Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Appalachian Trail

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

RBBN Hike Bear Mountain Summit

Bear Mountain Park
Orange Co, NY &
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Appalachian Trail Spur: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.5 Miles

Pros: Great views and scenic area
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZjRJTi6oJzfPcM4U9

Hiking Partners:
RBBN Hiking Partners

I took a group of people that were part of a networking group on a business networking hike on top of Bear Mountain in the evening. The group was part of the RBBN Networking group. The weather was perfect, at about 70 degrees and low humidity.

We parked at the top of Perkins Drive, by the tower, and took the Appalachian Trail Spur to the Appalachian Trail down to the view from the southern part of Bear Mountain. We then went along the southern ridge side and descending on the steps to old road, which we took back to the other side of the Appalachian Trail. We then took the trail back up the mountain to the tower.

Map of the Route

Group at the Beginning of the Hike on Top of Bear Mountain

Sunday, August 17, 2025

Island Pond, Lemon Squeezer, AT, & Long Path

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Crooked Road Path: Unblazed
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 2:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake, rock formations, good view, and quiet area
Cons: Crooked Road Path overgrown
Hike Type: 2 car point to point
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
Car 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TqJ4eS9tjwm5qEV58
Car 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/asNNz2gSPdHMmhz38

Hiking Partners:
Jacob Baldinger

We parked on Island Pond Road at the Crooked Road Path. We took the Crooked Road path to the Appalachian Trail. This trail was very overgrown and not properly maintained. Upon reaching the Appalachian Trail we went down to the Island Pond, and then turned back to the Appalachian Trail and headed to the Lemon Squeezer, a rock formation with covered rock and narrow pathway through the rocks.

After the Lemon Squeezer, we climbed up Island Pond Mountain and took a short bushwhack to the view above the lake, and then continued down the mountain to intersection of the Long Path and Appalachian Trail, the two most famous hiking trails in New York. We then took the Long Path to the unmaintained shelter, then past Surebridge Swamp, and then to Arden Valley Road where the other car was located.