Sunday, March 25, 2018

Popolopen Late Winter Hike

Bear Mountain State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Timp Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Great climb and excellent views
Cons: Hike is short

Hiking Partner:
Rayzi Friedman

Popolopen is one of my favorite hikes in Harriman/Bear Mountain. Its a great scramble over large rocks, with an excellent 360 degree view at the summit of a very scenic area. However, it is a very short hike, forming a quick loop. I would love to see the trail expanded north to the newly added park area north and northwest of the trail. Since we were short on time, this was a good choice for a short and quick yet intense hike.

This hike was in late March. March has been well-below average, with several snowstorms and lingering snow. Although much of the snow from the large storm had already melted, there was still plenty of snow in the areas on the north-facing slopes that had less exposure to the sun.

We parked at the trailhead for Popolopen Torne, and walked along the road a short distance to the western side of the loop, which features a better and more direct climb up to the summit. We took the Timp-Torne trail up to the relatively low but expansive summit, and then continued around the loop and back down the mountain to the trailhead by the road where our car was parked.

Map of the Route

Wood Face Carvings at the Trail Parking Lot

Another Face Carving with the Trail Markers

Rayzi Climbing the Rock Scramble

Navigating a Large Rock Face

The First View, Facing West

Pine Tree on a Large Rock Face

Snow-Covered Northern Flank of Bear Mountain

Trail Going on Some Interesting Rocks

Me at the First View

View Facing the Palisades Parkway

More Dwarf Pines

Facing Southeast Towards Haverstraw Bay

The Hudson River, Anthony's Nose, and Bear Mountain Bridge

Bear Mountain across the Valley

View Towards the Harriman Hills

Me at the Summit

Facing Northeast

Facing Southeast

Scene at the Summit

Zoomed in to the Summit Mound

From the Summit, Facing North

The Summit Facing South

Facing West

Starting to Descend from the Summit

Rayzi, Facing North

Me, Facing North

Snow on the Descent

Last View

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