Bear Mountain new Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cornell Mine Trail: Blue blaze
Ski Trail: Unblazed
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
1777 Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic area
Cons: Trail damage
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult (due to conditions)

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/S1bkCpXMJn7PLdzQ8

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

When I was at Bear Mountain previously, I noticed the Suffern-Bear Mountain had been rerouted at the bottom of Bear Mountain near the Inn and wanted to check it out at a future date. This was that opportunity.

We parked at the Cornell Mine Trail trailhead on Route 9W. We noticed the Cornell Mine Trail was closed due to storm damage, so we took the southern part of the trail, which was a bit overgrown. We headed towards the edge of Doodletown, and then took the Ski Trail to the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. We crossed 7 Lakes Drive and then went over the southern hump of Bear Mountain, and then headed down on the trail. 

The new trail is on the descent right before the old intersection of the Appalachian Trail. The trail bypasses the stream crossing that seems to have gotten eroded. We then went into the Bear Mountain field, on the 1777 Trail, and then continued back to the Cornell Mine Trail back to our car. This part of the trail was very difficult due the damage.

Map of the route

Iona Island and Dunderberg Mountain from the Parking Area

Trail Closed

Timp Brook

Doodletown Trailheads

Bear Mountain Bridge from the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail

New Part of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail

Bear Mountain Inn & Field and Anthony's Nose

1777 Trail Plaque

View of Dunderberg

Overgrown and Damaged 1777 Trail