Sunday, September 17, 2017

West Mountain and Fire Escape

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles

Pros: Excellent scramble and great views
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Elad Hillman

This was a warm September day. It started off foggy and cloudy, with poor visibility, but then the sun came out towards the end of the hike. I have been to this area many times, to the southern portion of West Mounain. This area features very scenic scenery with good scrambles and views. However, despite being here many times, I never climbed up the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail along the southern approach to West Mountain, and have only climbed down. This is a great scramble, being very steep and dramatic, with a great view on the top.

We parked at the south end of the Anthony Wayne Parking area, and took the bike path trail to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, which took up the mountain. We then cut across a short distance to the Suffern-Bear MOuntain Trail where we climbed the last ascent up the steep Fire Escape Scramble. This area, listed as the "Cat's Elbow" on the current NY/NJ Conference maps, is listed as the "Fire Escape" on old maps.

From there we went up and over the ridge, going through the valley and then back up to one of the main views at West Mountain. We then went down along the Appalachian Trail, back to the Bike Trail and then back to the car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman State Park

Hebrew Graffiti on the Bike Path 
Crossing the Beechy Bottom Path, in Early Autumn


Me Ascending the Fire Escape

At the Top of the Fire Escape

Me at the View

View Facing Southwest

The Above View, Zoomed Out

Early Fall Colors

Facing West

Me at the View

Sun Beginning to Peak Out

Nice Colors

Along the Timp Torn Trail

Approaching the West Mountain View

West Mountain View at the Appalachian and Timp Torne Trails

Trail Marker at the Above View

West Mountain View

View Facing Northwest

Me at the West Mountain View

View Descending the Appalachian Trail on West Mountain

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