Black Rock Memorial Day

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Nurian Trail: White blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.3 Miles

Pros: Quiet area with great view
Cons: Bushwhack is a bit difficult to follow
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/LH1hhUExP92gqaGi7

At the parking trailhead for the Victory Trail, there is another unmarked trail going north which isn't on any maps. I decided on this day to take it and see where it goes to see if goes to the top of Black Rock Mountain. After several hundred feet, the trail split and I took the left fork, which ended up as a dead-end. I then backtracked and took the right fork, which kept on going, and had a yellow unofficial blazes.

That trail then split, with the main trail going to the right and climbing up. However, there was a fallen tree about 2/3rds the way up and I lost the trail at that point. I ended up bushwhacking up the mountain to the summit of Black Rock Mountain, taking the Nurian Trail briefly at the end of the bushwhack.

I then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail down the mountain, and walked alongside Kanawauke Road. I climbed up the hill and walked alongside the pond, and then headed back to my car.

Map of the Route

Unmarked Trail at Black Rock Mountain

Rockface and Brush near the Summit

Black Rock Mountain Summit

Pond Along the Road

Frog on a Lily Pad

Hiking Xing Sign

Kakiat Spring Loop

Kakiat County Park /
Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

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

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Good climb with good views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/urCtWDMDsNYyJMsB7

Map of the Route

Mahwah River at the Start of the Hike

Start of the Mountain Trail

View at Kakiat Mountain Approaching the Summit

At the Kakiat Mountain Summit

Scenery on the Mountain Trail Above the View

Blooming Mountain Laurel

Stahahe High Peak and Green Pond

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Island Pond Road: Unblazed
Stahahe High Peak Trail: Unblazed
Nurian Trail: White blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.9 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake and pretty area
Cons: Parking can fill up quickly
Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/NBN41jEjsZhVG6YK8

It had been a very long time since I was at Stahahe High Peak (almost 13 years!) It was a nice spring day, in fact somewhat cool with a strong breeze at the top of the mountain. I parked at the trailhead at the White Bar Trail on County Route 106, and took the White Bar Trail for a short distance to Island Pond Road.

I then was on the lookout for the trail intersection with the Stahahe High Peak Trail, which is unblazed. I found it at the cairn, and took it up the top. The path is unofficial and isn't as well marked but it can be easily followed to the view. I then turned around back to the intersection of the Island Pond Road, taking it to the Nurian Trail for a short period and then to the Dunning Trail.

The trail crisscross with the White Bar Trail and intersects it twice. At the second intersection, where the Dunning Trail ends, I took the Dunning Trail alongside Green Pond. This is a highly scenic part of the park, where the trail scrambles and goes underneath a rock overhang. I then took the Dunning Trail back to the White Bar Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Island Pond Road

Path to Stahahe High Peak through the Mountain Laurel

Approaching Stahahe Peak

Stahahe High Peak View

View Above Lake Stahahe

Large Rock on Island Pond Road

View Past Green Pond

Nurian Trail & Dunning Trail Intersection

Approaching Green Pond

Green Pond

Overhand by Green Pond