Black Ash Mine and Swamp to Claudius Smith Den

Harriman State Park,
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
White Cross Trail: White blaze
Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.33 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult, especially in the snow and mud
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good views, old mine, waterfall in wet season, very tranquil

Google Map of Parking:

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Much of the snow on the ground had already melted, and it was a relatively warm day for winter. Some parts of this hike had no snow at all, while some parts in the valleys still had full snow. The conditions for hiking were not good at all. There was a thick fog the entire time, and it was very muddy and wet. I had not brought my ski pants, and ended up coming home muddy and wet.

I parked at the parking area right under the Thruway in Tuxedo, near the Ramapo-Dunderberg trailhead. I went up the Ramapo-Dunderberg, and was surprised how poor the visibility was when the view was entirely obscured by the fog. I continued along past the Black Ash Mine, observing both the upper and lower pits and dumps. From there I continued to the outlet of the Black Ash Swamp, which is very interesting. There is a natural rock dam formation which drains the swamp in a most fascinating way, with a small hidden waterfall inside the rock. About 100 feet downstream from the outlet are also a series of beautiful waterfall cascades in the wet season. Being that everything was wet from all the melting snow, this afforded great waterfall viewing.

From the swamp outlet I took the Victory Trail, which is a wide and muddy trail which is mostly uninteresting, and the tire marks throughout took away from its serenity. All along this trail there are downed tress from Hurricane Sandy. I then took the White Cross trail south back towards the Claudius Smith Den. This trail is very remote and serene, and even a bit overgrown. It is rare to meet anyone else on this trail. From the Claudius Smith Den I took the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail back towards Tuxedo, and then back to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Dense Fog. At the beginning of the Hike right before the
Trail goes off the  road into the Mountain.

The View of Tuxedo.
Nothing to see Today.

The smaller pit of the Black Ash Mine

Larger Pit of the Black Ash Mine

Waterfalls near the outlet of the Black Ash Swamp.

A fuller view of the Waterfall Cascades

Another Waterfall about 30 feet Above the First One

Outlet of the Black Ash Swamp

Extensive Fallen Trees From Hurricane Sandy
Along the Victory Trail

Rhododendrons in the Snow and Fog on the
White Cross Trail

Rock Formation in the Claudius Smith Den

Tom Jones Mountain Foliage

Harriman State Park
Orange County, New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for short but good climb
Points Of Interest: Good climb, excellent view

Google Map of Parking:

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This was the last good week of fall foliage. Although this Sunday was past peak, there were still some nice colors, although much of the remaining leaves on the trees were brown. This storm was the day before Hurricane Sandy struck and devastated the area. The storm warnings were all in effect, but the rain and wind was not supposed to be pick up until Monday, so I was safe doing this hike. However, I had to take care of storm preparations such as stock up and items and move all my outdoor furniture, so I needed to do a hike that was shorted than usual.

I parked the car on Lake Kanawauke Road (Orange County Route 106), right after the Little Long Pond. There is a small parking area here that often fills up on weekends. The parking area is a mountain notch in-between Tom Jones Mountain and Black Rock Mountain. I took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail south from the trailhead up Tom Jones Mountain. This part of the hike is a good and rocky climb up the mountain, but it is only for about 400 feet up. At the top there are some great views, and the mountain seems to stand out. I then continued along the trail, climbing down into the valley, and took the Victory Trail north back to the road. I then walked along the side of the road as it passed along the marsh back to my car.

Map of the Route

Late Autumn Brush Foliage Ascending Tom Jones Mountain

Beautiful, bright red blueberry foliage on the top of Tom Jones.

Another view, with Black Rock Mountain behind over the notch.
Facing North.

View at the top of Tom Jones Mnt.
Facing northeast.

Another view from the top, facing southeast.
Lake Kanawauke in the distance.

View from the top facing east.
Jackie Jones Tower is in the distance.

View off the summit facing north.
In the distance the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains are clearly visible.
They are in the distance, though hard to capture on camera.

Near the Descent of Tom Jones on its southern flank.

View south of Parker Cabin Mountain on the descent of Tom Jones.

Bald Mountain and Doodletown Foliage

Bear Mountain / Harriman State Parks
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cornell Mine: Blue blaze
Ramapo Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
1777 Trail: Red blaze
1777E Trail: Red blaze

Hiking Partner:
Debbie Koegel

Total Time: 2:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 5.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficults
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Very good climb with amazing views, historical ghost town

Google Maps of Parking:

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Bald Mountain is really the western peak of Dunderberg Mountain. It has sweeping views north and east, and requires a scenic and challenging hike to get to it. we parked at the Cornell Mountain Trailhead on Route 9W, right near the road to Iona Island. The first part of the trail starts by a small cascading waterfall, and this part of the hike is very scenic. After a few minutes, to the right, is another very scenic waterfall. The trail continues on a relatively mild ascent until it hits the foot of the mountain, where it then zigzags steeply up. Near the top is the intersection with the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, which we took west towards the view. There are some small mining pits in this area, remnants of the larger Cornell Mine which is a several hundred feet below the view.

At the view, one can see points north from the Hudson at the Bear Mountain Bridge, Anthony's Nose, Bear Mountain, West Mountain the west, and The Timp to the south/southwest. From the view we continued along the trail, slightly descending until the 1777 Trail. The 1777 is a wide trail that follows the path of an old woods road. As it continues descending, it eventually enters Doodletown, which is an old ghost town that the state purchased in the 1960's and forced everyone to evacuate. Markers label the historic sites in the old ghost town, and its an interesting walk. Continued at the split on the 1777E Trail (the 1777 trail splits into the 1777E and 1777W Trails), and eventually back down to Route 9W at the trailhead.

Map of the Route

Cascade at the very beginning of the hike.

Waterfall known as the "Ten Footer"

View Atop Bald Mountain, facing north
towards the Bear Mnt Bridge spanning the Hudson River.

Beautiful Fall Foliage surrounding and atop Bear Mountain. Facing North.

Facing west towards West Mountain from the Bald Mnt View.

Me at the view.

More Foliage

Fall Foliage. Facing east/northeast.

Timp Brook

Bright Foliage Colors

 

Beautifully colored tree in Doodletown

View of Bald Mountain from below in Doodletown

Debbie Reading the Doodletown Legend

Doodletown Legend

Tree at the Reservoir in Doodletown

End of the Trail at Iona Island and its swampgrass