There was a NYNJTC booth at the trailhead near Hessian Lake and the guys there told me the new section of the AT is almost done. From the road crossing, the White Trail descends through picturesque woods, until it plops you out onto another road in about five minutes. I know this was the wrong link, but I enjoyed it immensely and it was like I was walking the trail with you. Otherwise, you could wander straight here into the wild green yonder. Slovenian Mountain Trail: Day 6 2020-06-22. I did this hike solo (and for the first time!) (Okay, maybe the vending machines are okay.). Thank you so much for such an excellent and detailed guide! Bearwallow Mountain offers exceptional scenery in reward for a short hike! In season, appreciate the great variety of wildflowers, beginning at the trailhead and continuing all the way to the summit. ), we also visited the Trailside Zoo and the rockin’ carousel. I counted the steps. Thanks for this great post and for the Google Map markers! Bear Mountain Trail is the best hike in Sedona. Bear Canyon Trail is the quintessential "it's the journey, not the destination" hike. Man, I’m really offended by all the people who aren’t reading this anymore. The view is amazing whether the trees are brown or green, in my humble opinion. I know Fahnestock currently (11/17/20) lists a few trails closed for tree maintenance. I’d totally underestimated Bear Mountain because of the road to the summit, those “cheaters” totally miss out on the spectacular. I wouldn’t attempt the road walk from Bear Mountain Bridge all the way along 202 to the Toll House, either — the road is quite twisty and not ideal at all for pedestrians. On your left, you can see across the field to the awesome carousel building. What a great hike. Thanks for being awesome! Venture around to the other side of the tower. The hike to the top of the mountain is mostly unshaded, steep and difficult in places. This restaurant serves latin-inspired food and we had the best burger ever here. Now that you’re on the Appalachian Trail, you can just follow those white blazes all the way back to the start of today’s loop (from Step 2 above). Enjoy the views of Hessian Lake as you amble along the paved path to its left. Hike this little-used trail on the east side of Cougar Mountain past an enormous glacial boulder left over from the last ice age. There was a bit of rock scrambling the closer we got to the top. 2. If you’re coming across the bridge from the east, enter the roundabout, then take the last exit for Route 202 west and Route 9W south, toward Haverstraw. The Perkins Memorial Tower atop Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the park, the Hudson Highlands and Harriman State Park. To explore trails in the winter, just click on the upper-right icon of the maps to access the legend. The rock on the trail becomes increasingly brittle as you go, so be aware of those hiking below you and be sure to hike on the most secure and durable surfaces. At the parking lot entrance, let the attendant relieve you of $10, find a spot, then hop out and let the adventure begin! Also be sure to check out all the revolutionary war history in the trailside museums. ), 26. We’ll be hopping on the Major Welch Trail to ascend Bear Mountain, and coming back down on the Appalachian Trail. Bear Mountain Trail is a 6.5 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Salisbury, Connecticut that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. It is an upscale restaurant so I wouldn’t recommend wandering in here sweaty and dirty after just coming off the hiking trail. To get back … I was huffing all the way up. There is no shade on the trail so bring your sunscreen, your hat and lots of water. Humans: So cool sometimes, so not cool sometimes. Of all the great hikes in Red Rock Country, the Bear Mountain Trail is one of the locals’ favorites. 7. Whatever you choose to do from here, I hope you’re glad you chose to do this hike today! Longest Run: Geronimo - 1.5 mi/2.4 km. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference offers concise, excellent advice on hiking during this crisis here: The New Hiking How-tos. The trail cuts across a flat, grassy plain, lumbering in and out of a few sandy, rain-carved washes. Even though these trails have more traffic, Cathedral Rock, Brins Mesa, and Boynton Canyon also sound interesting. Afterward, you can cool off with an ice cream from the Hiker’s Café or If you find this free trail guide useful, please provide payment by picking up at least one piece of litter on your hike. On my first visit to this spot (as a cheater), the door was locked (karma for cheating). Read all of our articles in our. Flattop Mountain Trail. One of these days I will leave them to picnic, zoo and carousel while I hike up and over. Step over the small gate and you should see a sign confirming that you are on the Bear Mountain Trail. Vending machines. Happy hiking! Soak it in. Red Rock Pass: You will need to purchase a Red Rock Pass for this hike. About twenty minutes past the giant’s hot tub, you’ll arrive at my son’s favorite stretch of trail, with several