Pine Swamp Mountain to Surebridge Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Ramapo Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Bottle Cap Trail: Blazed with bottle caps
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 3:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.8 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Varied scenery, Pine Swamp Mnt View, Old Mines
Pros: Very scenic area, good views, historic mines
Cons: None

Google Map of Parking:

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This was a fall foliage hike on a beautiful autumn day. I was off from work and took advantage with a big hike, covering some remote parts of Harriman. I parked at the Lake Skanatati Parking area off of Seven Lakes Drive, and took the Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Trail up the mountain. This area is currently being refurbished and there is trail work with steps on the lower part near the lake. A short but good climb up leads to a popular viewpoint overlooking Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanawauke, where I snapped some nice colorful photos.

I continued on the A-SB Trail past the Pine Swamp Mine, and then continued past the Dunning Trail terminus. At "Times Square", a trail intersection with many different spurs, I took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail north, ascending one of the highest points in Harriman, and then down to the Bottle Cap Trail.

The Bottle Cap Trail is an official unofficial Trail. It is marked by bottle caps nailed into trees inside of the typical blazes. I don't believe that is maintained by the regular trail volunteers, but it is still officially sanctioned being on the maps and not being removed by rangers or volunteers. I took the Bottle Cap Trail west past the Surebridge Mine and then to its end at the A-SB Trail. I took the A-SB Trail up, and the trail gets very interesting here with sparse tree cover and dense brush. I took this trail back to Times Square, and then took the Long Path the Hogencamp Mine, and continued along the Long Path back towards Lake Skanatati and the parking area.

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

Lake Skanatati at the Parking Area

New Steps at the A-SB Trail Beginning

View of Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanawauke
from the Pine Swamp Mountain View

Another Perspective from the Above View

Lake Skanatati from the Viewpoint

Scenery Along the A-SB Trail

One of the Mine Openings of the Pine Swamp Mine

Scenery Along the A-SB Trail

Rock at Times Square

Black Rat Snake Across the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail

View Ascending Up on the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail

Red Huckleberry Bushes Atop the High Point on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail 

Another Angle at the Above Area

Descending the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail

Marker at the Bottle Cap Trail.
The Ribbon is to Make it Noticeable at the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail Intersection

Small Mine Shaft of the Surebridge Mine Along the Bottle Cap Trail./
This is not Shown on the Trail Conference Maps

Scenery Along the Bottle Cap Trail

Lonely Tree Along the A-SB Trail

Scenery Along the A-SB Trail

Amazing Colors Along the A-SB Trail

More Amazing Colors on the A-SB Trail

Rock Formation Known as "Cape Horn" Right Off the Long Path.
I went Through  These Rocks for a Scenic Bypass

Peninsula on Lake Skanatati as Seen from the Long Path

A Zoom into the Above Photo

View of Lake Skanatati Near the End of the Hike

Fingerboard Mountain to Greenwood Mine

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tiorati Brook Trail: Blue blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Surebridge Mine Road: Unblazed
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Varied scenery, Greenwood Mine
Pros: Very scenic area
Cons: Sound of motorcycles from nearby 7 Lakes Drive, Lack of panoramic view

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The fall colors were really starting to show, and this was a great hike to view the foliage. It was a very cold day for this time of the year, and I regretted not bringing a sweater or light jacket. Though I was moving pretty fast and it was sunny so I stayed warm. I parked at the Tiorati Circle parking area, and took the short Tiorati Brook Trail up to the top where it meets the Appalachian Trail and Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail.

I took the combined Appalachian Trail and Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail south until the split near the Fingerboard Shelter, and then took the Appalachian Trail down the hill towards the Greenwood Mine. At the Greenwood Mine I took the Surebridge Mine Road for a short distance to the Long Path. I took the Long Path all the way to Arden Valley Road, and then walked along the side of the road up and over the hill back to the parking area.

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

Bright Red Huckleberries on the R-D/AT 

Autumn Colors Along the Trail

The Trail Atop Fingerboard Mountain

Summit of Fingerboard Mountain

Another View at the Summit of Fingerboard Mountain

View at the Summit of Fingerboard Mountain

Beautiful Colors on the AT

Greenwood Mine Area

Swamp by the Greenwood Mine

Another View of the Swamp

Lake Tiorati at the End of the Hike

Another View of Lake Tiorati

Bear Mountain Zoo to Ft. Montgomery

Bear Mountain State Park
Rockland and Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1777 Trail: Red Blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Twin Forts Trail: Blue blaze
Twin Forts Connector Trail: Red blaze
AT Connector Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Bear Mountain Zoo, Bridges, Ft. Montgomery Historical Site
Pros: Interesting sights, good views, nice bridge views
Cons: Many parts are built up and paved and more of a walk than a hike

Google Map of Parking:

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I was out of town for several days of the previous week, and therefore did not have an oppurtunity to go on any hike over the weekend. I had returned to see many of the trees changing color and the foliage really coming out. It suprised me how early this year the trees have changed. It is likely due to both the relatively cool August temperatures and little rain over the summer.

