Sunday, September 13, 2020

West Mountain Ridge and Loop

Harriman / Bear Mountain State Parks
Rockland / Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1777 W Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Suffern Bear-Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 Miles

Pros: Good climb and excellent views
Cons: None

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/hjGtLPZYP5kZHM1T7

I really like West Mountain. It features a very good climb up to a ridge with excellent views on all sides. I had not been here in some time, and the main parking area had been closed for the Coronavirus testing area at Anthony Wayne. I wanted a solid hike with a good hike and good views, as I hadn't done this mountain since the past summer. I also wanted to see the testing area from above.

I parked at the Appalachian Trail trailhead parking off Seven Lakes Drive at the valley between West Mountain and Bear Mountain. I took the 1777 W Trail very briefly from the parking lot to the Appalachian Trail. I then took the Appalachian Trail up West Mountain as it winds it's way up to join the Timp-Torne Trail, with some excellent views near the intersection and beyond it.

I continued along the ridge on the joint Appalachian Trail and, until where split, and then remained on the Timp-Torne Trail to the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail near the shelter. I took the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail down the northern flank of mountain, down some steep sections, until the mountain foot where I met the 1777 W Trail. Then took the 1777 W Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Plaque at the Appalachian Trail 

First View Ascending West Mountain

View of Bear Mountain from West Mountain

View to the East Towards the Hudson River and Iona Island

Zoomed into the Above Area

Me at the View on West Mountain with Bear Mountain Behind Me

View Looking Northeast Towards Anthony's Nose

Confluence of the Appalachian and the Timp-Torne Trail

View with the Appalachian and Timp-Torne Trail Markers on the Rock

View of the Anthony Wayne Parking Area with the COVID testing area

Another View of the Anthony Wayne Parking Lot with the COVID testing area
Me at the View on the Western Front of West Mountain


View Looking North from West Mountain

View Facing South from West Mountain

View Facing North from West Mountain

View Facing Northwest from West Mountain
Rocky Face Facing South on West Mountain


View of West Mountain Parking Areas at Anthony Wayne

View Facing Anthony's Nose from West Mountain

View Before the Descent on West Mountain

Scenery along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail

Early Foliage Brush on West Mountain

No comments:

Post a Comment