Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: December 2020

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Anthonys Nose North Approach

Hudson Highlands State Park
Putnam Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Camp Smith Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles

Pros: Good climb, great views
Cons: Area can be crowded
Hike Type: In and Out
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/uDSbVsq2gJ3EnyUV8

Anthony's Nose is a favorite of many people in the area. It's a good climb with a sweeping view atop the Hudson River and the Hudson Highlands. The peak is directly above the Bear Mountain Bridge, facing the opposite side of Bear Mountain across the Hudson River. There are two approaches to the mountain, one to the north and one to the south. I have taken the southern approach many more times than the northern approach. It's been several years since I had been here, and it had been very busy over the summer and fall. This very cold day on the Holiday weekend was very quiet in the morning when I headed it. Normally it is quite busy here.

I parked on the roadside parking alongside Route 9D by the Appalachian Trail trailhead up Anthony's Nose. I took this trail up the steep hill to the Camp Smith Trail, and took the Camp Smith Trail along some small frozen ponds to the rocky summit view. I snapped some pictures and then headed back along the Camp Smith Trail. At the intersection of the Appalachian Trail, I continued further north on the trail to the next view, which faces north towards West Point prior to the trails descent. The view is somewhat overgrown, but it is right near a very green evergreen forest that is very pretty. I turned back at this point and took the Appalachian Trail south and down the mountain back to my car.

Map of the Route

Kiosk at the Entrance of the Trail

Camp Smith Trail Intersection with the Appalachian Trail

Small Frozen Pond Near the Top of the Anthony's Nose Trail

Another View of the Frozen Pond

Another Pond Near the Top of Anthony's Nose

Flooded Frozen Pond in the Camp Smith Trail

Bear Mountain Across the Hudson River

Busy Tree at the Summit of Anthony's Nose

Bear Mountain Bridge and Hudson River, Across from Popolopen Gorge

Another View of the Bear Mountain Bridge from Anthony's Nose

Flag in the Distant from Anthony's Nose

Hudson River and Dunderberg and West Mountain, Looking South

Rocky Summit and Flag from Anthony's Nose

View of the Hudson and Dunderberg Mountain, Facing South

Me at the Anthony's Nose Summit

Another View of the Bear Mountain Bridge

Greenery along the Appalachian Trail

View Facing North to West Point from the Appalachian Trail
on the Northern Part of Anthony's Nose

More Winter Greenery on the Appalachian Trail

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Stony Brook Chipmunk Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Yellow blaze
Hillburn-Torne-Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue Blaze
Connector Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles

Pros: Scenic area along brook, excellent views
Cons: None
Hike Type: 8 Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/27U9tBKeKFdJQp3a9

This hike was after the season's first snowfall, which was quite significant with about 10 inches of snow. This is a normally very busy area, with many hikers, but now with the fresh snow it was very empty.

I parked at the Reeves Meadow parking area, and took the Pine Meadow Trail along the overflowing brook, and continued along the trail past the Stony Brook Trail intersection. I continued until the HTS Trail, which I took south to the top of Chipmunk Mountain. This mountain features a very good vista, with a view of many miles.

I then took the Seven Hills Trail down the mountain, down to the valley floor at the Pine Meadow Trail. I took the Pine Meadow Trail back down the mountain, and then took the Connector Trail down to the Stony Brook Trail. I observed the bridge at the end of the Connector Trail was still not built. I continued along the Stony Brook Trail down to the Pine Meadow Trail and then back to the trailhead.