Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:40 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.9 Mile

Pros: Very scenic area and good climb
Cons: Very busy area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MeKbeRJzhp8ykYnR9

I parked at the dock area at Bear Mountain down by the Hudson River, and walked up towards the zoo, past the pool, and then up to Hessian Lake. Being a Sunday, this area around Hessian was extremely busy with people making barbecues and parties. I continued past to the steps where the Appalachian Trail climbs the mountain, and went along to the first view, the waterfalls, and then to the end of Perkins Drive by the dead end. I then took a short spur to the view facing south, and then bushwhacked along the old former Appalachian Trail route that connects to the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. I noticed that the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail was also rerouted here further down the mountain and will explore this further on another trip. I then continued from here back the route I came back to my car.

Map of the Route

Bear Mountain Bridge and Bear with Antlers Statue

Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony's Nose

Hessian Lake

Hessian Lake and Bear Mountain

Hessian Lake

AT Trail Information at the Foot of Bear Mountain

First View at Bear Mountain

View of the Hudson River, Iona Island, and Peekskill

Waterfalls 

View Facing South, Facing Dunderberg, Bald, the Timp, and West Mountain

View at Dunderberg

View on the Former AT Trail

Bear Mountain Bridge and Zoo Loop

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland / Orange / Westchester Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail Bypass: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
1777W: White blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:00
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Pros: Scenic views abound
Cons: Busy road and bridge
Hike Type: Eight loop
Level of Difficulty: Very easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/5jMEVg1HfN2Eqt2H6

I had injured myself the previous day, and was unable to do a big hike this day. So I opted for a shorter and easier walk instead, which included the Bear Mountain Zoo and Bear Mountain Bridge area, which are part of the Appalachian Trail. I parked at the Bear Mountain lower area parking near the Hudson River, and took the path up to the Bear Mountain Zoo. As it was before 11:00, the zoo was closed, so I took the Appalachian Trail along the side of the pool to the Appalachian Trail Bypass Trail, which goes alongside Route 9W in the woods on the opposite side of the zoo.

I took this trail to the Appalachian Trail by the Bear Mountain Bridge, and crossed the bridge eastbound on the southern pedestrian lane. I walked across the bridge, into Westchester County, and then crossed the road and turned around. I then walked along the northern pedestrian lane of the bridge, and crossed Route 6/202 at the trail pedestrian crosswalk after the toll booth. I then took the Appalachian Trail into the Zoo, and walked through the zoom along the trail, passing the bald eagle and other birds, and then the coyotes and the bear cages. I walked back down towards the parking lot, and walked along the area on the Hudson River at the landing. The tunnel underneath the railroad tracks was entirely flooded, so I crossed the rail tracks on foot to get here. I then returned back to my car.

Map of the Route

Bear Mountain Bridge from the Overlook

Anthony's from the Overlook

Deer Statue at the Bear Mountain Bridge Overlook

Blue AT Bypass Trail

Near the end of the AT Bypass Trail

Walking Across the Bear Mountain Bridge

View of Hudson River from Bear Mountain Bridge Facing South

View of Hudson River from Bear Mountain Bridge Facing South to Peekskill

Me on the Bear Mountain Bridge

Dunderberg Mountain and Iona Island from the Bear Mountain Bridge

Bear Mountain from the Bear Mountain Bridge, Zoomed In

Bear Mountain from the Bear Mountain Bridge, Zoomed Out

Bear Mountain Bridge on the Westchester Side

Looking Across the Hudson from the Westchester Side

Popolopen Gorge Bridge and Popolopen Torne

Sugarloaf and Manitou from the Bear Mountain Bridge

Popolopen Gorge and Ft. Montgomery

View from Bear Mountain Bridge Facing North

Freight Train at the edge of the River

Flooded Bridge Under the Railroad

Bald Eagle Flying at the Hudson River Dock

Bald Eagle Flying

Bear Mountain Bridge and the Hudson River from the Dock

Me at the Bear Mountain Bridge

Hudson River and the Dock

Popolopen Torne First Day of Spring Hike

Popolopen Torne First Day of Spring Hike
Bear Mountain State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 1.0 mile

Pros: Great climb and excellent views
Cons: Busy area and parking can be a challenge
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult but short

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/GfdM4aJemx6HY5WE6

I had been to Popolopen Gorge a few weeks prior in the winter snow. Now with all the snow melted and a very warm and pleasant first day of spring, I decided to come back to this favorite hike of mine. I was short on time, and this hike is great for a short and sweet hike, with the total hike time being less than an hour. I also had lost a glove on my previous hike in the area and figured I'd come back to see if perhaps it was still there. Although it started out a bit chilly in the morning, there was no need for any jacket or coat by the time I started hiking, and I was able to hike comfortably in short sleeves.

I parked in the roadside parking lot on Mine Road, and took the Timp Torne Trail up at it's eastern side. I then cut across the unmarked connector path to the western flank of the trail, which is a better route up. I climbed up the rocky area to the summit, took some good pictures, and then continued along the north flank and started the descent. I continued along the loop which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Getchke at the Hiking Parking Area on the Timp-Torne Trail

Interesting Signage at the Beginning of the Trail

The Start of the Scramble up Popolopen

Large Rock Slab on the Scramble Up

Newly Installed Rope on the Trail Up

Dwarf Pines on the Route Up

Bear Mountain from the Popolopen Ascent

View Facing East Towards the Bear Mountain Bridge, Hudson River, and Anthony's Nose

Me at the Above View

Overlooking Fort Montgomery and the Hudson River

Zoomed into the Palisades Parkway, Hudson River, and Peekskill

Palisades Parkway, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Route 6/202 from Popolopen

Summit Rock at Popolopen

View Facing Northeast at Popolopen

Large Rock Slab at the Popolopen Summit

View from Popolopen Summit Facing Southeast

View from Popolopen Facing West

View from Popolopen Facing South

Palisades Parkway Below Popolopen Torne

View From Popolopen Summit Facing North

Ever-Growing Summit Cairn

People at the Popolopen Cairn and Summit

View from Popolopen Facing Northwest

Looking South Towards the Popolopen Summit

Me at the Popolopen Summit, Facing West

Me at the Popolopen Summit Facing Near the Hudson