Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Sunday, May 3, 2026

Popolopen Spring Hike

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Excellent scramble and great views
Cons: Limited parking
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3dggNbRLZ1obu7xj9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

Popolopen is one of of my favorite hikes in the area. It's an intense, steep climb up with excellent views, and is a short loop hike. However, parking seems to be an issue on weekends, with very limited parking. It's important to park off the paved road surface otherwise tickets are given out. We parked on Mine Road near the northern part of the loop trail, and took the trail up to the top, and then looped around back down to our car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Map

Ascending Timp-Torne

First View While Ascending Timp-Torne

Hudson River and Bear Mountain Bridge

Rock at the Top of Popolopen

View of Bear Mountain from Popolopen

View of West Point from Popolopen

Popolopen Summit View

Flowers on the Trail

Sunday, April 26, 2026

West Mountain Hike B'Yachad

Harriman State Park /
Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland / Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Beechy Bottom Road
West Mountain Trail (former AT): Orange blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Anthony Wayne Trail: White blaze
Fawn Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:50
Estimated Distance: 4.3 miles

Pros: Great hike with good climb and many scenic views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FBvord7sG8j9HVSH7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

I had assisted Zev Freundlich, a teamwork coach and event organizer, to coordinate the hiking routes in Harriman for Hike B'yachad's hike from Monroe to Monsey to raise funds for Chai Lifeline. Hike B’Yachad is a project of Chai Lifeline’s Achim B’Yachad division, supporting children and families facing serious illness.

This incredible event brought the community together to hike from Monroe to Monsey in support of children battling cancer and serious illness, turning “every mile into hope. West Mountain has always been one of my favorite hikes in the area, and is right in between Monsey and Monroe.

It was great seeing the operation in full swing at the staging area at West Mountain, and then meeting the hikers as they made their way across the ridge atop West Mountain as I traveled in the other direction, greeting each of them that were on this leg of the route.

We parked at Anthony Wayne Recreation area, and took the rerouted Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail at its temporary concurrency with Beechy Bottom Road. We then took the West Mountain Trail (former Appalachian Trail) up West Mountain from the southern flank, to the concurrency with the Timp-Torne Trail along the ridge at West Mountain. We then took the Appalachian Trail down and then took the Fawn Trail to the Anthony Wayne Trail back to our car.