Mount Tammany Loop

Delaware Water Gap,
Worthington State Forest
Warren Co, NJ

Hiking Trails:
Red Dot Trail: Red blaze
Pahaquarry Trail: Blue blaze
Blue Dot Trail: Blue blaze
Dunnfield Creek Trail: Green blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles

Pros: Excellent climb and view
Cons: Very busy area with many people
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qiStZYXzV2sfGL8P9

Mt. Tammany had been on my bucket list. I've been there in the past, but had not had a chance to do the full loop. On this trip I had the time for the full loop. One of the biggest challenges of this hike, is the limited parking on weekends as well as how busy the hike is. I was lucky to find a spot. The weather was hot and very humid, making this steep hike difficult. We parked at the Appalachian Trail Parking at the Dunnfield Creek area. I hiked to the Red Dot Trail up the steep climb to the first view.

I then continued up the ridge the main summit view, passing many people along the way. The summit was very busy but afforded a great view. I continued along the Pahaquarry Trail after the view, which was much quitter after the summit. At the intersection of the Blue Dot Trail there is another view, and I took that trail down the mountain. At the intersection with the Dunnfield Creek Trail I continued along the scenic creek, to the Appalachian Trail, and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Signs

First View

Ascending Up the Scramble

View Nearing the Summit

Summit View, Looking Towards Mt. Minsi in PA

Pahaquarry and Blue Dot Trail Quarry Intersection

View at the Pahaquarry and Blue Dot Trail Quarry Intersection

Waterfalls at Dunnfield Creek

Dunnfield Creek

Minisceongo Falls

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Minisceongo Falls Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.7 Miles

Pros: Nice waterfalls
Cons: Trail isn't in great shape
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YmNVAZg5MeezyaDk9

It had been a very rainy July, with several big storms leading to lots of water in the streams. I went to Minisceongo Falls as I figured the water level was very high, which made the waterfalls very impressive. This waterfalls is very easy to access but there is no official trail and it's not on any maps, making it a hidden gem at the entrance to Harriman. I parked at the Suffern-Bear Mountain trailhead at the Fire Tower area, and took the unofficial path along the side of the stream down to the falls, and then turned back and went the same way back.

Map of the Route

Upper Falls

Minisceongo Creek

Middle Falls

Above the Main Falls

Main Falls at Minisceongo Falls

Storm King Summer Loop

Storm King State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Storm King Bypass Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Good climb, good scramble, and good view
Cons: Limited parking
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V62QDBjYiMwQFUS76

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was a warm summer day, and we decided to do the loop atop Storm King Mountain. We parked at the Butter Hill Parking area on Route 9W. The parking lot was almost full as it fills up quickly on weekends, but there were still a few spots available. We took the Butter Hill Trail up the scramble, and enjoyed the view. We continued up to the top of Butter Hill, where we took the Stillman Trail atop the ridge to the view facing north to Newburgh at the top of Storm King Proper. We then took the Storm King Bypass Trail down along the south face of the mountain back to our car.

Map of the Route

Information Plaque at the Start of the Hike

Scramble Up Butter Hill

View of Bull Hill on the Ascent

Continuing Up Butter Hill

Butter Hill View of Parking Area

View of Hudson River

Trail Intersection at Buttter Hill

Butter Hill

Fresh Ripe Blueberries

Butter Hill Summit

Storm King Summit

View of the Hudson River and Newburgh

View of the Hudson River and Breakneck Ridge

View of Newburgh

View of Butter Hill from the Bypass Trail