West Mountain Ridgeline

Harriman State Park
Rockland and Orange Cos.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Anthony Wayne Trail: White blaze
Fawn Trail: Red blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Beechy Bottom Road: Unblazed

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points of Interest: View, terrain, and historical mine
Pros: Excellent climb and several views
Cons: None

West Mountain is one of my favorite mountains in the Harriman/Bear Mountain area. It has multiple views as well as a good climb with some scrambling. I had not done the ridge above Anthony Wayne in a long time, and figured the spring weather would provide us a good opportunity for this. We parked at the northern end of the Anthony Wayne area, and headed on the Anthony Wayne Trail to the Fawn Trail, and then to the Timp-Torne Trail, which ascends up the ridge.

The ridgeline of West Mountain along the Timp-Torne Trail is relatively narrow, providing excellent views on both sides of the ridge. The Timp-Torne Trail meets in conjunction with the Appalachian Trail, and at the split we continued along the Appalachian Trail down the mountain, and cut across along a spur to Beechy Bottom Road. We veered off road a little bit further down Beechy Bottom Road to view the Mica Mine, an old 1800's era mine which used to provide large Mica sheets. We then continued on the Beechy Bottom Road taking the path that goes back to the parking area, back to the parking area where our car was located.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails Northern Map

View of Bear Mountain while Ascending West Mountain on the T-T Trail

Fresh Spring Greenery

Me Atop a Scramble on the T-T Trail

Me Atop a Rockface

Another Perspective of the Above Picture

First Significant Viewpoint, Facing West

Another View of Bear Mountain

Me a the View

Me at the View

Me at the View

Walking Through Notch in Large Rock Wall

Me Again

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FromWest Mountain Facing South

Tree Flowers Sprouting

A Black Vulture I Encountered Along the Trail

Nice View Starting the Descent

Another Nice View on the Descent

Beechy Bottom Mica Mine, off the Beechy Bottom Road

Anthony Wayne Trail

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Trails:
1777 W Trail: Red blaze
Timp- Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Anthony Wayne Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hr
Estimated Distance: 5.7 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not Recommended
Points Of Interest: Turkey Hill Lake

Google Maps of Parking:

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I parked at the lower Bear Mountain Trailhead off of Seven Lakes Drive, and took the 1777 W Trail west paralleling the road. At its intersection with the Time Torn Trail, took the trail across the Palisades Parkway on the overpass, and then around the Queensboro Lake police shooting range, and then continued on the trail to the shoreline of Queensboro Lake. Continued along the trail across the brook, and right after the crossing there is a nice small waterfall cascade right below the outlet dam of the Turkey Hill Lake.

Turkey Hill Lake is one of the most remote and serene Lakes in Harriman, with no vehicular access so it always requires a hike to view. Continued along the path on the southern shore of the lake, and at the intersection of the Anthony Wayne Trail I veered south onto that trail. I took the Anthony Wayne Trail in its entirety from beginning to end. Continued on the trail to Route 6, crossed the busy road, and then went into the wet and swampy area until 7 Lakes Drive. I fell in the mud a few times here on the trail getting my boots and pants all muddy. Crossed 7 Lakes Drive at Queensboro Brook, and then continued along the trail past the Anthony Wayne Rec area and then all the way to the end of the trail at the intersection of the Timp Torne Trail. Much of the Anthony Wayne Trail is very close to the highway and you constantly hear the loud sounds of the cars on the highway, which disturb the sense of serenity. Took the Timp-Torne north for a very short distance to the 1777 W and then headed back to my car from there.

Map of the Route

I recommend staying on the trail as well.
Sign on trail near Queensboro Lake.

Queensboro Lake from 1777 W Trail. Facing southeast.

Another view of Queensboro Lake

Small waerfall near the Turkey Hill Lake outlet.

Turkey Hill Lake. Facing east.

Turkey Hill Lake. Facing east with Long Mountain in the background.

Turkey Hill Lake, facing east at Bear Mountain.

Plaque explaining the revolutionary trail markers at the beginning of the trail.