Appalachian Trail in New York
Arden Valley Rd to Bear Mountain Bridge
Bear Mt, West Mt, Black Mt, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park
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Appalachian Trail in New York Arden Valley Rd to Bear Mountain Bridge Bear Mt, West Mt, Black Mt, Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park
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Brief Description of Section
This section passes through the northern portion of Harriman State Park and Bear Mountain State Park. From the Bear Mountain Bridge at the northern end of the section, the Appalachian Trail descends to an elevation of 124 feet in the Trailside Museum—the lowest elevation on the entire AT. It then climbs to the summit of Bear Mountain (1,305 feet), marked by the Perkins Tower, and later crosses West, Black, Letterrock, and Goshen mountains. Many beautiful views can be seen from the summits and ridges of these mountains.
The portion of the AT crossing Harriman State Park was the first section of the Appalachian Trail to be completed. It officially opened on Sunday, October 7, 1923.
Financier and railroad magnate Edward R. Harriman (1848-1909) conceived the idea of establishing a park in this area. After his death, the park became a reality. In 1908, the state of New York acquired land around Bear Mountain to erect a prison. Due to the historical significance and scenic beauty of this land, the public objected to this proposal. Finally, in 1910, Harriman’s widow, Mary A. Harriman, agreed to donate 10,000 acres of land to the state on the condition the state abandon its plan to establish a prison at Bear Mountain. Harriman-Bear Mountain Parks expanded considerably in succeeding years, and many improvements were made under the supervision of Major William Welch, general manager and chief engineer of the park from 1910 to 1940. Major Welch designed the diamond-shaped metal marker that became the standard symbol of the Appalachian Trail. He also served as the first chairman of the Appalachian Trail Conference.
The Trailside Museum, opened in 1927, recognized, in small part, Benton MacKaye’s dream of establishing nature trails and museums all along the AT. This is the only such facility ever built along the Trail.
During very dry periods, some trails in the park may be closed to the public to prevent forest fires; however, the AT should remain open under agreements with the Appalachian Trail community. During such periods, hikers are advised to consult the staff members at the park’s headquarters at Bear Mountain or at the stone building at the Tiorati Circle for current information on the status of the trails in the park.
For descriptions of the various trails crossing the AT in this section, as well as other trails in the vicinity, consult Harriman Trails: A Guide and History
, published by the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
For more info on this section of the AT, get the guide book Appalachian Trail Guide to New York-New Jersey
.
Pictures from along the Appalachian Trail
[photogallery/photo13311/real.htm]
Road Approaches
Both the northern and southern ends of this section are accessible by vehicle. The northern end is at the tollgate at the western end of the Bear Mountain Bridge. No parking is available here, but ample parking is available at the Bear Mountain Inn, 0.8 mile to the south (fee charged in summer). At the southern end, the Trail crosses Arden Valley Road 0.3 mile west of its intersection with Seven Lakes Drive at the Tiorati Circle. No parking is available at the Trail crossing, but ample parking is available at the Tiorati Circle (fee charged in summer).
Public Transportation
At the northern end of the section, bus service to New York City via Short Line Bus System, (201) 444-7005, is available at the Bear Mountain Inn, 0.8 mile to the south on the Trail. No public transportation is available at the southern end of the section.
Shelters and Campsites
This section has two shelters:
West Mountain Shelter: Stone structure; built in 1928; 5.8 miles from northern end of section; 7.3 miles from southern end of section; 0.6 mile from the A.T. on blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail; accommodates 8; water may be available from unreliable spring 0.4 mile farther on Timp-Torne Trail (steep descent required—not recommended).
Next shelter: north 31.0 miles (RPH Shelter); south 3.1 miles.
William Brien Memorial Shelter: Stone structure; built in 1933 by Civilian Conservation Corps; 8.9 miles from northern end of section; 4.2 miles from southern end of section; accommodates 8; water from spring-fed well on blue-blazed trail (may fail in dry weather). This shelter is named in memory of the first president of the New York Ramblers, William Brien, who bequeathed funds to erect a shelter on the A.T. The original shelter at Island Pond was removed and the name transferred to this shelter on Letterrock Mountain.
Next shelter: north 3.3 miles; south 5.3 miles (Fingerboard Shelter).
West Mountain Shelter
William Brien Memorial Shelter
Supplies, Services, and Accommodations
At the northern end of the section, meals are available at the Bear Mountain Inn, 0.8 mile to the south along the Trail. A post office (ZIP Code 10911) and the headquarters of Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks are near the inn. Meals, groceries, and a post office (ZIP Code 10922) are available in the village of Fort Montgomery, 0.7 mile to the north along U.S. 9W.
