Bear Mountain to Fort Montgomery

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland & Orange Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Twin Forts Trail: Blue stripe in white blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic area along Hudson River
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Candy Wrapper Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LmTMssnNDXqoz7H46

I parked at the dock area at Bear Mountain, and took the path up to the Bear Mountain Trailside Zoo. The Appalachian Trail goes right through the zoom. I took the Appalachian Trail in the zoo past the exhibits, and was surprised to see the bear out and not hibernating despite the cold weather. 

I took a spur to the viewpoint over the river, and then took the paved zoo path to the Fort Clinton remnant site. I then continued to the area behind the bridge, and took the Twin Forts Trail underneath the Bear Mountain Bridge to the Popolopen Creek.

I crossed the Popolopen Creek on the pedestrian suspension bride, and then toured through the Fort Montgomery historical site, where the Americans fought the British in the Revolutionary war. I then turned around and took the Appalachian Spur Bypass Trail around Bear Mountain, and returned back to my car.

Map of the Route

Bear Mountain Bridge and the Elk Statue

Bobcat at the Zoo

Porcupine at the Zoo

Bear at the Zoo in the Winter
(Shouldn't he be hibernating)

Hudson River

Fort Clinton Remains

Anthony's Nose & Bear Mountain Bridge

Ft. Montgomery Trailhead

Popolopen Footbridge

Route 9W Popolopen Bridge

Bear Mountain Bridge from Popolopen

Fort Montgomery Historic Site

Ice on the Trail