Anthonys Nose Northern Approach on a Rainy Day

Hudson Highlands State Park,
Putnam and Westchester Counties.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Camp Smith Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb, Great view
Cons: Busy area generally
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hjvrSL9GAWdPsJnD9

This was a rainy Sunday. I had checked the radar and there was to the south moving up, but I underestimated the speed of the rain and the rain started coming down heavy as I left the summit, and it was raining very hard the entire way down. Lucky for me I have a rain poncho in my camelbak which came into good use. I took the Appalachian Trail up from the Bear Mountain Bridge to the Camp Smith Trail to the summit view. I then took the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Platform at the Beginning of the Hike

Beginning of the Hike

Route 9D and the County Line Sign

Beginning of the Hike

At the Appalachian Trail and Camp Smith Trail Junction

Bedrock on the Camp Smith Trail

Small Pond Near the Summit

Sign for the Summit View Spur Trail

Approaching the Anthony's Nose View

Bear Mountain Bridge

View of Iona Island and the Hudson River

View of Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River

Start of the Rain

The Same Pond Above in the Rain

Anthonys Nose Southern Approach Winter Hike

Hudson Highlands State Park,
Westchester Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Camp Smith Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:25 Hours
Estimated Distance: 2.6 miles

Pros: Good climb, excellent views
Cons: Difficulty parking, trail may be busy
Hike Type: Up and Down Same Route
Level of Difficulty: Difficult, especially in snowy and icy conditions

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/zhEdDRtzdr5992YRA

Hiking Partners:
Joseph Friedman
Elisha Friedman

The end of the previous week had warmed up, and although much of the snow had melted, there was still plenty of soft snow on the ground. The weather was seasonably cold, slightly above freezing, with a prediction for rain in the afternoon. It was cloudy and a bit windy, but there were several wet and muddy parts of the hike on the south-facing flanks of the mountain where the sun shone strongly.

We parked in the parking area in the bend on Routes 6/202. There isn't much parking here so on busy weekends it's recommended to come here early. On this day with snow covering the ground and rain in the forecast there weren't many cars here so plenty of parking space.

We took the Camp Smith Trail up, past the first view, where I broke my camera lens while accidentally dropping one. We continued up the trail, with the steep part up being very difficult with a combination of ice, snow, water, and mud. I took some pictures at the peak (with my phone camera at this point), and then headed back down along the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

Information Kiosk at the Beginning of the Hike

Start of the Hike

Broccy Creek at the Beginning of the Hike

Crossing Broccy Creek

Approaching the First View at Anthony's Nose

At the First View, Facing Hudson River and Bear Mountain

View Across the River Looking Towards Iona Island and West Mountain

Iona Island and Dunderberg Mountain

 Me at the First View

Bear Mountain from Across the Hudson River

Looking Ahead to the Anthony's Nose Summit

Overnight Campers at the First View

Small Pond at the First View

Warning Sign of Keeping out of the Live Firing Range

View from the Second View and the Bear Mountain Bridge

Bear Mountain Years from the Second View

Me at the Second View

Me Overlooking the Bear Mountain and Popolopen Gorge Bridges

Me on the Anthony's Nose Summit

View from Anthony's Nose Summit

View Facing South from the Anthony's Nose Summit

Sign to the Anthony's Nose Overlook at the Bear Mountain Bridge

Bear Mountain from Across Anthony's Nose

View from the Summit, Looking Across the Hudson River

View of Dunderberg Mountain

View Overlooking the Bear Mountain Bridge from Anthony's Nose

Me at the Overlook Above the Bear Mountain Bridge

Bear Mountain Ice Storm

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland/Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 0:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic area
Cons: Didn't get to do much of a hike

It had just snowed the night before, and the storm became an ice storm after several inches, causing all the tress to be glazed over with ice. Being that it was windy and the trees were covered in ice, I decide to hike at a more populated place, so I chose Bear Mountain.

I parked at the parking area down by the Hudson River Landing, and walked up to the path where it meets the Appalachian Trail at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Zoo. The scenery with everything covered with ice was breathtaking!

I tool the Appalachian Trail underneath Route 9W/202 to Hessian Lake, and proceeded to walk around the lake. After walking for a few minutes, I was approached by a police officer who told me I had to leave since conditions for hiking were unsafe. At this point I turned around and followed the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

View from the Parking Area

Sign with Ice Droplets

Bridge over the Hessian Lake Outlet Brook 

Hessian Lake Outlet Brook from the Bridge

Ascending on the Path up the Bear Mountain

View of Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River

Bear Mountain from Across Hessian Lake

Frozen Oak Tree at Hessian Lake

Hessian Lake

Hessian Lake and Bear Mountain

Leaves Glazed over in Ice

Another View of the Leaves Covered over in Ice

Ice-Laden Fallen Tree Covering the Path

View of Hudson River facing South Towards Peekskill

Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River