Hook Mountain Short Loop Hike

Hook Mountain State Park,
Near Nyack,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Yellow Trail: Yellow blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Short and sweet: Good climb, great views
Cons: Urban field of view
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/dtPUUPejWzoWgE4b7

Hiking Partner:
Elisha J. Friedman

I was on the way to a tradeshow out of town, and as my first hike where I could do elevation, this was a great start back into regular hiking. Although it was short, the hike and view were great. We parked on Route 9W at the top of the ridge north of Nyack. We took the Yellow Trail up, and then took the last leg up the mountain on the Long Path. We stopped at the top of Hook Mountain, with nice views on both sides. We then took the Yellow Trail down and then the Long Path on the southern flank of the mountain. We bushwhacked a short distance near Route 9W up to Route 9W which we took back to the car.

Map of the Route

Start of the Yellow Trail on Route 9W

Steep Rocky Part on the Long Path up to the Hook Mountain Summit

Ascending Hook Mountain Summit

View Ascending the Hook Mountain Summit

Ascending Hook Mountain

Beavertail Cactus on Hook Mountain

Hook Mountain Summit and Tappan Zee Bridge

View Southwest from Hook Mountain

Hook Mountain View Facing North

Hook Mountain View from the Long Path