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A scramble up exposed rock faces with excellent views of the Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Popolopen Gorge.


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Map Key

1.9

Miles

3.1

KM

Point to Point

1,290' 393 m

High

163' 50 m

Low

1,128' 344 m

Up

5' 2 m

Down

11%

Avg Grade (6°)

53%

Max Grade (28°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · Views · Wildlife

Description

An ideal first stage of a Bear Mountain loop, this trail is "spicier" than the Appalachian Trail approach, as well as more scenic and more challenging. Stroll past scenic Hessian Lake on a flat grade, then ascend through woodland, breaking out on to a series of rock slabs that will give you an ever-improving view of the Hudson River valley.

To access this trail, start at the Carousel in the main Bear Mountain parking lot and walk north along the asphalt towards Hessian Lake. Pass the lake on the left and go to almost the other end of the lake, where you'll find a trail leaving the pavement up to the left.

Follow this trail as it gently curves to the left and suddenly begins to ascend more directly. For an alternative start, the trail can also be accessed from the southern end of Hessian Lake as shown on this map.

After passing through some rough trail and some newly installed steps, you'll emerge at the first of a series of exposed rock faces. Your shoes should just barely allow you to walk up these faces without the use of hands in dry weather, but maintain three points of contact to be safe!

Each ledge offers a better and better view, first of Popolopen Torne across Popolopen Gorge and Route 6, then the town of Fort Montgomery, then the Bear Mountain Bridge, and north to West Point.

Finally, you'll cross Perkins Memorial Drive (watch out for cyclists and motor vehicles!) and reach the summit plateau, where the trail turns right to contour around under the summit through a mythical-looking pine forest strewn with house-sized boulders, eventually ending at the summit parking lot. Take pictures of the skyscrapers of Manhattan a world away, and descend back to the car via the Appalachian Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NY State Parks

Shared By:

Kristen Arendt

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 10 votes

#7361

Overall
  4.3 from 10 votes
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Trail Rankings

#242

in New York

#7,361

Overall
21 Views Last Month
9,362 Since Nov 22, 2016
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Photos

A few hours of travel finally brought us to the peak!
May 17, 2017 near Fort Mo…, NY
Hudson River from the Major Welch Trail on Bear Mountain
Sep 11, 2017 near Fort Mo…, NY
Spring
Apr 11, 2018 near Fort Mo…, NY
Hudson in the background
May 9, 2018 near Fort Mo…, NY
Even on a foggy day, the hike itself is worth it!
May 9, 2018 near Fort Mo…, NY
A buddy and I admire the views once we cleared the treeline.
May 17, 2017 near Fort Mo…, NY

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Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 19 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jun 21, 2020
Jom Lumagui
Elevation gain: 790 ft Elevation: 1,296 ft max 146ft min HR:156 bpm 4mi — 3h 11m
May 25, 2020
Sergey Blednov
Oct 19, 2019
Guanghui Yang
Sep 28, 2019
Harsida Desai
Apr 21, 2019
JulieAnn Dean-Power
Oct 30, 2018
Mark G
Apr 14, 2017
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