steep, open rock faces to traverse. If so, were they slippery? In just a minute, the Appalachian Trail joins us from the right. Don’t go that way. Many people just lounge on the lawn and enjoy the views of Anthony’s Nose looming across the river, too. The summit is a bit disappointing. One last thing I like to do while cavorting with the cheaters. There is also a bus from Manhattan to Bear Mountain (which I’ve not yet tried), for those looking for carfree-accessible hike. Bear mountain trail was a great hike!!! On our most recent visit, though, it was wide open. San Bernardino Peak Hike. 27. There’s plenty to do here, so whenever you visit, expect to have some company. So who’s really getting cheated here? We’ll wait here. 20. At the beginning of the hike (trailhead), there is a gate and two signs, one giving you the distance to the top, and another one indicating that you are in fact on the Bear Mountain forest service road. AND don’t forget to scamper down the short trail that goes under the Bear Mt. Hopefully, they made it out OK. Total time for our trip was about 4.5 hours. 8. 4. It's a very popular place to hike and on the weekends the rock pile at the top of Bear You get a view up the Hudson to the north, along with a glimpse at the Bear Mountain Bridge. And really, why shouldn’t there be? Required fields are marked *. The view of the trail and the first climb of the hike from Boynton Pass Road. Layered Glove System. If you skip climbing Bear Mountain just because of the parking lot, you will be doing yourself a terrible disservice. There WILL be people up there. Really. (If she’s not a regular hiker, though, I’d recommend working up to this hike with some shorter ones first, just to make sure she’s up to it.) How long did you take you to climb those steep rocks? The homepage for the aptly named Trailside Zoo Before traveling to Sedona, I purchased the book Sedona’s Top 10 Hikes. Whew! Eventually, the trail will level out in a saddle and you'll be presented with amazing views of Bear Canyon, The Flatirons, Green Mountain, Boulder and the Continental Divide. I used this as my reference guide and trail map. Bear Lake Trailhead is the starting point for many of RMNP’s most popular hikes including the easy 0.5 mile (0.8k) loop around Bear Lake, the 3.6 mile (5.8k) roundtrip hike to Emerald Lake that also passes by Nymph and Dream Lakes, and the 2.0 mile (3.2k) roundtrip to the powerful Alberta Falls, passing through many aspen groves. Wave to any friendly turtles you pass, and enjoy the smooth sailing. You also have a great chance to see marmots running around. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Veer left to stay on the Major Welch trail. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. My son almost wandered in the wild green yonder here. Since I realized we were going to run out of light, I didn’t take the time to really think about how to begin our decent. Your honesty entitles you to at least an extra 1,500 calories at dinner tonight, and one full-size can of Pringles. From here on out, 50% of the proceeds generated from the purchase of sweet custom gear from Hike the Hudson Valley’s online store will be donated to the NY-NJ Trail Conference, the organization that makes so many of our adventures possible. Dogs are also able to use this trail. But that’s just my opinion. The peak affords some fantastic views of the surrounding area. If you have a hankering for Italian, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano also gets rave reviews. The trail begins at a broad path at the parking area, crosses two washes and then starts a gradual ascent 1/4 mile to the wilderness boundary at the base of the mountain. However, just 48 hours before hiking the Bear Mountain Trail, Tim and I hiked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim in one day. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You guys are tough, Steve! Thanks again, -jims. To get on the Bear Mountain Trail, cross the street and you will see the trailhead. Your email address will not be published. The trailhead is across the street and the initial approach is very flat. To everyone who created this trail, thank you for making the Hudson Valley a better place to live, visit, and explore! 10 Great Hikes in Zion: Which One Will Be Your Favorite? I kept your blog open the whole way up to make sure we were on the right path and read out tidbits to my husband – love your humor. During the summer months, it can get very hot. 18. It sounds like you weren’t following the instructions above when you started heading for Georgia, but if there’s anything I can do to modify this trail guide to make sure others don’t hit the same problem, please let me know! Honestly, we did not enjoy this hike as much as we thought we would. Looks like the old link worked on some devices and not others. In another minute, stroll straight past a turnoff on your left for a picnic area. It is a relatively short but steep hike. Stop judging me! The trail begins at a broad path at the parking area, crosses two washes and then starts a gradual quarter-mile ascent to the wilderness