At the southern end, refreshments may be obtained during the summer at the Tiorati Circle, 0.3 mile east of the Trail crossing of Arden Valley Road. A ranger station, bathing beach, and a public phone are located at the Tiorati Circle. Water is available from early May until November 1 from a faucet at the northeast corner of the circle.
Trail Description, North to South
Miles Data
0.0 From tollgate at west end of Bear Mountain Bridge, turn left, pass through gate in fence, and enter Trailside Museum and Zoo. Reach nature and geology museums and Fort Clinton Historical Museum, then bear right, and follow paved path through zoo, past exhibits and memorials, including a statue of Walt Whitman. (If gate is closed after 5 p.m., continue straight ahead to traffic circle, bear left, cross U.S. 9W, and proceed to Hessian Lake straight ahead. Then turn left, and follow paved path along eastern shore of lake until A.T. is reached toward southern end of lake.)
0.3 Pass through gate, and leave Trailside Museum and Zoo. Immediately turn right, passing refreshment stand on right. Then, turn right for 250 feet, turn left, and cross under U.S. 9W via underpass. Walk up steps, turn left, and follow paved path for 125 feet. Then, turn left on another paved path.
0.6 Turn right toward lake. (Paved path straight ahead leads to Bear Mountain Inn.) After 100 feet, turn left, and continue on another paved path along eastern shore of Hessian Lake.
0.8 Reach playground area at southern end of lake. Turn left, cutting diagonally across playground, and reach junction of paved paths. Here, Major Welch, Cornell, and Suffern-Bear Mountain (S-BM) trails begin. (Major Welch Trail provides an alternate route up Bear Mountain.) Bear right, and follow paved path (jointly with yellow-blazed S-BM Trail) uphill.
1.0 Cross under ski jump.
1.1 Bear right onto crushed-stone road. In another 150 feet, continue straight ahead as crushed-stone road curves to right.
1.2 Turn left, and cross stream.
1.4 Turn right, leaving S-BM Trail (which continues straight ahead).
1.8 Reach old paved road, the former route of Perkins Drive (now abandoned), and turn right. In 150 feet, reach dead-end turnaround of Scenic Drive, and continue straight ahead on road, with beautiful views to right of Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, Bear Mountain Inn, and Iona Island.
2.1 Turn left, and climb rock steps. Continue to ascend, with more views of the Hudson River and Iona Island.
2.3 Cross Scenic Drive.
2.4 Cross Scenic Drive again.
2.6 Pass plaque commemorating Joseph Bartha, pioneer trail builder, and reach summit of Bear Mountain (1,305 feet) at base of Perkins Memorial Tower, built in 1934 in memory of George W. Perkins, first president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Beautiful views south to New York City skyline, west to Ramapo Hills, and east over Hudson Highlands. Turn left, and continue along edge of paved road.
2.7 Turn left, leave paved road, and begin steady descent.
3.2 Reach paved Perkins Drive. Turn left, and follow road downhill.
3.7 Leave Perkins Drive, and turn right into woods.
4.2 Cross Seven Lakes Drive. Turn left on wide woods road, route of the 1777 Trail.
4.3 Turn right onto woods road, now a cross-country ski trail.
4.5 Fawn Trail, marked with bright red blazes, begins on right.
4.6 Turn right, leave woods road, and begin steep ascent of West Mountain.
5.0 Reach beautiful viewpoint to east and southeast over Bear Mountain and Hudson River.
5.1 Blue-blazed Timp-Torne (T-T) Trail comes in from right and runs concurrently with A.T. In another 200 feet, reach second viewpoint over Bear Mountain and Hudson River, then turn right, and cross to west side of ridge.
5.2 Reach first of a series of viewpoints to west from rocky ledges on the west side of West Mountain. Swimming pool of Anthony Wayne Recreation Area is visible directly below. Continue along west ridge of West Mountain.
5.4 Climb to top of long, flat rock, then turn right, and descend. In another 375 feet, turn left, and again come out on rocky ledges, with good views to west.
5.8 A.T. continues straight ahead as T-T Trail diverges to left. West Mountain Shelter is 0.6 mile ahead on T-T Trail. A.T. soon begins to descend.
6.3 Cross Beechy Bottom Road, marked with white plastic blazes as a bike path, and bear left, continuing along side of hill.
