Dunderberg Mountain Loop

Bear Mountain Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb, excellent views
Cons: Proximity to Indian Point

Hiking Partner:
Menachem Touretski

This is a great loop hike. Its been some time since I had been to this area, and this hike makes for a great loop that is highly recommended and someone remote without the large crowds. We parked at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail trailhead parking on Route 9W, but the road bend, and climbed up the steep ascent of the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, passing the abandoned Dunderberg Spiral Railway several times and the tunnel near the beginning. We went around the bend and the first loop, as well as the eastern summit view of the mountain which has great views of the Bear Mountain Bridge. We then heading down through the notch on the mountain, and took the unmarked Bockberg Trail southwest, and then bushwacking to the Timp-Torne Trail at the view facing south. We then descended slowly and passed the unfinished tunnel, and then headed down along the trail to its end at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, and then continued back down the mountain to the trailhead.

Harriman/Bear Mountain Map

The first Dunderberg Spiral Railway Tunnel

Hudson River and Indian Point from Dunderberg

Indian Point Across the River

Me at the Above View

Hudson River at Peekskill

City of Peekskill Across the River

Menachem Touretski

Hudson River

Iona Island

Bear Mountain Bridge, Facing North

Me at the View

Menachem Touretski

View of West Mountain

Small Pond Near the Summit

View from the Timp Torne Trail

Hudson River and Peekskill from the Timp Torne Trail

Hudson River Facing South

Hudson River Towards Haverstraw Bay

Me at the Timp Torne View

Menachem at the Incompleted Railway Tunnel 

Looking Inside the Tunnel

Dunderberg Via Cornell Mountain

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cornell Mine Trail: Blue blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Great view atop Dunderberg
Pros: Excellent view, good climb, and overall scenic area
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Zev Feder

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

Dunderberg Mountain is one of the most prominent mountains in the Highlands Region. It juts out into the Hudson River with very steep sides all around. This hike featured climbing up Dunderberg from the northern approach of the mountain on the Cornell Mine Trail. The first part of this hike is moderate and very scenic, passing some small waterfalls on the side of the cascading brook. It then hits a very steep point where it climbs to the top of the mountain. Near the top the trail ends at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail.

We took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail east for about 600 feet, where there is really nice view. The view faces north with the entire Bear Mountain in view, part of West Mountain, and Anthony's Nose across the river. We then continued on the Ramapo-Dunderberg a little bit more until we realized we were out of time and had to turn back. We returned along the same route.

Map of the Route

Zev walking along the R-D Trail near the summit

 

View from the Summit of Dunderberg. Facing northwest.

Another view from the summit facing north.
Looking towards the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River.
Note the vulture soaring above.

Zev at the summit, with Bear Mountain behind him

Me at the summit, with Bear Mountain behind me

A very large black rat snake slithering across the R-D Trail

Waterfall along the side of the Cornell Mine Trail

Iona Island

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Total Time: 1:30 hr
Estimated Distance: 3.4 miles

Iona Island is a marshly island in the Hudson River directly north of Dunderberg Mountain and south of Bear Mountain. It is surrounded by magnificent mountains and river views, and is a well-known bird sanctuary and is a very famous spot for bird-watchers who come especially to view the Bald Eagles. Besides for the marshy areas there are some rocky promenades rising high up above the water.

I parked on Route 9w right before Iona Island Road, and walked along Iona Island Road through the marshy area to the rocky area. There had been a lot of rain and the weather continued being wet and stormy, and the road was very flooded. I climbed up the rocky part, where there are some beautiful cactus groves growing, and continued along this ridge all the way towards the end of the island at the railroad. I walked along the railroad cut both ways exploring the interesting geology, and then continued south along the side of the tracks until about halfway across the causeway along towards Dunderberg Mountain. I wanted to explore the rest of the island, but the portion of the island of the other side of the railroad is off-limits. I then turned around, tried viewing some of the bird spots, and then headed back along Iona Island Rd. and back to the car.

Map of the Route

Iona Island from the Route 9w Parking Area.

Sign at Entrance to Iona Island

Marsh on Iona Island. Facing south with
Dunderberg Mountain in the fog.

Another view facing south with Dunderberg

Cactus on Rocky Promenade on Iona Island

View of Iona Island Road flooded.

Railroad Tracks Facing North
Towards the Bear Mountain Bridge.

The railroad cut from Above.

View from Iona Island main viewing area.
Facing west.

Informative about Sterling Forest