Sunday, September 8, 2024

Black Rock Mountain to Kanawauke

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Blue blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.8 miles

Pros: Good climb, great views, very scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Point A to Point B
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
Car 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1vVqQKGjqeERRwmQA
Car 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/dq5rNM4FdHPa23oE7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This is one of my favorite areas in Harriman. It's good a good climb, rocky areas, is very scenic with cool rocks, has great views, and has scenic lakes. We parked the first car at Lake Kanawauke, and then parked the second car at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trailhead between Tom Jones and Black Rock Mountain. We climbed the trail up Black Rock Mountain, and continued along the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail to the Dunning Trail. We then took the Dunning Trail east to the Hogencamp Road, going through the abandoned mining ghost town, hiking down towards Kanawauke Road. We then walked along the road back to the first car.

Map of the Route

New Trail Map at the Trailhead

Black Rock Mountain First View








Black Rock and Main View







Glacial Erratics on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail









Bowling Rocks




View of Little Long Pond from the Distance



Little Long Pond


Monday, September 2, 2024

Storm King Labor Day Hike

Storm King State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Storm King Bypass Trail: White blaze
Howell Trail: Blue blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.6 Miles

Pros: Nice climb with great views
Cons: Parking area can be type
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xs1bVFxTdrYmRPcc7

The weather had been been perfect and this was a great Holiday weekend. I opted for a short hike at Storm King Mountain, one of my favorite hikes in the area. I parked at the Butter Hill Trailhead parking on Route 9W, and took the Bypass Trail along the base of Butter Hill. I then took the Howell Trail up to the Stillman Trail, which I took to the Butter Hill Summit. I then continued along the Stillman Trail and then took a short bushwhack to the Butter Hill Trail which I took back down to my car.

Map of the Route

View on the Bypass Trail



American Burnweed

American Burnweed on the Trail

Ascending the Mountain



View from the Butter Hill Summit






Butter Hill View







Trail Intersection

View Descending the Stillman Trail

Cairn on the Trail

Old Ruins on the Butter Hill Trail