Tallman Mountain South Loop

Tallman Mountain State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Long Path: Green blaze
Cliff Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.5 Miles

Pros: Scenic views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YibPK9hoSW6HZzAy9

I haven't been to the South part of Tallman Mountain in some time. It was rainy and there was rain in the forecast, so I knew what I was in for. I parked in the large parking area near the park entrance, and took the Yellow Trail to the Long Path. I took the Long Path south along the edge, and then when the Long Path split, I continued along the unmarked trail that goes along the trail. 

There is one good view on this trail, and after the view took the trail back to the Long Path. It started raining steady at this point so I went quicker to get back. I took another unmarked trail which I took back to the Yellow Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Orange Trail

Long Path

First View

Main View, Near the South end of the Park

View of the Tappan Zee Bridge

Small Pond in the South End of the Park

Ruins at the South End

Long Path

Long Path Boardwalk Over Marshy Area

Pond

North Hook Mountain Ridge

Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.3 Miles

Pros: Good climb and great river views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fZCjmaoNXZhwxty58

This is a great loop hike that is short and sweet. I parked at the end of the road at Rockland Lake landing, and took the Long Path up the mountain towards the south. Near the top there is an unmarked spur trail that goes along the top of the cliff area with amazing views of the Hudson River along the ridge. I continued along this trail back to the Long Path, and then took the Long Path back down. I then took a short unmarked Spur to the road and then walked along the road back to my car.

Map of the Route

Plaque about the Knickerbocker Ice Company on the Former Site

Ruins from the Knickerbocker Ice Company

Ascending the Long Path

View of the Hudson River and Ossining

View Facing West

View Across the River

Tappan Zee Bridge

Steep Cliffs

Boys Scout Equipment Along the Trail

More Ruins

Sugarloaf Hill Spring Hike

Hudson Highlands State Park
Putnam Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Sugarloaf Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.9 Miles

Pros: Scenic area with good view, nice climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/PtrGZwiR3vY1kKNY9

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

It had been a while since I had been at Sugarloaf and the Hudson Highlands in general, so figured this was a good opportunity for a nice spring day. We parked at the Sugarloaf Trailhead and took the the trail up the mountain. The trail is a dead end and ends at the view facing Bear Mountain Bridge with a large beavertail cactus grove. At the top at the end of the trail we turned around and went back down the same route that we came up.

Map of the Route

Sugarload Trail Trailhead

Castle Rock

View on the Ascent

Sugarloaf Trail

View of West Point

Small Marsh While Ascending

View of the Hudson River and Bear Mountain Bridge from Sugarloaf

Cactus Grove on Sugarloaf

Sugarloaf Mountain View

View of West Point on the Descent