Kaaterskill Falls and Bastion Falls

Catskills Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Escarpment Trail: Blue blaze
Kaaterskill Falls Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.6 Miles

Pros: Impressive Waterfall and Scenery
Cons: Extremely busy on weekends
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DBSBGjWzvbZRtkYM9

Kaaterskill Falls is the tallest combined falls in New York state. Normally in the late summer the water level is very slow, but this was a rainy summer with a good flow of water. It was the Sunday of a holiday weekend, and the area was extremely busy. However, I did find a parking spot at the trailhead. I parked and then walked to the upper falls viewing platform, then took the bridge over Kaaterskill Falls to the Escarpment Trail. I then took the Kaaterskill Falls trail down to the falls area. However, it was so busy with lots of people, so I continued along the trail to Bastion Falls. This part of the area was much quieter. I then turned around at Route 23A and then went back to Kaaterskill Falls. It was still very busy but slightly less busy than before. I then continued along the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Top of Kaaterskill Falls from the Observation Platform

Information Kiosk on the Top of the Falls

Kaaterskill High Peak from the Top of the Falls

Above the Falls and the Spruce Creek Gorge

Bottom of Bastion Falls

Top of Bastion Falls

Route 23A from Bastion Falls

Kaaterskill Falls, Both Cascades

Top Falls at Kaaterskill Falls

Bearfort Mountain: New Terrace Pond North Trail

Bearfort Mountain: New Terrace Pond North Trail
Wawayanda State Park,
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Terrace Pond North Spur Trail: Blue/black blaze
Terrace Pond North Loop Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Nice climb, great views, and scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/H39rVc7RjWscF79Z8

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

This is one of my favorite areas in New Jersey. The terrain is very scenic with cool rock formations and great views. The ridge on the western side of Greenwood Lake extends south and is known as Bearfort Mountain, and has a network of scenic trails along the ridge. The trails were recently rerouted, with a new trail created along the ridge.

We parked on Warwick Turnpike and took the Terrance Pond Trail up the mountain, passing several great views along the ridge. We then took the Terrace Pond North Trail further up the higher part of the ridge to some more good views. When we reached the gas pipeline we found it to be very overgrown, so we turned around at that point and headed back along the same route.

Map of the Route

Start of the Trail at the Trailhead

First View on Bearfort

Bearfort Mountain Terrain

Greemwood Lake in the Distance

Terrace Pond North Spur Trail & Terrace Pond North Loop Trail Intersection