Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Nurian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: .5 hour
Estimated Distance: 1 Mile

Pros: Good climb with good view
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/tpTuRiTcNMbze9vF6 

Black Rock Mountain is a favorite of mine. It's a very scenic area with great views. I had slightly under an hour for a hike including driving, so this was a great choice. This is a great short hike although the scenic area extends beyond the area I climbed. I parked at the trailhead parking at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail and climbed up, and then took an old trail around the summit to the Nurian Trail, and then up the summit. I then took pictures at the top and then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail back down to my car.

Black Rock Mountain

Stream at the Beginning of the Hike

Ascending Black Rock Mountain

Black Rock Mountain Summit

Anthonys Nose Northern Approach on a Rainy Day

Hudson Highlands State Park,
Putnam and Westchester Counties.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Camp Smith Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb, Great view
Cons: Busy area generally
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hjvrSL9GAWdPsJnD9

This was a rainy Sunday. I had checked the radar and there was to the south moving up, but I underestimated the speed of the rain and the rain started coming down heavy as I left the summit, and it was raining very hard the entire way down. Lucky for me I have a rain poncho in my camelbak which came into good use. I took the Appalachian Trail up from the Bear Mountain Bridge to the Camp Smith Trail to the summit view. I then took the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Platform at the Beginning of the Hike

Beginning of the Hike

Route 9D and the County Line Sign

Beginning of the Hike

At the Appalachian Trail and Camp Smith Trail Junction

Bedrock on the Camp Smith Trail

Small Pond Near the Summit

Sign for the Summit View Spur Trail

Approaching the Anthony's Nose View

Bear Mountain Bridge

View of Iona Island and the Hudson River

View of Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River

Start of the Rain

The Same Pond Above in the Rain

Boulder Rock at South Mountain, Catskills

Catskills Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Escarpment Trail: Blue blaze
Red Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.6 Miles

Pros: Great views
Cons: Busy area at Catskill Mountain House Site
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hqRcXtwJ6u6GZ2BE6

I was staying at North/South Lake Campground in the Catskills for the day, and did this short hike during my stay. The first view is at the Catskill Mountain House Site, where the impressive and historic Catskill Mountain House once stood. This hotel was above the cliff overlooking the Hudson Valley. It is situated on the Escarpment Trail right near North-South Lake. We were parked near the beach area at North Lake, and took the Escarpment Trail a short distance to the Catskill Mountain House Site. We then continued along the trail, climbing up South Mountain and walking along the ridge with excellent views along the route. We continued past Boulder Rock and Split Rock and then took the Red Trail back to the Mountain House and back to the camping area.

Map of the Route

View Looking North Approaching the Catskill Mountain House Site

View at the Catskills Mountain House Site

Historic Mountain House Plaque

Ascending South Mountain. (Note the Chipmunk Center Left.)

Chipmunk Eating an Acorn

Rock Formations with a Historical Marking

View Along the Escarpment Trail

Trail Intersection Near Boulder Rock

Boulder Rock

View at Split Rock

Near Split Rock

Balanced Rock