Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Sunday, June 6, 2021

Bear Mountain Appalachian Trail Loop

Bear Mountain State Park,
Orange / Rockland Counties.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1777W: White blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Good climb and great views
Cons: Many people at one part of the hike
Hike Type: Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/jEKrt9G5hT5mB3yM6

It had been a while since I was at Bear Mountain. I decided to properly hike the Appalachian in its entirety from the southern approach, on the summit plateau, and the beginning of the eastern descent. The trail has been almost entirely rerouted along the length of Bear Mountain during the past several years, with the final stretch only recently completed. The route is a bit strange as the trail goes out of its way along the summit and then loops back very close to its original position on the descent. This hike entailed my first time properly hiking the trail along this route.

The weather was very hot and humid, with bright skies and and a strong sun. It reach a high in the mid-90's, making this ascent especially difficult. We parked at the trailhead parking on Seven Lakes Drive between Bear Mountain and West Mountain, and took the 1777W Trail briefly from the parking area to the Appalachian Trail. We started climbing the mountain on the Appalachian Trail, taking good pictures drinking plenty of water at the first view, which faces south looking at West Mountain.

We continued along the trail, crossing Perkins Memorial Drive, and took the trail along the old roadbed until it curves and starts climbing on the stairs along the edge of the mountain. Many good views including the famous "moonwalk", a pockmarked area of solid granite with great views to the south and southwest. We also passed many blooming mountain laurels along the way. We then proceeded towards the summit area, going along the trail as it reaches the northern-facing view. We looped around towards the summit and tower area, and then took the trail along it's newest portion from the summit to the dead-end of the extended portion of Perkins Memorial Drive.

Most of the route was very quiet, and until reaching the tower, we hardly saw anyone, despite it being a Sunday. However, the top was very busy, and the route down from the top to the dead-end was awfully busy! However, once we turned off the trail along the former road bed gradually descending the mountain, things got very quiet once again. We then went back along the part of the Appalachian Trail we were at before, and upon reaching Seven Lakes Drive, we walked along the side of the road to our car.

Map of the Route

Steps Along the Southern Flank of Bear Mountain on the AT

First View on Bear Mountain, Looking Towards West Mountain

Me on the Flight of Steps on the Upper Approach to Bear Mountain

Scenic Steps on the AT

Appalachian Trail Steps and Blooming Mountain Laurels

Great View from the AT on Bear Mountain, Looking Soutyh

Blooming Mountain Laurels

View Looking Southwest Towards Route 6

Expansive View on Bear Mountain Southern Flank

Me at the Steep Rock View

Me on the Appalachian Trail on Bear Mountain

View from the Moonwalk Area on Bear Mountain, Facing Southeast

Shimmy at the Bear Mountain Moonwalk

Pocked Rock at the Bear Mountain Moonwalk, Facing South to West Mountain

Another View from the Moonwalk, Facing Queensboro Pond and the Palisades Parkway

View from the North Flank of Bear Mountain

Me at the Bear Mountain Northern View

Pink Blooming Mountain Laurels at the North Facing View on Bear Mountain

View from Near the Summit at Bear Mountain, Near the Tower

View of the Hudson River and Peekskill Descending the Appalachian Trail

Monday, May 31, 2021

Kaaterskill Falls Upper Viewing Platform

Catskill Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Kaaterskill Falls Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 0:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.6 Miles

Pros: Waterfalls observation
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: In an out
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/iaZPR65Q3r4Q6Nxr9

I had been to Kaaterskill Falls in the winter a few years prior. It was a wet and rainy winter day, with very muddy conditions. I had taken the trail from Route 23A and when I got to the lower falls I saw the trail was extended. I climbed to the area below the second falls, and noticed that both the trail continued and there was a new viewing platform at the top. I resolved that the next time I visit, I would check this out.

After completing my hike to North-South Lake and the Escarpment earlier in the day, I decided to check out the upper platform and viewing area of the falls which I had never been to before. There was alot of rain over the Holiday weekend, so I figured the falls would be very impressive.

I parked at the upper parking area at the end of Laurel House Road, where a brand new and large parking area was recently built. It was quite busy despite the many parking spots, but I guess that should have been expected being the only non-rainy day of the Holiday weekend. I was lucky to get a spot when I came in.

I took the Kaaterskill Falls Trail down to the new bridge over Spruce Creek, and then continued along the trail to the viewing platform. This area was quite busy, along the trail and at the platform. I was still able to get in and get good pictures. I then took the service road parallel to the trail back.

Map of the Route

Information Kiok at the Beginning of the Hike

Detailed Information at the Information Kiosk

Trail Signs

Footpath Bridge Across Spruce Creek

Spruce Creek from the Bridge Before the Plunge

Trail Intersection

Upper Viewing Platform at Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls Upper Waterfall

Kaaterskill High Peak from Kaaterskill Falls Viewing Platform

Upper and Lower Falls at Kaaterskill Falls

Another View of Kaaterskill High Peak

Kaaterskill High Peak and the Spruce Creek Gorge

North-South Lake Mary's Glen Loop

Catskill Forest Preserve,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
North-South Lake Trail: Yellow blaze
Mary's Glen Trail: Red blaze
Ashley's Fall Trail: Yellow blaze
Rock Shelter Trail: Yellow blaze
Escarpment Trail: Blue blaze
Escarpment Connector Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.6 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake, scenic hike, waterfalls, and amazing views
Cons: Parking fee
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/h94Cfm584dx3fJYW9

The area of North-South Lake and the Escarpment is one of the most scenic areas in Lower New York. I used to go camping and hiking here often in my teen years, so this is a very nostalgic place for me. I hadn't been here in a very long time, and being off for Memorial Day afforded me this opportunity. I was actually planning on sleeping over in the campground on Sunday night, with a hike on Sunday afternoon and Monday morning. However, due to the lousy Memorial Day weather, the only good extended weekend day was Monday. It had rained all day Sunday with over an inch of rain, and a high temperature in the upper 40's!

I drove up Monday and parked in my designated campsite, which was right on the lake. It was still very cold and in the mid 40's when I started the hike, and I needed my light jacket and even a scarf. As the day progressed, with the sun coming out and the day warming, I was able to put these away and continue with my short sleeves.

From my campground spot, I took the North-South Lake Trail along the north side of the lake, and the cut through at Mary's Glen to the start of the Mary's Glen trail. The trail conditions were exceptionally wet which made things a bit challenging. The flipside of this was that when I reached Ashley Falls on the trail, the falls were roaring and very impressive.

I continued along the Mary's Glen Trail to the Rock Shelter Trail, which I took to the Badman's Cave at the end of the trail. The Badman's cave is a large natural rock overhang of Catskill rock on the side of a cliff. I then took the Escarpment Trail along the side of the ridge, and then approach Newman's Ledge, with an amazing view of the Hudson Valley from high up on the cliff. I continued along the Escarpment Trail, bypassing Looking Rock and Sunset Rock but getting the cliff overhangs from below, and then getting an another amazing view at Artist Rock. After the Artist's Rock view I continued along the Escarpment Trail to the Escarpment Connector Trail which took me back to the campground. I walked from here to my car. I then proceeded to my next hike at Kaaterskill Falls (See next post.)