boundary at the base of the mountain. Bear Mountain Map provided by the Trail Conference This free map of a portion of Bear Mountain State Park is provided by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. There are four steep, exhausting, thigh-killing climbs on this hike. Here are photos of the hike in order from start to finish. The trail immediately becomes steep and rocky. Enjoy the views and watch your step! You’re back where you started. Bear Mountain trail is short, and gains elevation quickly. Background you can feel free to skip: For years, Bear Mountain State Park was a notable omission on HiketheHudsonValley.com, serving as arguably the most quintessential Hudson Valley hike not yet documented here. Day Hike: Lookout Mountain 2020-11-03. Consider how lucky you are to live in such a beautiful ‘neighborhood.’, Your email address will not be published. The first section of the Appalachian Trial was constructed at Bear Mountain, taking hikers south to the Delaware Water Gap. In just a moment, at the stoplight, veer right onto Seven Lakes Drive, then turn right at the Bear Mountain Inn to follow the signs for PARKING. 5. You can also get directions by checking out the Bear Mountain State Park entry on the HiketheHudsonValley.com Google map. When you reach the cul-de-sac, follow the trail as it veers off to the right. Let’s get started! Find this big stone bench with the best view on the summit - perfect for sunset picnics. do you think I would catch a worth it scene? You may do better to hit this hike on a weekday – the parking lot can fill up on nice weekends. Guided by a NYS licensed hiking guide, learn about the trails and spot some wildlife on a hike from the historic Bear Mountain Inn. After many more steps and some beautiful stretches of trail, you’ll pop out onto another nice view, this time looking south down the river. You get two false peaks before the final stretch of climbing that takes you to the end of trail. If you’re coming across the bridge from the east, enter the roundabout, then take the last exit for Route 202 west and Route 9W south, toward Haverstraw. 716. It’s like a microcosm of the World. You’re welcome! When you’re ready to continue, return to the red-dot-on-white trail and bear … Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet Terrain Parks (200+ Features): 14. Another view from the trail. 29. concerned that I would be disappointed. Lisca. You could that walking on your hands, right? and felt like a champ for knowing where to go and what to expect along the way. Plan your outdoor adventure with Big Bear Mountain Resort trail maps below. You’d probably get to over 1,000 if you counted the steps on the Major Welch Trail, too. (According to this Bear Mountain Trails Project page, it was the always-awesome New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, in cooperation with several other super-cool groups, that made all this awesomeness happen.) Here’s one great way: Visit the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference homepage and click on Volunteer, Donate, or Shop! The first climb of the hike. After a recent storm it’s common to have large chunks of trails blocked by fallen trees. Maybe a little easier before going back up the major Welch trail If you have a GPS and know how to load the GPX track (below), it will be helpful. The initial stages are easy, but then you hit the rocky stretches where you gain altitude quickly. (By June 21 they were already past peak, but not by much.). Jim, so sorry you had such an unexpected adventure out there! 16. Right???? When we did cross the road the second time, it was too dark to continue in the woods, so we decided to stay on the road heading downhill (thinking we were on Perkins road). About six minutes after the road crossing, you’ll arrive at a junction with a blue-blazed trail. The view of the trail and the first climb of the hike from Boynton Pass Road. Although I typically would not reccomend this, I definitely dont believe the warning should hinder anyones desision to hike the very senic trail. We chose the last (and perhaps lamest) option, after reading some more educational signage. We did this today (Saturday morning) arriving around 10 am and had no trouble parking. Thank you. Bear Mountain is located northwest of the town of Sedona. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. (I was a little concerned about how my 9.5-year-old pooch would do here, but she clambered right up, no problem. (Enter Bear Mountain as your destination on the Coach USA site for the schedule.). Bear Mountain in Sedona couples stunning views with an incredible challenge. You’ll notice more burn area on the left (West) side of the trail. Almost immediately, you should see the white-blazed Appalachian Trail heading downhill to your right. Woo hoo! Bear Mountain (2,316 feet) is the highest peak in Connecticut (the highest ground is the south slope of Mount Frissel, whose peak is in MA). I see other places that you’ve critiqued which I have been fortunate to see. The lot did seem to be very full on our way out around noon. Immediately after you veer