East Mountain Fahnestock State Park

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
School Mountain Road Trail: White blaze
East Mountain Loop Trail: Red blaze
Round Hill Bypass Trail: Green blaze
Hubbard Loop Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic area
Cons: View is not great

I really enjoyed the area near Round Hill at Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park on my trip a few weeks prior, and went back to visit more trails in the area. I parked at the Hubbard Lodge parking area, near the Intersection of Route 9 and Route 301, and took the School Mountain Road Trail. I took this trail northeast for a while, crossing a brand new bridge which I had seen being built a few weeks prior.

The trail grade of the School Mountain Road Trail is relatively easy. Upon intersecting with the East Mountain Loop Trail, I took the trail as it climbed up the mountain. There is a viewpoint at the top, but was disappointed because it is obscured to too many trees. I then took the same trail down the mountain, back to the intersection of the School Mountain Road Trail, at the abandoned spooky house.

I then went back southwest on the School Mountain Road Trail, and at the Round Hill Bypass Trail: Green blaze intersection, I tool this trail for a short distance parallel to the School Mountain Road Trail, stopping for a short break at the waterfall. I then bushwacked back to the School Mountain Road Trail, and then took the newly blazed Hubbard Loop Trail, which goes parallel to the School Mountain Road Trail. I then continued along the School Mountain Road Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Round Hill in the Distance

Swampy Area from the First Bridge on the School Mountain Road Trail

Beaver Dam Along the Brook on the School Mountain Road Trail

Collapsed House at the School Mountain Road Trail

Brand New Bridge on the School Mountain Road Trail.
This Bridge was being built on my previous trip here a few weeks prior.

Bridge at the Beginning of the East Mountain Loop Trail

At the Top of East Mountain

View from the Top of East Mountain

Mountain in the Distance from the Top of East Mountain

Another View from East Mountain

Large Stone Wall and Foundation Ruins on the East Mountain Loop Trail

Dilapidated House at the East Mountain Loop and
School Mountain Road Trails Intersection

View of the Dilapidated Spooky House in the Distance

Trail Confluence of the School Mountain Road Trail, East Mountain Loop
Trail, and Round Hill Bypass Trail

Waterfall at the Round Hill Bypass Trail

Memorial Day Kakiak Lower Hike

Kakiat County Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Distance: 1.2 miles

Pros: Nice short hike with good view
Cons: None

I had a busy schedule on memorial day, and at the end of the day near sunset I did a short hike up Kakiat. I parked in the main parking area, crossed the bridge over the Mahwah River, and took the Mountain Trail up to the first view. After the first view, turned around and went back down the same route, though took a slight detour along the path on the south flank of the park to the path alongside the river and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

View Facing Southwest Prior to Sunset

Another View Southeast

From the View Facing East

Me at the View

Catfish Loop and Appalachian Trail at Fahnestock Park

Clarence Fahnestock Memorial State Park
Putnam Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Catfish Loop Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 Miles

Pros: Very quiet and scenic area, nice rock formation and good view
Cons: None

This trail is a continuation of the northernmost reaches of the Appalachian Trail in area. I had completed an additional section in Fahnestock State Park, in the Catfish Loop area. I parked on Dennytown Road, where it hits the Appalachian Trail at the Catfish Loop area. I parked and headed on the Appalachian Trail south, up the ridge, and then at the intersection of the Appalachian and Catfish Loop Trails, I took the Catfish Loop Trail south, along some of the areas I had recently travelled. I climbed the ridge, and at the view at the rock formation, I climbed up the rock for some good views. This part of the trail contains some nice rock formations with exposed rock.

I then continued along the trail, and then hooked around the northern part of the trail. I missed the short spur to the Duck Pond, and continued along to the northern end of the trail, which I then took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Catfish Loop Trailhead Marker

View Along the Appalachian Trail, Facing West

Intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Catfish Loop Trail

Junction of the Catfish Loop Trail and Moneyhole Mountain Trail

Large Rockface on the Moneyhole Mountain Trail

Approaching the Split Rock on the View on the Catfish Loop Trail

Going through the Split Rock on the View on the Catfish Loop Trail

View Atop the Split Rock on the View, Facing West

View Atop the Split Rock on the View, Facing Northwest Towards Storm King

Large Rocks at the Split Rock View Area

Me at the Split Rock View

View from the Split Rock facing North

Another View from the Split Rock, Facing West

State Line Trail to Bellvale Mountain Ridge

Abram S. Hewitt State Forest,
Passaic Co., New Jersey /
Appalachian Trail National Scenic Trail Area,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
State Line Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 3:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 7.3 Miles

Pros: Very scenic area with good climbs and good views
Cons: Parking is difficult when busy, lots of sun and limited tree cover

This was a beautiful spring day. It was cold in the morning, but quickly warmed up. I had been to the area many years ago, and decided it was a good opportunity to revisit the area especially for my quest to further facilitate my travels along the Appalachian Trail.

I found the parking area for the State Line Trail to be full, so I turned around on Lake Shore Rd, on the side of the road on the New York/New Jersey state line. I took the State Line Trail up the mountain, and at the end of the trail at the Appalachian Trail, and took the Appalachian Trail north to Prospect Rock. Prospect Rock has a sweeping view of Greenwood Lake with a large bedrock exposure. There is also a seasonal flag put up every spring that remains through the fall.

I continued on the Appalachian Trail after Prospect Rock, and then descending along the trail until the next ascent, which is a steep climb with rungs in the rock to be able to climb. There is another excellent view at this point wither another excellent vantage point of Greenwood Lake and beyond. I then continued on the Appalachian Trail north past the cairns and along the ridge, to the next view. I then turned around and took the trail back the same way.

Map of the Route

State Line Trailhead

Small Waterfall at the Beginning of the Hike

Rocky Outcrops and Pine Trees Near the Top of the Ridge

End of the State Line Trail

Appalachian Trail at the End of the State Line Trail

Marker on the Appalachian Trail

More Rock Faces and Stunted Pines Along the Bellvale Ridge

View of Greenwood Lake from Prospect Rock

View Facing North from Prospect Rock

Another View at Prospect Rock

American Flag at Prospect Rock

Bedrock Faces at Prospect Rock

Greenwood Lake Facing East

Flat in the Distance at Prospect Rock

Large Rock Face Along Bellvale Mountain

View Facing North

View Facing Northeast

Greenwood and Manhattan Skyline in the Distance

Climbing Rails Along the Appalachian Trail

View above the Climbing Rails

Greenwood Lake and Fox Island

View Facing South

Another View of Greenwood Lake

Cairn on the Appalachian Trail While Walking along the Ridge

Another Cairn Along the Ridge

Close Up of the Cairn

Rockface and Cairn

View at My Northernmost Travel on this Hike

View Facing North, with Schunnemunk Mountain the Distance

Me at the View above the Trail Rungs