Bear Mountain Major Welch Downhill

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland/Orange Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Major Welch Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: :30 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.6 Miles

Pros: Great scramble and views
Cons: Very busy on bottom
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

I usually make a trip to Bear Mountain on one of the Wednesday's in the summer when the park hosts the vintage car show. The show involves vintage and eclectic car hobbyists coming up the large lawn at Bear Mountain and showing off their cars. Its a nice event and very worthwhile visiting.

This time I had my wife drop me off at the Major Welch Trail where it crosses Perkins Memorial Drive. So this hike was down the mountain to the inn area and car show. I ran down the trail very fast, only stopping to take some pictures at the view and at Hessian Lake. My hiking shoes were in poor condition and combined with my lack of hiking sticks and no breaks really put me in pain the next day, spraining my leg muscles.

Please excuse the picture quality. They were taken with my cell phone camera.)

Map of the Route

Major Welch Trail Atop Bear Mountain

View on the Major Welch Trail

At the Famous Viewpoint

Bear Mountain Bridge in the Distance

Looking Towards Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River

Me at the Top

Hudson River and Anthony's Nose

Hudson River Facing North

Looking Towards Brooks Lake

Large Rock Face Descending the Major Welch

Hessian Lake Approaching Sunset

Hessian Lake with Anthony's Nose Towering Behind the Lake

Car Show at Bear Mountain