Hook Mountain Ridge Hike

Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Yellow Trail: Yellow blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Good climb and excellent views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bzNzAZNxLmFG8oLA8

I wanted a short but sweet hike with good views and a good climb, and this hike fit the bill. I parked on Route 9W by the Yellow Trail, and took the Yellow Trail up the mountain to the intersection of the Long Path, which is the summit of the mountain and affords a beautiful view. I continued along the ridge northward on the Long Path to several more beautiful views of the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. At the point where the trail veers away from the edge of the ridge I turned around and went back the same route I came, but took the Long Path down at the last view and then took the Yellow Trail back.

Map of the Route

Hook Mountain Summit 

Tappan Zee Bridge

Flowering Beavertail Cactus

Hook Mountain Summit

View Above Nyack Beach

My Turn Around Point

Chevra I Met at the Return Route

Twins Cave Wadi Dolev

Nachal Dolev Reserve
Near Bet Shemesh
Israel

Hiking Trails:
Twins Cave (Hateumim) Trail

Total Time: 1:05
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, fascinating cave
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BKHsPv5j27WUfb3x8

Hiking Partner:
Judah Friedman

Back in November I made a trip to Israel and went to the Twins Cave (Maareh HaTeumim) near Bet Shemesh in the Nachal Dolev (Wadi Dolev) Reserve. The cave was closed for the wintering of the bats and we couldn't explore. Now in the summer the cave was open and we were able to explore the cave. We took the the Twins Cave (Hateumim) Trail to the cave, and went in the path in the cave to the end.

It's a large wild cave with stalagmites and stalactites, and is completely dark so a flashlight is needed. There were lots of bats present sleeping on the ceiling and they were making squeaking sounds. After exploring the cave and leaving, we headed back along the same route back to the trailhead.

Wild Gazelle Near the Trailhead

Information Plaques at the Trailhead

Hiking Trail

Entrance to the Cave

Fig Tree Growing Out of the Cave

Sign in the Cave

Inside the Cave

On the Way Back