6.5 Cross stream, a water source. In another 200 feet, cross woods road, marked with white plastic blazes as a bike path and with red plastic blazes as a cross-country ski trail.
6.6 Cross Beechy Bottom Brook on wooden bridge.
6.7 After ascending along side of hill, turn sharp right. Red-on-white-blazed Ramapo-Dunderberg (R-D) Trail comes in from left and runs concurrently with A.T. for next 3.0 miles.
6.8 Reach Palisades Interstate Parkway. Cross parkway, and reenter woods.
6.9 Cross old woods road.
7.1 Cross 1779 Trail, descend briefly, then begin ascent of Black Mountain, steeply in places.
7.5 Trail comes out on open rocks on south side of Black Mountain, with beautiful views of Hudson River to east. On a clear day, New York City is visible to the south. Continue across ridge of Black Mountain.
7.8 Begin to descend.
7.9 Reach viewpoint to northwest over Silvermine Lake. Descend steeply over rocky ridge.
8.0 Cross fire road, now a cross-country ski trail, and begin ascent of Letterrock Mountain.
8.9 Descend steeply over rocks, and reach William Brien Memorial Shelter. Blue-blazed trail to left leads 250 feet to spring-fed well, a water source (may fail in dry weather).
9.2 After ascent, reach rocky clearing, with views through trees to left.
9.7 At wooden bridge over wet area in saddle between Goshen and Letterrock mountains, A.T. turns right and proceeds over shoulder of Goshen Mountain as R-D Trail continues straight ahead to the Tiorati Circle.
9.9 Leave old woods road, and soon begin to descend gradually.
10.1 Make sharp right turn.
10.8 Turn left onto fire road.
10.9 Cross Seven Lakes Drive diagonally to the left, and reenter woods.
11.1 Cross bridge over stream, and begin ascent.
11.2 Cross cleared area, and continue to ascend.
11.3 Make sharp left turn, around switchback.
11.9 Reach rocky promontory; view to south over Lake Tiorati.
12.0 Turn left onto old woods road.
12.1 Turn left, and reenter woods. In another 300 feet, turn left, and rejoin woods road.
12.3 Leave woods road, and continue on footpath.
12.4 Cross woods road. Soon begin steady ascent.
12.7 Descend over rocks.
13.1 Reach Arden Valley Road (end of section). To continue, cross paved road, and reenter woods, following woods road.
Trail Description, South to North
Miles Data
0.0 From crest of hill on Arden Valley Road, follow Trail north into woods.
0.4 Ascend over rocks. In another 250 feet, begin steady descent.
0.7 Cross woods road.
0.8 Join old woods road.
1.0 Turn right, and reenter woods. In another 300 feet, rejoin woods road coming in from left.
1.1 Turn right, leaving woods road.
1.2 Reach rocky promontory with view to south over Lake Tiorati; turn left into woods; soon begin steady descent.
1.8 Make sharp right turn around switchback.
1.9 Cross cleared area. Trail soon levels off.
2.1 Cross bridge over stream.
2.2 Cross Seven Lakes Drive diagonally to the left, and follow grassy fire road into woods.
2.3 Turn right, leave fire road, and begin gradual ascent of shoulder of Goshen Mountain. (Fire road continues ahead to William Brien Memorial Shelter.)
3.0 Make sharp left turn.
3.2 Begin to descend on old woods road.
3.4 At the wooden bridge in the saddle between Goshen and Letterrock mountains, red-on-white-blazed Ramapo-Dunderberg (R-D) Trail comes in from right and joins A.T., running concurrently with it for the next 3.0 miles.
3.9 Reach rocky clearing, with views through trees to right, and begin to descend.
4.2 Cross old fire road, and reach William Brien Memorial Shelter. Blue-blazed trail to right leads 250 feet to spring-fed well, a water source (may fail in dry weather). Immediately after passing shelter, Trail climbs steeply up rocky ridge.
5.1 Cross fire road, now used as a cross-country ski trail, and ascend steeply over rocky ridge.
5.2 Reach viewpoint to northwest over Silvermine Lake.
5.3 Reach crest of Black Mountain, with views to south. Continue along crest of ridge.
5.5 Trail comes out on open rocks on south side of Black Mountain, with beautiful views of Hudson River to east. On a clear day, New York City may be visible to the south. Continue across ridge of Black Mountain, then begin steep descent.
