Sunday, October 11, 2026

Ramapo Reservation Rain Hike

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Mahwah,
Bergen Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Vista Spur: Yellow/Black blaze
Vista Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
River Connector Trail: Orange/Black blaze
River Loop: Orange blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake, waterfalls
Cons: Slippery in rain
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGNbXv6gowAaYiGA7

It was a rainy fall day. The rain was supposed to start later in the day, but it came early and it came strong. It was the leftovers of Hurricane Isaias that had affected the Gulf Coast earlier in the weekend. I can prepared with rain gear and an umbrella and stayed mostly dry until the end where the trail was flooded.

I parked in the main parking area for Ramapo Reservation, and took the Vista Spur trail for a short distance across the Ramapo River to the Vista Loop around Scarlet Oak Pond. I looped around the lake on the trail, and continued along the trail to waterfalls. I then turned around and took the River Connector Trail to the River Trail Loop back to the Vista Loop Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route


Ramapo River from the Trail Bridge


Scarlet Oak Pond in the Fall






Mountain View on a Rainy Day

Vista Loop Around Scarlet Oak Pond


Bridge Near the Waterfalls

Ramapo Reservation Waterfalls


Flooded River Trail

Ramapo River

Friday, October 9, 2026

Piermont Pier Fall Walk

Piermont,
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Piermont Pier

Total Time: 0:50
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Scenic River Walk
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/asazjgUZGcQshTwA9

This was more of a walk than a hike. I included it here because of its beautiful scenery and walking path along the Hudson River. It was a really nice fall day, being warm and sunny. I left my office for the weekend on Friday afternoon, and took a detour on my way home to the Piermont Pier to enjoy good walking with pretty river views. I parked in the parking area at the beginning of the pier, and walked up the pier road to the end of pier. I detoured back along the path on the north side of the apartments.

Map of the Route

Piermont Pier Sign

Tallman Mountain and the Piermont Marsh

Marsh Phragmites and the Hudson River

Low Tide Looking Across the Hudson River to Westchester

Strange Statue on the Pier

Tappan Zee Bridge


Tappan Zee Bridge with Hook Mountain in the Background


Piermont Pier


Looking Towards the Palisades and Piermont



Pier Dock Ruins


Hudson River and Irvington

Small Boat in the Hudson River

Hudson River Looking South



Piermont