Black Rock And Black Rock Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.8 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Black Rock View and Region
Pros: Good climb, excellent view, beautiful area, rocky outcrops
Cons: Parking can be difficult on weekends

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This is a great hike when short on time. White Rock Mountain is very scenic with stunning views and scenery. We parked in the parking area on Lake Kanawauke Road (County 106) by the Ramapo Dunderberg trailhead, and climbed up White Rock Mountain to the view. We continued along the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail to White Rock, a large rock in an open area, and then descended slightly into the valley and back to the treeline. We turned around at this point off the trail and bushwacked slightly around on the rocky treeless area back to the White Rock Mountain view. We then descended from here back down the same way.

Please note my camera is out of commission; these pictures were taken with my cell phone.

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

Me at the Viewpoint at Black Rock Mountain

Me at the Viewpoint at Black Rock Mountain

Black Rock Mountain View

Black Rock Mountain View

Shimmy and Myself at the Black Rock Mountain View

Beautiful Scenery Atop Black Rock Mountain.
Black Rock is Ahead to the Right.

Me Atop Black Rock

View from Black Rock

View from Black Rock

View From Black Rock

Ascending the Mountain at the Bushwack Portion

Selfie at a New Sign Posted Near the Trailhead

Blueberry Picking In Pine Meadow Brook Area

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Yellow blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Hillburn-Torne Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
7 Hills Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic brook, good view
Pros: Enjoyable popular hike in Harriman, good blueberries near top of mountain
Cons: Area is busy on weekends

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

We parked in the Reeves Meadow area, and headed up the Pine Meadow Trail, to the Stony Brook Trail, to the Kakiat trail, to the Cascade of Slid waterfall. The Cascade of Slid was starting to dry up due to the lack or rain. We continued to HTS Trail, where we crossed the brook where the bridge was out. We then took the HTS Trail up to Chimpmunk Mountain, where there is a really good blueberry tree near the top. At the expansive view on the top we turned around and took the 7 Hills Trail down back toward the brook, and then took the Pine Meadow Trail all the way back to the trailhead.

Map of the Route

Shimmy Crossing the Brook Where the HTS Bridge is Out

HTS Trail Crossing the Pine Meadow Brook

Shimmy Ascending in a Grove of Ferns

Our Rich Blueberry Bush

Ascending to the Top of the Mountain

Scenery at the Top of the Mountain

View from the Top, Facing North

Long Path: Blackcap Mountain to Brooks Mountain and Hollow

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 3:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.8 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Slightly recommended
Points of Interest: Brooks Mountain, Lake Massawippa
Pros: Quiet area, View of Lake
Cons: Road Walking, Beginning part of Long Path boring, bushwack at end overgrown

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This hike is on the northernmost fringes of the park, and one of the quietest areas. We parked in the parking area off Route 6, right before Route 293. This is the official fishing parking area for Barnes Lake and Lake Massawippa. We took Route 6 west towards the Long Path, where it meets route 6 at the intersection of Op Charlie Road, which is part of the property of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

We took the Long Path heading east, and for this part of the hike it follows parallel to Route 6 coming the same direction. It also straddles the side of a long fence which eventually ends. We continued along the trail as it turns north on to the side of Blackcap Mountain. At this point of the hike we got stuck in a thunderstorm. We had heard the thunder in the distance, and we realized we would be stuck in the storm. We hunkered down under a large rock with a slight overhang. Though we did get wet, this prevented us from getting totally soaked. It rained very hard for about 10 minutes.

Once the storm passed on, we continued on the Long Path, went down the mountain and crossed over Route 293, and climbed up to Brooks Mountain. The Long Path goes along the narrow ridge and then climbs down north of the Lake Massawippa. At this point we bushwacked along the side of the brook to the dam at Lake Massawippa. We then took the unmarked trail along the western side of the lake back to Route 6. This trail has become overgrown since the last time I was here, with many downed trees presumably from Hurricane Sandy. We then hiked the short distance along Route 6 back to the car.