6.0 Cross 1779 Trail.
6.2 Cross old woods road.
6.3 Reach Palisades Interstate Parkway. Cross parkway, and reenter woods.
6.4 R-D Trail bears right as A.T. turns sharp left and descends along side of hill.
6.5 Cross Beechy Bottom Brook on wooden bridge.
6.6 Cross woods road, marked with white plastic blazes as a bike path and red plastic blazes as a cross-country ski trail. In another 200 feet, cross stream, a water source, and begin to ascend, then bear left, and continue along side of hill.
6.8 Cross Beechy Bottom Road, marked with white plastic blazes as a bike path, and begin steep ascent up West Mountain.
7.2 Reach open rock ledges, with excellent views to west. Continue to ascend.
7.3 Again come out on open ledges, and reach crest of west ridge of West Mountain. Blue-blazed Timp-Torne (T-T) Trail comes in from right and runs concurrently with A.T. West Mountain Shelter is 0.6 mile to right on T-T Trail. A.T. continues along west ridge of West Mountain, with many beautiful views to west.
7.7 Turn right, and soon climb to top of long, flat rock, then descend.
7.9 Again come out on open ledges on west ridge of West Mountain, with swimming pool of Anthony Wayne Recreation Area visible directly below. After reaching second open ledge, turn right, and cross to east side of ridge.
8.0 Reach beautiful viewpoint to east and southeast over Bear Mountain and Hudson River, then begin to descend. In another 200 feet, A.T. bears right at fork as T-T Trail continues straight ahead.
8.1 Reach second viewpoint over Bear Mountain and Hudson River. Continue to descend rather steeply.
8.4 Join old woods road, now a cross-country ski trail, which comes in from right, and continue gradual descent.
8.6 Fawn Trail, marked with bright red blazes, begins on left.
8.8 Turn left on wide woods road, route of 1777 Trail.
8.9 Turn right, and cross Seven Lakes Drive. Reenter woods, and begin ascent of Bear Mountain.
9.4 Reach paved Perkins Drive. Turn left, and follow paved road uphill.
9.9 Turn right off Perkins Drive, and reenter woods, ascending steadily.
10.4 Reach summit of Bear Mountain (1,305 feet) at base of Perkins Memorial Tower, built in 1934 in memory of George W. Perkins, first president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. Beautiful views south to New York City skyline, west to Ramapo Hills, and east over Hudson Highlands. Turn right, and continue along edge of paved road.
10.5 Turn right, passing plaque commemorating Joseph Bartha, pioneer trail builder, and begin steady descent. In 150 feet, bear left on relocated Trail.
10.7 Cross paved Scenic Drive.
10.8 Cross Scenic Drive again, and continue to descend, with views ahead of Hudson River and Iona Island.
11.0 Turn right onto Scenic Drive. Continue along road, with beautiful views to the left of Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, Bear Mountain Inn, and Iona Island.
11.3 Reach dead-end turnaround of Scenic Drive, and continue straight ahead on abandoned road, the former route of Perkins Drive. In another 150 feet, turn left, and descend steadily on footpath.
11.7 Turn left onto route of yellow-blazed Suffern-Bear Mountain (S-BM) Trail, which comes in from right and runs concurrently with A.T.
11.9 Cross stream, and turn right.
12.0 Join crushed-stone road coming in from left. In another 150 feet, join paved road coming in from right.
12.1 Cross under ski jump.
12.3 Reach intersection of paved paths at southern end of Hessian Lake. The S-BM Trail ends here, as do the Major Welch (which provides an alternate route to the top of Bear Mountain) and Cornell trails. Paved path straight ahead leads to Bear Mountain Inn. Turn left, and cut diagonally across playground area, then turn right, and follow paved path along shore of Hessian Lake.
12.5 Turn right, away from shore, on paved path for 100 feet, then turn left, and follow another paved path parallel to Hessian Lake. (After five p.m., continue along shore path to end of Hessian Lake, then turn right, cross U.S. 9W, follow it around traffic circle, turn right, and continue to tollgate of Bear Mountain Bridge.)
12.6 Turn right, then walk down steps, and cross under U.S. 9W via underpass. Turn right on opposite side of underpass for 250 feet, then turn left, passing refreshment stand to left.
12.8 Turn left, and enter Trailside Museum and Zoo. (If gate is closed, follow U.S. 9W to north, and turn right at traffic circle to reach tollgate of Bear Mountain Bridge.) Pass exhibits and memorials, including a statue of Walt Whitman, and proceed through zoo.
13.1 Pass nature and geology museums and Fort Clinton Historical Museum. Bear left, pass through gate in fence, and reach tollgate of Bear Mountain Bridge (end of section). To continue, turn right, and cross bridge.
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