Panther Mountain Fall Hike

Harriman State Park /
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Good climb, quiet area
Cons: Limited parking
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NHrxLoCMtADaf9Zk7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

Panther Mountain has a steep climb up from the Ramapo Mountain foothills, and affords a great views from the top after a rocky climb. We parked at the Horse Stable off Route 202 near Wilder Road, and took the Pine Meadow Trail from its eastern terminus up. At the intersection of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, we took that trail north to the rocky crag that has a sweeping view of the east and south. We then turned around and went the same route back.

Map of the Route

Panther Mountain Behind the Horse Stables

Pine Meadow Trailhead

Rocky Ascent up Panther Mountain

View from the Panther Mountain Viewpoint

Long Path Trail Through West Point

Harriman State Park /
West Point USMA Property
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Long path: Green blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Quiet, remote area
Cons: Trail isn't always open
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3c13Lx3cXWZAx5db9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

My newest Trail Conference map that I purchased for Harriman/Bear Mountain State Parks contains a new trail listed on it. It's a seasonal rerouting of the Long Path through West Point USMA Property. It's closed May 1 through August 14 and November 1 through December 31. I always get excited when there are new trails. I wasn't able to do the entire trail and will finish the next round at a later date. 

We parked at on Route 293 on the side of Barnes Lake. We walked the short trail to Barnes Lake and then turned around and took the connection trail to the Long Path. We took the Long Path north up the mountain, and then connected with the new Long Path trail through West Point property. We took the trail to the ridge aboe Monroe overlooking Woodbury Commons, and then walkd on the trail along the ridge. We then turned around and went back along the same route.

Map of the Route

Barnes Lake

Trailhead at West Point Military Property

Trail Marker on the New Trail

Trail Scenery

Seasonal Long Path Trail

View by the Power Lines

View Overlooking Woodbury Commons

Bedrock where we Ended the Hike and Turned Around

Lake Askoti Hasenclever Mountain Pine Swamp Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red blaze
Bottle Cap Extension Trail: Bottle Cap blazes

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles

Pros: Very scenic lake and good views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/yBBvb8mYxyxpcmAa8

I parked at the Lake Skanatati parking area, and climbed up the Arden-Surebridge Trail, and then tool the Red Cross Trail down to Seven Lakes Drive. I crossed Seven Lakes Drive and stopped at the rock peninsula at the northern end of Lake Askoti for some great photos. I then continued along the Arden-Surebridge Trail up to the view at Hasenclever Mountain.

I then took the detour on the Bottle Cap Extension Trail, which connects the Camp Thendara Road to the Arden-Surebridge Trail. I then took the Camp Thendara Road and crossed Seven Lakes Drive, and then took the unnamed Woods Road to Pine Swamp Mine. I then took the Arden-Surebridge Trail back to the trailhead.

(Note: This is my first hike for almost a year that I am back with my Sony Alpha camera. My camera had broken the previous fall and I finally got a replacement. I was using my cell phone camera for the past 10 months.)

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati

Arden-Surebridge Trail

Lake Askoti North Peninsula

Ascending Hasenclever Mountain

Hasenclever Mountain View

Bottlecap Extension Trailhead

Woods Road near Pine Swamp Mine

Mine Pit at Pine Swamp Mine

Pine Swamp Mountain View Overlooking Lake Kanawauke