Map of the Route

Posted Signs To Stay off West Point Military Academy

Hunkering Down During Thunderstorm

Crossing Over the Power Lines

Rock Scramble on Blackcap Mountain

View Atop Blackcap Mountain

View Atop Blackcap Mountain

Long Path on the Brooks Mountain Ridge

View Atop Brooks Mountain

Me Atop Brooks Mountain

Lake Massawippa from the Dam

Sapphire Trail, Harriman State Park

Sapphire Trail
Harriman State Park /
Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Sapphire Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.6 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not recommended
Points of Interest: Rock Formation on top
Pros: Remote part of the park off the beaten path
Cons: No views or interesting sites to see, far out from other Harriman trails

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my first hike since surgery. I have been doing light biking over the last few weeks, but after several weeks of physical therapy was finally ready for a hike. This trail ended up being longer than I expected, but the gradual climb up and down was very doable.

The Sapphire Trail is probably the most isolated trail in Harriman, in the northwestern corner of Harriman State Park near Monroe and Sterling Forest. Its also a very quiet trail with very little traffic. A small part of the trail goes into Sterling Forest State Park.

We parked in the Park and Ride parking lot on Route 17, south of Monroe, which acts as overflow parking for Woodbury Commons on weekends. Parking for hikers is only available at this lot on weekends and Holidays. We took the Sapphire Trail up the gradual climb until its intersection with the Appalachian Trail at the top. At the top we took a break at the interesting rock formation, and then returned down the same route.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park Northern Map

Beginning of the Sapphire Trail

Me Walking Through a Fern Forest

Interesting Rock Formation Where the Sapphire Trail
Meets the Appalachian Trail

Me in the Above Rock Formation

Me at the end of the Sapphire Trail

Rockland Lake Biking

Rockland Lake State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Total Time: 0:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.2 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for an easy scenic bike ride
Points of Interest: Pretty Lake
Pros: Scenic and enjoyable bike path
Cons: Lots of people, cost money to park

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my first outdoor excursion since my surgery, and while hiking was still off-limits, simple biking was permitted since its not weight-bearing. So I took out my bike, brushed off the test, inflated the tires, and adjusted the brakes for some biking. I figured Rockland Lake is short enough as well as totally flat to try my first real outdoor activity.

The path surrounds Rockland Lake, and the loop is about 3 miles. Except for part of the northern part of the trail, the entire rest of the trail follows the shoreline of the lake.

Pictures were taken with my cell phone camera.

Map of the Route

1779 Trailhead to Burnt House

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1779 Trail: White blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red low blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.7 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not recommended
Points of Interest: Burnt House, Swamp
Pros: Very quiet and remote area of park
Cons: No views or interesting sites to see, parking far from trailhead

Hiking Partner:
Dr. Morris Schulgasser

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my most challenging hike yet since my injury. It was a little shy of five miles with about a 500 foot elevation gain. Although the climb was good, it was gradual and manageable on a wide trail, which worked to my advantage using my dual sticks. The way up was actually fine; it was down that was a bit challenging for me.

We parked in the parking area off Mott Farm Road by the brook, and walked up the hill on Queensboro Road, which is a dead end and ends by the trailhead. (The park system should really have a small parking lot here at the trailhead instead of requiring you to walk the length of the road.) We took the 1779 Trail from its terminus to the intersection of the Red Cross Trail, and then took the Red Cross Trail across the Palisades Parkway down to the swamp by the Stillwater Brook. We continued to the Burnt House site where took a break and turned around. The Burnt House is no longer there, and there is just a hole with rocks where the site once stood.

Map of the Route
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails Northern Map

Nice Rock Formation on the 1779 Trail

Me at the 3-Trail Conflunce
(Suffern-Bear Mnt, 1779, and Rec Cross

Tree with all 3 Trail Markes

Red Cross Trail Crossing Over the Palisades Pkwy

Swamp Feeding Stillwater Brook

The Foundation of the Burnt House

Large Toad on the Trail on the Way Back