I had taken the oppurtunity to go on this shorter, easier hike due to the fact that it was a weekday and I was by myself. This is not a traditional hike in the woods, rather much of the area is paved and through points of interest. Though there are some fascinating river and bridge views, with three bridges encountered along the route.

I parked at the Hudson River landing picnic area in Bear Mountain, and took the path up the hill towards the zoo. The zoo entrance is where the Appalachian Trail meets up, and this hiking trail actually goes right through the zoo. I walked through the zoo, taking the spur to the river view and then back by the bear den. Walking towards the bridge, I then veered towards the other view right by the bridge, where the Twin Forts Trail begins.

The Twin Forts Trail connects the historic revolutionary forts of Fort Clinton, (which is now at the site of the Bear Mountain Zoo and bridge) and Fort Montgomery, which is on the other side of the Popolopen Brook. This trail goes under the Bear Mountain Bridge, down to the bottom of the Popolopen Valley, across a foothpath suspension bridge over the outlet of Popolopen Brook, and then up the hill to Fort Montgomery.

At Fort Montgomery, I ventured around the grounds and looked at some of the sites. I also went into the relatively new visitor's center and looked around. I then headed back along the Twin Forts Trail, and then took the Twin Forts Connector Trail to the street level above the bridge. I crossed the busy road, and then took the AT Connector Trail which bypasses the zoo. I then took this trail to its end, and then took the path back down to my car.

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

Pretty Foliage Along the Hudson River Connector Path

Anthony's Nose from View Along the Hudson River Connector Path

Bears in Bear Den in the Zoo, on the Appalachian Trail

Viewpoint in the Zoo Overlooking Anthony's Nose
and the Bear Mountain Bridge

At the Same Viewpoint, Facing South Towards Peekskill

Nice View of the Bear Mountain Bridge in Fall Foliage

Beautiful Colors and Bridge Silhouette at the
Entrance to the Twin Forts Trail

Beautiful Red Maple in Full Autumn Colors

View Directly Under the Bear Mountain Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail

New Plaque Dedicated to the Popolopen Creek Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail
(The William J. Moreau Popolopen Bridge)

Crossing the William J. Moreau Popolopen Bridge on the Twin Forts Trail

Route 9W Bridge Crossing of the Popolopen Creek

Pretty Colors on the Opposite Side of the Popolopen Creek

Fort Montogmery Archeological Site

View Inside Fort Montgomery Facing Bear Mountain

View of the Outlet of Popolopen Creek with the Bear Mountain
Bridge and Anthony's Nose

Anthony's Nose from the Popolopen Creek Outlet

Diamond Mountain and Lake Wanoksink

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail: Red Blaze
Hillburn Torne Sebago Trail: Orange Blaze
Pine Meadow Road: Unblazed
7 Hills Trail: Blue Blaze

Total Time: 3:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.4 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Diamond Mountain View, Lake Wanoksink
Pros: Good climb and view, Remote Lake
Cons: Beginning Park is busy and small road part

Hiking Partner:
Stuart Gensler

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This late September hike featured warm weather, but it was cloudy and had drizzled in the morning. This is a nice area of the park with many paths and trails, pretty lakes, and a good climb. We parked at the Lake Sebago Boat Launch. The area has recently been refurbished with new paving and a grassy area with new trees planted there.

We walked along the old path on the side of Lake Sebago past the old beach, then walked on 7 Lakes Drive south for a short time, and then took the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail to the Hillburn Torne Sebago Trail. We took the Hillburn Torne Sebago Trail up the steep climb to Diamond Mountain, where there is a good view on top. We then took the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail to Pine Meadow Road, and hooked back on Pine Meadow Road to Lake Wanoksink.

We took a break at Lake Wanoksink near the dam by the area where the path goes right to the lake. We then turned around and took the woods road to the 7 Hills Trail towards Conklin Mountain, and then continued along this trail down the mountain and to the car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Parks Southern Map

Newly Refurbished Boat Launch Area at Lake Sebago

Lake Sebago Atop the HTS Scramble

Lake Sebago from the Viewpoint Atop Diamond Mountain.
Facing North.

Stuart at the Above View

Me at the Above View

Walking Along Pine Meadow Road, with Early Foliage

Lake Wanoksink. Note the Shrubs Changing Colors.

Lake Wanoksink

Stuart Sitting on a Log at Lake Wanoksink

The Recently Fixed Dam at Lake Wanoksink