Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Appalachian Trail

Showing posts with label Appalachian Trail. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Fitzgerald Falls

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail (AT): White blaze

Total Time: 0:30
Estimated Distance: 0.7 Miles

Pros: Scenic Waterfalls
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KyyrWo8C8g3F3ebGA

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

We had hiked at the Cat Rocks and Eastern Pinnacles and were in the area, and decided to do another quick hike to Fitzgerald Falls, which is a short walk from the trailhead. We parked at the Lakes Road pullout at by the Appalachian Trail. We took the Appalachian Trail east for a short distance to the falls, and I climbed the steps above the falls. I then turned around and took the same route back.

Map of the Route

Appalachian Trail at the Power Lines

Trout Brook Crossing

Appalachian Trail

Waterfalls Before Fitzgerald Falls

Fitzgerald Falls

Trail Steps Next to the Falls

Brook Above the Falls

Fitzgerald Falls

Prior to the Bridge

Eastern Pinnacles Cat Rocks at Bellvale Mountain

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail (AT): White blaze
Appalachian Trail Spur: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Pros: Rocks formations, great views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kmWyRsCoiZ5KSmDs9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was a nice hike on a beautiful fall day. It had just rained for almost 3 days straight with an early season Noreaster, and the rain had finally cleared and the clouds were dissipating. We parked on Route 17A atop Bellvale Mountain, at the Appalachian Trail, and took the Appalachian Trail. The trail is unremarkable until reaching the Eastern Pinnacles, which affords a phenomenal view facing east and north a top a steep rock face. We continued along the AT, as slopes downwards, until reaching Cat Rocks, which is another interesting formation where the rock juts above the surroundings with a steep drop-off and some interesting crevices. We took the blue-blazed Appalachian Trail Spur around the Cat Rocks for the return route, and then by the Eastern Pinnacles we once again too the blue-blazed Appalachian Trail Spur. We then continued back along the Appalachian Trail back to our car.

Map of the Route

Eastern Pinnacles View

Facing Towards Schunnemunk Mountain

Yehudah Koblick on Eastern Pinnacles

Me at Eastern Pinnacles

Ascending Cat Rocks

Me Atop Cat Rocks

Cat Rocks Crevice

Cat Rocks Bypass

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Bear Mountain Summit and Southern Approach

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
1777 Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:45
Estimated Distance: 2.5 Miles

Pros: Great views, scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: 2 Car Point to Point
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:

Car 1:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8MwUByJk5JdS7PyQ6

Car 2:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3T2dd33VZx2aRJVk9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

There are three approaches up Bear Mountain: The eastern approach on the Appalachian Trail, the northern approach on the Major Welch Trail, and the southern approach on the Appalachian Trail. The southern approach is the least popular but also the quietest on a summer weekend.

We parked at the top of the mountain on Perkins Drive at the tower, and climbed the tower for some views (although the windows are smudged.) We then came down the town and took the north on the handicap-friendly trail (now called the "all persons trail".) At the north-facing view of Bear Mountain, we looped around on the trail and continued on the Appalachian Trail to the south facing view over the large rock face.

We then continued on the trail descending down to the old road path, and then crossing Perkins Drive, to the final view on the southern approach, and then took the 1777 Trail after crossing Seven Lakes Drive to our second car.