Brooks Lake and Popolopen Landing at Fort Montgomery

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Brooks Lake Trail: Red blaze
1777 / 1779 Trail: White blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Twin Forts Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.6 Mile

Pros: Scenic lake, scenic bridges
Cons: Views of houses
Hike Type: Reverse lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy (Difficult in snow)

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/srSReXqkgThda1o4A

The weather was bitter cold with a fresh layer of snow on the ground and strong winds. I debated on hiking based on the poor weather conditions, but the strong sun enticed me and I bundled up and did a hike I could bail out of easily in case it was too cold. In the end it was fine and all my layers kept me warm, so I did the longer route.

I parked at Brooks Lake park in Fort Montgomery, and took the Brooks Lake Loop Trail to the north around the lake. There were some signs about storm damage on the trail, but it looks like all was cleaned up and the trail was fully passable. At the inlet of Brooks Lake I took the combined 1777 / 1779 and Timp-Torne Trails underneath Route 9W at the Popolopen Bridge, and then to Fort Montgomery Historic site at the visitor center (which was closed for the season.)

I then took the Twin Forts Trail down to the foot suspension bridge crossing Popolopen for some amazing views of the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge, and then turned around and went back up the Twin Forts Trail and back to the combined 1777 / 1779 and Timp-Torne Trails. I crossed over Mine Road and took the eastern part of the Brooks Lake Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Frozen Brooks Lake

Sign about Storm Damage

Bear Mountain from Brooks Lake

View from the West Side of Brooks Lake

Bridge at the Inlet of Brooks Lake

Trail Intersection

Route 9W Popolopen Bridge

View of Bear Mountain Bridge

1777 & 1779 Trails Historical Plaque

Fort Montgomery Visitor Center

Anthony's Nose and Bear Mountain Bridge

Suspension Bridge

Ducks and Swans at Frozen Popolopen

Popolopen Bridge

Pedestrian Suspension Bridge

Bear Mountain Bridge

Popolopen Bridge

Back at Brooks Lake

Brooks Lake Loop

Bear Mountain State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trail:
Brooks Lake Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake
Cons: None

Brooks Lake is a very scenic lake on the northern fringes of Bear Mountain State Park. Visible from the top of Bear Mountain, at the northern view, Brooks Lake has a loop trail around it.

The weather had been interesting, with the day starting off with snow and then turning into a cold rain. The snow had not melted from the rain, and it has just slowed down by the time I started this hike. Because of the poor weather conditions, I chose to do a short and easy hike, and dressed for the occasion. It was drizzling and very foggy with poor visibility during the hike.

I parked at the Brooks Lake parking area, and took the trail south, to the outlet, where I crossed the bridge and intersected the other park trails. I then walked along the the west side and then the north side of the lake, and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Brooks Lake at the Beginning of the Hike

Looking South from the Beginning of the Hike

Information Map at the Beginning of the Brooks Lake Trail

Snowy Lake Scene

Evergreens and Snow Contrast

Looking North from the Woods at Brooks Lake

Abandoned Structure near the Brooks Lake Outlet

My Most Monotone Picture Ever Taken

Trail Markers at the Outlet Bridge at Brooks Lake

Snowy Ice-Covered Brooks Lake from the Outlet

Another View of the Outlet

Brooks Lake from the Western Side

Brooks Lake and Anthony's Nose in the Distance

From the North Side of Brooks Lake, Facing South Towards Bear Mountain

Brooks Lake Outlet and Bear Mountain in the Distance

Bear Mountain from Brooks Lake