Sunday, June 16, 2024

West Mountain Ridge

Harriman / Bear Mountain State Parks
Rockland & Orange Counties,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Bike Path: Unblazed
Temporary AT Reroute: Orange blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Fawn Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.4 miles

Pros: Great views, good climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Two car
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
Car 1: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1sZML6YfTqFBkBxu8
Car 2: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7Td2G3XwrsC1SQLP6

Hiking Partner:
Jeff Neeman

I was at West Mountain a few weeks prior and noticed the trail rerouting of the Appalachian Trail where it bypassed the Palisades Parkway crossing. I decided to check out the rest of the reroute while enjoying West Mountain, one of my favorites in the region. We parked at the lower parking lot of Anthony Wayne, and took the Bike Path to the temporary reroute of the Appalachian Trail. This was the original path of the Appalachian Trail but was rerouted due to the crossing of the Palisades. Instead, the trail was blazed orange, and headed up the ridge. At the first lookout, we joined with the Appalachian Trail, which we took along the ridge to the Timp Torne Trail. We then took this trail down the mountain to the Fawn Trail and then the Anthony Wayne Trail to the trailhead where we had parked the second car at the upper lot at Anthony Wayne.

Map of the Route

Start of the Rerouted Appalachian Trail Stub

First View, Overlooking Bear Mountain

With Jeff Neeman

View of the Anthony Wayne Parking Area

West Mountain View






Map of the Reroute

Crevice Through the Rock

More Views on West Mountain


Jeff Neeman

















Sunday, June 9, 2024

Tamarack Loop and Todd Hill Loop

Ramapo Mountain State Forest
Bergen Co.
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Tamarack Loop Trail: Purple blaze
Todd Loop Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic lakes and quiet area
Cons: Very limited parking, View isn't great
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Moderate 

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mcHShpsgrpPbr4PQ7

It had rained in the morning and was still a bit wet, which allowed me to get parking in the upper parking on Skyline Drive. The parking was recently limited in the area to several designated spots, resulting in many people coming to this hike and not finding parking. I would really like to see the parks system add more parking to the area! 

Most people who park here go to Castle Rock and Ramapo Lake. I decided to go east and take the newly restructured the Tamarack Loop Trail which goes alongside Lake Tamarack, and then continued to Todd Lake. I then took the Todd Hill Loop Trail to the view overlooking Oakland, and then took the Tamarack Loop Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

No Parking Signs All Over the Place Limiting People from Enjoying the Area

Trail Map Kiosk

Flowering Mountain Laurels



Tamarack Lake






Glacial Erratic Rock at Tamarack Lake

Tamarack Lake

Chimney Ruins on the Trail


Todd Lake


Flowering Lily Pads

Todd Loop Trail

Todd Loop View





Whitetail Deer Licking its Nose