Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Appalachian Trail to Chimney Top

Sunday, April 19, 2020

Appalachian Trail to Chimney Top - Fahnestock Park

Appalachian National Scenic Area,
Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Catfish Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
Moneyhole Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Chimney Top Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.5 Miles

Pros: Mostly quiet area with an excellent view
Cons: None

Continuing on my further exploration in Clarence Fahnestock State Park, as well as my farther northern reaches of the Appalachian Trail, I was once again looking for quiet areas during the Coronavirus outbreak. I had been in the area two weeks earlier in an area further east, but had the same vantage point view at Chimney Top.

When I was at Chimney Top two weeks prior, it was very quiet, but was also cloudy with lousy weather. However, this day featured bright sunny skies with temperature with the upper 50's. So this made the area busier at the top than previously. It was still ok and safe, and I was able to keep my distance, but needed to put my face covering near the view because there were several other people there.

I parked on South Highland Road, at the AT trail, where there is roadside parking at the trail. I took the Appalachian Trail to the Catfish Loop Trail, which I took for a short distance to the Moneyhole Mountain Trail. I then took the Moneyhole Mountain Trail for another short distance to the Chimney Top Trail, up to the top of the mountain where the trail ends at the Chimney. I then went down the unmarked trail to the east and cut through the Appalachian Trail, which I took back to my car.