Sunday, October 6, 2019

Bear Mountain Appalachian Trail New Section Completed

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland/Orange Cos.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Excellent views and scenic trail
Cons: Very busy area on weekends

I was short on time, as rain was predicted later today. I wanted to do a short but scenic hike to enjoy the scenery, and wanted to check if the new portion of the Appalachian Trail connecting the end of Perkins Drive to the summit area.

I parked at the summit area near the tower on Perkins Memorial Drive, and took the Appalachian Trail north on the accessible trail, to the view on the north-facing area of Bear Mountain. The normally excellent view has poor visibility due to the fog.

I continued on the Appalachian Trail back south to the south-facing view of the mountain, and then continued down the trail to where it hits the old connector road. I took the old connector road to the Perkins Dead End, where the Appalachian Trail is reached again. At this point I noticed the new part of the Appalachian Trail that they were building for the past several years was finally completed and open. This part of the trail was very busy and full of people. But it was great seeing this new trail open for the first time. I took the new trail back to the top of the mountain and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Appalachian Trail at the Top of the Mountain

View at the Northern Lookout at Bear Mountain

Another View, with the Hudson River in View

Me at the Northern View

Southern View at Bear Mountain

Southern View, Facing Towards West Mountain

Southern View, Overlooking Queensboro Lake

Me at the Top View

Large Rock Exposure at the View

Walking along the Appalachian Trail

View Descending the Plateau

Overlooking West Mountain

Me Overlooking West Mountain

New Part of the Appalachian Trail

Stone Steps at the New Section of the AT

More Scenery at the New AT Trail

View South along the new AT Trail Section

View of the Hudson River Towards Peekskill

View of Bald Mountain and the Timp

View South of the Hudson River

Scenic New Section of Trail

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