Lake Skanatati Pine Swamp Mnt Fall Hike

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.9 Miles

Pros: Short, sweet loop hike with good views and scenic lake
Cons: None

Hiking Partners:
Joseph Friedman
Elisha Friedman

I was short on time, but wanted to get out and enjoy the fall foliage. We parked at the Lake Skanatati trailhead, and took the A-SB Trail up and veered off to the old route up to the top of the mountain and the view. We then bushwacked down to the Long Path, and went alongside Lake Skanatati and then back to our car.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati from the Parking Area

Waterfowl at Lake Skanatati

Lake Skanatati Fall Foliage

Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanawauke from Pine Swamp Mountain

Pine Swamp Mountain View

Scenic Fall Foliage Scene

Lake Skanatati Dam

Me at the Pine Swamp Mountain View

Above View, Zoomed Out

Me at Lake Skanatati

Tranquil Lake Skanatati Scene

Fall Colors at Lake Skanatati

Me at Lake Skanatati

And One More View of Lake Skanatai

Kakiat Lower Loop Fall Hike

Kakiat County Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

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

Total Time: 0:50 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles

Pros: Short scenic climb with rewarding views
Cons: None

I was going out of town for several days, and prior to leaving went on a very short fall foliage hike at Kakiat prior to leaving later in the morning. I parked at the main parking area, crossed the bridge at the Mahwah River, and took the Mountain Trail up the mountain, and veered off at the shortcut up the rocky crag to the lower Kakiat view. I then proceeded north off the trail, along a very well-traversed bushwack route that I frequently take, to the Kakiat Trail where it crosses the brook after the Pipeline. I took the Kakiat Trail down the mountain, then continued on it along the foot. I then took the short connector to the Old Mill Trail, which I took for a very short distance to the trails end and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Mahwah River at the Entrance of Kakiat

Beginning of the Mountain Trail

Rocky Promenade at the Kakiat Lower Lookout

View Facing Southeast from the Kakiat Lower Lookout with NYC Skyline

View Facing East from the Kakiat Lower Lookout

Early Morning Sun

View from Kakiat Lower Viewpoint Facing South

Me at the Kakiat Lower Summit

Kakiat Trail at the Foot of the Mountain

Bear Mountain Appalachian Trail New Section Completed

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland/Orange Cos.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Excellent views and scenic trail
Cons: Very busy area on weekends

I was short on time, as rain was predicted later today. I wanted to do a short but scenic hike to enjoy the scenery, and wanted to check if the new portion of the Appalachian Trail connecting the end of Perkins Drive to the summit area.

I parked at the summit area near the tower on Perkins Memorial Drive, and took the Appalachian Trail north on the accessible trail, to the view on the north-facing area of Bear Mountain. The normally excellent view has poor visibility due to the fog.

I continued on the Appalachian Trail back south to the south-facing view of the mountain, and then continued down the trail to where it hits the old connector road. I took the old connector road to the Perkins Dead End, where the Appalachian Trail is reached again. At this point I noticed the new part of the Appalachian Trail that they were building for the past several years was finally completed and open. This part of the trail was very busy and full of people. But it was great seeing this new trail open for the first time. I took the new trail back to the top of the mountain and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Appalachian Trail at the Top of the Mountain

View at the Northern Lookout at Bear Mountain

Another View, with the Hudson River in View

Me at the Northern View

Southern View at Bear Mountain

Southern View, Facing Towards West Mountain

Southern View, Overlooking Queensboro Lake

Me at the Top View

Large Rock Exposure at the View

Walking along the Appalachian Trail

View Descending the Plateau

Overlooking West Mountain

Me Overlooking West Mountain

New Part of the Appalachian Trail

Stone Steps at the New Section of the AT

More Scenery at the New AT Trail

View South along the new AT Trail Section

View of the Hudson River Towards Peekskill

View of Bald Mountain and the Timp

View South of the Hudson River

Scenic New Section of Trail

Daters Mountain Early Fall Hike

Dater Mountain Nature Park
Sloatsburg
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Orange Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 23 minutes
Estimated Distance: 0.7 miles

Pros: Very short hike with good view
Cons: None

Daters Mountain is adjacent to Harriman State Park, and encompasses a scenic area near Sloatsburg with several views. On may way home from work on this nice early fall day, I decided to detour for a short hike due to the beautiful fall colors and pleasant weather. This is a great hike for something short with a rewarding view.

I parked at the Dater Mountain Nature Park parking pull-off on Johnsontown Road, and climbed up the mountain on the Orange Trail. After passing the Blue Trail intersection in about 5 minutes, I continued another 5 minutes to the view, which overlooks some of the peaks of southern Harriman. I took some pictures (with my cell phone) prior to dusk, and then headed back along the same route. 

Map of the Route

Fall Foliage at the Beginning of the Hike

Approaching the View

At the View

Three Peaks at the View

Another Variation of the View

Me at the View

View Facing South