Big Hill and Second Reservoir

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Woodtown Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic brook
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rT4urBMfPd6AnM15A

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

It was another rainy March day, and the visibility was very poor with dense fog. We parked near the First Reservoir, and took the Long Path up the mountain. We continued to the intersection of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, and took the trail up the hill to Big Hill at the shelter.

There wasn't much of a view at Big Hill due to the fog. We then meant to take the old Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail but due to the fog and thick Mountain Laurel Forest and ended up wandering a bit before we found the trail to the Second Reservoir. At the Second Reservoir we took Woodtown Road to First Reservoir and then down the paved road back to our car.

Map of the Route

Small Waterfall at the Beginning of the Hike

Emerging Greenery

Long Path in the Fog

Big Hill Shelter

Rock on Big Hill

Mountain Laurel Forest

Second Reservoir

First Reservoir

South Mountain Early Spring

South Mountain County Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.6 Miles

Pros: Quiet area along ridge
Cons: Urban view below
Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ySwkTpfsjdpTAW2h8

This was a called early-spring day, but it was very sunny. I needed a hike close by due to time constraints, and this was a good call. I parked at the trailhead on the top of Central Highway, and took the Long Path to the east along the ridge of South Mountain. I reached the view facing south with the Manhattan skyline, where there is a nice cactus grove. I then went a bit further and then turned around and took the Long Path back to the west. I then took the parallel road from the tower back to the road and trailhead.

Map of the Route

Start of the Hike on the Trailhead

New Map Plaque at the Beginning of the Hike

View of the Hudson River from the Ridge

Scramble in the Diabase

View of the Haverstraw Area

View Towards the South from South Mountain

Manhattan Skyline from South Mountain

Cactus Grove at the View

Manhattan Skyline

South Mountain View

Rock at the End of the Hike

Pine Swamp Stony Brook Loop

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Orange blaze
Connector Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic brook
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CeRNb51puCkAJqe67

It was a rainy March day, and weather was unseasonably warm. It wasn't raining at the moment, so I took the opportunity to hike during the lull in the rain. I parked at the Reeves Meadow area, the busiest area in Harriman, but due to the rainy weather it was exceptionally quiet. 

I took the Pine Meadow Trail to the Stony Brook Trail, and then took the Connector Trail up the hill to the Pine Meadow Trail. I then took the Pine Meadow Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Stony Brook at the Beginning of the Trail

Reeves Brook Bridge

Reeves Brook

Stony Brook

Stony Brook and Pine Meadow Brook Junction

Pine Meadow Trail and Mountain Laurel Greenery