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

Fort Montgomery to Bear Mountain 3 Bridge Hike

Harriman State Park,
Orange and Rockland Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Twin Forts Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic area with nice bridges
Cons: Parking area and Bear Mountain Park close early, walking on side of road

This hike involved three bridges. It took place on a  Friday afternoon on a beautiful spring day, and I had taken my children to walk in this very scenic area. We parked at the Fort Montgomery visitors center, and took the Fort Montgomery Trail across the Popolopen Brook on the pedestrian suspension bridge. We continued on the train, going under the Bear Mountain Bridge, to the Bear Mountain zoo. However, the gate to the zoo was locked - it closes at 4:00 and it was already after 4:00. I was disappointed how early it closed, but we turned around and took the bypass trail up to Route 6/202 at the bridge level. We walked along the sidewalk, past the traffic circle, and then alongside Route 9W. We went over the high bridge above Popolopen Creek, and then back to Fort Montgomery and the car. We got back the parking lot a little bit after 5:00, and I realized that this parking area closes at 5:00. Thankfully they did not lock my car in the parking lot.

Bear Mountain Zoo to Ft. Montgomery

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland and Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1777 Trail: Red Blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Twin Forts Trail: Blue blaze
Twin Forts Connector Trail: Red blaze
AT Connector Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Bear Mountain Zoo, Bridges, Ft. Montgomery Historical Site
Pros: Interesting sights, good views, nice bridge views
Cons: Many parts are built up and paved and more of a walk than a hike

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

I was out of town for several days of the previous week, and therefore did not have an oppurtunity to go on any hike over the weekend. I had returned to see many of the trees changing color and the foliage really coming out. It suprised me how early this year the trees have changed. It is likely due to both the relatively cool August temperatures and little rain over the summer.

I had taken the oppurtunity to go on this shorter, easier hike due to the fact that it was a weekday and I was by myself. This is not a traditional hike in the woods, rather much of the area is paved and through points of interest. Though there are some fascinating river and bridge views, with three bridges encountered along the route.

I parked at the Hudson River landing picnic area in Bear Mountain, and took the path up the hill towards the zoo. The zoo entrance is where the Appalachian Trail meets up, and this hiking trail actually goes right through the zoo. I walked through the zoo, taking the spur to the river view and then back by the bear den. Walking towards the bridge, I then veered towards the other view right by the bridge, where the Twin Forts Trail begins.

The Twin Forts Trail connects the historic revolutionary forts of Fort Clinton, (which is now at the site of the Bear Mountain Zoo and bridge) and Fort Montgomery, which is on the other side of the Popolopen Brook. This trail goes under the Bear Mountain Bridge, down to the bottom of the Popolopen Valley, across a foothpath suspension bridge over the outlet of Popolopen Brook, and then up the hill to Fort Montgomery.

At Fort Montgomery, I ventured around the grounds and looked at some of the sites. I also went into the relatively new visitor's center and looked around. I then headed back along the Twin Forts Trail, and then took the Twin Forts Connector Trail to the street level above the bridge. I crossed the busy road, and then took the AT Connector Trail which bypasses the zoo. I then took this trail to its end, and then took the path back down to my car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails Northern Map.

Pretty Foliage Along the Hudson River Connector Path

Anthony's Nose from View Along the Hudson River Connector Path

Bears in Bear Den in the Zoo, on the Appalachian Trail

Viewpoint in the Zoo Overlooking Anthony's Nose
and the Bear Mountain Bridge

At the Same Viewpoint, Facing South Towards Peekskill

Nice View of the Bear Mountain Bridge in Fall Foliage

Beautiful Colors and Bridge Silhouette at the
Entrance to the Twin Forts Trail

Beautiful Red Maple in Full Autumn Colors

View Directly Under the Bear Mountain Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail

New Plaque Dedicated to the Popolopen Creek Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail
(The William J. Moreau Popolopen Bridge)

Crossing the William J. Moreau Popolopen Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail

Route 9W Bridge Crossing of the Popolopen Creek

Pretty Colors on the Opposite Side of the Popolopen Creek

Fort Montogmery Archeological Site

View Inside Fort Montgomery Facing Bear Mountain

View of the Outlet of Popolopen Creek with the Bear Mountain
Bridge and Anthony's Nose

Anthony's Nose from the Popolopen Creek Outlet