Twins Cave at Nachal Dolev Reserve

Near Bet Shemesh
Israel

Hiking Trails:
Twins Cave (Hateumim) Trail

Total Time: 1:10
Estimated Distance: 1.7 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, cave
Cons: Cave was closed
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BKHsPv5j27WUfb3x8

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

I was visiting friends and family on a trip to Israel. I took the opportunity to hike with Shimmy. We had wanted to do a longer hike, but the weather was rainy, so we waited to the end of the day and did a nice hike while it wasn't raining.

We parked at the Nachal Dolev reserve at the Twins (Hateumim) Cave and took the trail in the valley towards the cave. The cave was closed in the winter for bats so we weren't able to go in. We hiked a bit further and then turned around and then went back the same route.

Map of the Route

At the Trailhead

Rock Formations Along the Trail

Cave Entrance

More Rock Formations

More Cave Formations

Me and Shimmy

Claudius Smith Den and Black Ash Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail: Red blaze
Blue Disc Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Cool formations and nice views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/TP8za439RDLqwM3L7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

I've been to Claudius Smith Den many times but hadn't extended the hike to Black Ash Mountain, which is also very scenic with good views and a nice climb. We parked at the Ramapo River fishing access and walked along the road, under the Thruway, and then up the mountain from the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trailhead. We climbed up to the Tuxedo view, and then continued to Claudius Smith Den. On the top of the mountain we saw the Jennings Creek Fire near Greenwood Lake in the distance making a large plume of smoke.

We continued along the Blue Disc Trail on Black Ash Mountain and then headed down the mountain. The swamp below was all dry due to the drought conditions. We then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail along the side of the mountain, past the Black Ash Mine, and then back to the trailhead and back to our car.

Map of the Route

View of Tuxedo at Smith Rock. Note the smoke in the distance.

View at the Gas Line

Claudius Smith Den Rock Formation

Claudius Smith Den View, and Jennings Creek Fire

Zoomed into the Fire

Black Ash Mountain

Black Ash Mine