Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Waterfall

Tuesday, February 21, 2023

Banias Waterfall and Hanging Trail

Hermon Stream (Banias) Nature Reserve Nature Reserve
Golan Heights
Israel

Hiking Trails:
Banias Waterfall Trail
Hanging Trail

Total Time: 0:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Strong and Scenic Waterfall
Cons: Parking Fee, Busy Area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/XejDuXQLhParVWgZ6

On my trip to Northern Israel, we stayed at She'ar Yashuv and went nearby to the Banias Waterfall. We parked in the parking lot and took the trail down into the gorge and then headed to the falls. We then took the bridge across the brook to the eastern view above the falls, and then turned around and took the same return bridge. We then continued along the loop, and took the Hanging Trail through the gorge, and then up and out and back to the parking area.

Satellite View of the Route

View from the Beginning of the Hike

Descending to the Stream

Banias Waterfall

Lush Greenery in the Valley

Steps up to the View

View of the Waterfalls from Above

Narrow Gorge from the Hanging Trail

View from Above the Gorge

Rock Hyrax

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Schunnemunk Mountain High Knob Loop

Schunnemunk Mountain State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Jessup Trail: Yellow blaze
Earl Reservoir Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 4:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 6.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb and excellent views
Cons: Road walking on return

Level of Difficulty: Very difficult

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy & Morty Rosenberg

This was a hot early summer day in the beginning of July. I had not been to this part of the mountain in almost ten years, and I remembered it being a good hike with fantastic views.

We parked on the side of Route 32 by Evans Drive, walked up Route 32 slightly past the railroad bridge, and then took the Long Path towards the mountain. The trail goes along the side of the railroad track here for a bit of time, and then veers away and gradually climbs.

The trail skirts around Little Know, and we didn't veer off to it, as I remembered the High Knob view being more impressive. The trail climbs very steeply at this point, and there is an excellent view facing south here at High Knob. Continuing a bit further along the trail is the High Knob Summit, with excellent views north, east, and south.

We then continued along the Long Path due west, down the valley and back up the next ridge, until we met the Jessup Trail. There is a large exposed rock face at this point, with short pitch pines, as is characteristic of the summit area of this mountain. Also present is a great view facing west. We then went south on the Jessup Trail along the southern ridge, and then took the unmarked trail that goes alongside the brook that feeds into the Earl Reservoir.

This is a very steep trail down, and is hard to follow. Towards the top its a bit overgrown, though here are some crude unofficial blazes present along the way. We heard gunshots nearby as we were getting down, and we then saw signs about an active gun range in the vicinity.

We continued until we reached Woodbury Park, a local town park, where this trail ends near the Earl Reservoir. We then cut across to Brigadoon Blvd, a street of new homes. We walked for a while on this street and in this neighborhood (and unfortunately without much shade present) until we reached route 32, which we took to Evans Rd. and back to our car.