on the popular trails during the Coronavirus outbreak because people are feeling the need to get out, but they are staying too close in the popular hiking area. I've seen this driving through the park and seeing the main trailhead areas. This hike is very quiet and off the beaten path.

I parked on Kanawauke Road at the intersection of the Beech Trail, and took the Beech Trail east. I then bushwacked up the hill to the top of ridge and then along the top of the ridge to the peak of the mountain. This is the highest point in Rockland county, but it is hard to get to this point as there is no official trail and it is overgrown with brush. I continued west along the ridge to the view along Rockhouse Mountain, and then went down the steep part of the mountain to Kanawauke Road, and then walked along the Road back to the car.