Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Popolopen Torne First Day of Spring Hike

Popolopen Torne First Day of Spring Hike
Bear Mountain State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 1.0 mile

Pros: Great climb and excellent views
Cons: Busy area and parking can be a challenge
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult but short

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/GfdM4aJemx6HY5WE6

I had been to Popolopen Gorge a few weeks prior in the winter snow. Now with all the snow melted and a very warm and pleasant first day of spring, I decided to come back to this favorite hike of mine. I was short on time, and this hike is great for a short and sweet hike, with the total hike time being less than an hour. I also had lost a glove on my previous hike in the area and figured I'd come back to see if perhaps it was still there. Although it started out a bit chilly in the morning, there was no need for any jacket or coat by the time I started hiking, and I was able to hike comfortably in short sleeves.

I parked in the roadside parking lot on Mine Road, and took the Timp Torne Trail up at it's eastern side. I then cut across the unmarked connector path to the western flank of the trail, which is a better route up. I climbed up the rocky area to the summit, took some good pictures, and then continued along the north flank and started the descent. I continued along the loop which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Getchke at the Hiking Parking Area on the Timp-Torne Trail

Interesting Signage at the Beginning of the Trail

The Start of the Scramble up Popolopen

Large Rock Slab on the Scramble Up

Newly Installed Rope on the Trail Up

Dwarf Pines on the Route Up

Bear Mountain from the Popolopen Ascent

View Facing East Towards the Bear Mountain Bridge, Hudson River, and Anthony's Nose

Me at the Above View

Overlooking Fort Montgomery and the Hudson River

Zoomed into the Palisades Parkway, Hudson River, and Peekskill

Palisades Parkway, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Route 6/202 from Popolopen

Summit Rock at Popolopen

View Facing Northeast at Popolopen

Large Rock Slab at the Popolopen Summit

View from Popolopen Summit Facing Southeast

View from Popolopen Facing West

View from Popolopen Facing South

Palisades Parkway Below Popolopen Torne

View From Popolopen Summit Facing North

Ever-Growing Summit Cairn

People at the Popolopen Cairn and Summit

View from Popolopen Facing Northwest

Looking South Towards the Popolopen Summit

Me at the Popolopen Summit, Facing West

Me at the Popolopen Summit Facing Near the Hudson

Wednesday, March 17, 2021

Overlook Mountain and Overlook Mountain House, Catskills

Overlook Mountain Wild Forest,
Catskills Park,
near Woodstock,
Ulster Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Overlook Mountain Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 Miles

Pros: Impressive historical ruins, great views
Cons: Trail up is wide and boring with telephone lines
Hike Type: Out and Back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/w7wrN7994MwxkZNQ8

Overlook Mountain is one of the more famous hikes in the Catskills. It involves a very doable hike to a massive, abandoned hotel ruins, an excellent view, and a fire tower with views on all sides. The mountain peak is at 3,140 feet above sea level, which leaves it somewhat short of the higher 3,500+ foot mountains in the Catskills. However, it is still a popular peak due to its great views and points of interest along the southernmost part of the Catskills Escarpment.

The hike is a good climb, with an elevation gain of over 1,300 feet on a very easy wide path that used to be a road. The very wide trail with the power lines lacks the more natural feel of some of the other popular Catskill hikes. But despite the boring path up, it all becomes worth it near the end at the Overlook Mountain House and subsequent view and fire tower.

The weather was very pleasant, and was in the mid-50's. In fact, it was a cloudy day but as I drove up to the parking trailhead the clouds had cleared and I was above the clouds with a bright sun and blue sky. The trail was completely covered with ice at the beginning, and as I climbed it became covered with snow and the entire area was fully covered with snow. I had snow crampons for the hike which proved to be a very wide choice to bring despite the warm weather.

I parked at the trailhead at Meads Mountain Road. There is a large Tibetan Buddhist Temple across the parking trailhead which looks like its out of the Himalayas. The parking lot is not big so I assume this fills up pretty quickly on nice weekends, though there is an overflow lot a half mile further west. I took the Overlook Mountain Trail up the mountain, and was amazed upon reaching the Overlook Mountain Trail at it's sheet size. I explored the abandoned structure, and passed by the smaller building across from it, and then continued along the trail to the view. I then went to the fire tower and climbed up catching some more good views. I then turned around and headed down the mountain back along the same trail.