right at the cul-de-sac, the trail turns left, and you can hop down the stone steps to gratefully leave the pavement behind. Besides the awesome hiking, this park also offers many other activities. Just a couple minutes (and many more stone steps) after that view, you’ll cross a footbridge that looks like it took some serious know-how to build. What an amazing place. Along with this guide and some online research, Tim and I picked out our hikes. Duration: 3 Hours. (Then you can volunteer, donate, or shop, depending on your mood.). (UPDATE September 2017: In the comments below, Andrew counted all the steps and came up with 716. Keep heading straight on the now-dually-blazed Major-Welch-and-Appalachian-Trail hybrid. Perhaps you can even find a friendly cheater (obvious by their lack of sweat and synthetic clothing) to take a photo for you. Read all of our articles in our United States Destination Guide. It’s really named after George Wallbridge Perkins, the first president of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. A steep hike through the wilderness to reach the summit of Bear Peak and some outstanding views. today and was very grateful for this post! Took Memorial Day off work with my husband and decided to hike up using your guide. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails. There are plenty of bushes here, but they weren’t quite ready for us in late June. 22. Here’s wishing you and your fiancé a lifetime of finding other things to argue about , I hiked the shorter version of Anthonys Nose by parking at the Bear Mountain Inn and walking across the bridge . As the trail wraps around the western side of the first hill we were treated to a short stretch of shade. But even with the sea of humanity that you may find elsewhere at Bear Mountain, and the all-too-frequent litter, the trails and scenery here are truly beautiful, are quite secluded in many spots, and should be on every local hiker’s to-do list. I was also planning on bringing my six-year-old Shih Tzu but I’m nervous she wouldn’t be able to make it up past those rocks and I’m also nervous about holding her while we climb up in case we slip and fall…. I did this hike today with a friend and it was amazing — great views and a fun scramble on the way up. Mild weather in the first week of November was perfect for a hike on the historical 1777 Trail, the 1779 Trail and the Timp to the top of Bald Mountain, or so we thought when we joined the AMC group at Bear Mountain State Park. But if you like the idea of high mountain views over Sedona on a less trafficked trail, this is a hike to consider. Hang in there and stay safe, everyone! Let’s count our blessings and keep on hiking !! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Join up with West Tibbets Creek trail, Shangri La, or Suprise Creek to create long, rambling loops in the area. HISTORICAL HIKES AT BEAR MOUNTAIN Celebrate Great Outdoors Month by taking advantage of these awesome hikes available throughout June. There was a fair amount of litter along the AT on the way down and at the summit as well, even inside Perkins Tower. Super helpful! Subscribe: Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail. Turn right to walk along the road (which doesn’t have much traffic, but we did see one car driving along here). (Just had another comment bring me back to this comment section – so sorry for my late reply here.). I cheated once but wow, climbing yesterday was amazing. And honestly, we also chose it because it was one of the hardest hikes in the area and we like that kind of thing. I assume that info is accurate and wanted to pass it on. Please be mindful when hiking the trail up to Calf Mountain that this trail was just relocated to the summit of Calf Mountain. The lot is located on Boynton Pass Road. Congratulations! Directions to the trailhead: This park is located immediately south of the Bear Mountain Bridge, on the west side of the Hudson River, on Route 202/Route 9W. From the parking lot (see “Directions to the trailhead below”), cross the field to the left of the Bear Mountain Inn, either by walking across the field itself, or by tromping on the sidewalk that wraps around the inn. The trail begins across Boynton Pass Road from the Bear Mountain and Doe Mountain parking lot. Sounds like an awesome day to be up there. Also try the Yucca fries…yum! At the beginning of the hike (trailhead), there is a gate and two signs, one giving you the distance to the top, and another one indicating that you are in fact on the Bear Mountain forest service road. Continue reading. You can see the views in our photos and decide if this hike is worth it for you. We left early Saturday morning and took Undermountain Trail to Paradise Lane Trail to Bear Mountain. Other than that, fun climbing and beautiful view. And be alert for birds and wild critters. Go past the gate and you start gaining altitude immediately. Immediately after that overlook, look for the sign on the left side of the trail that marks the end of your paved vacation. I just have some questions about the steep open rock slabs between step 10 & 11. Before heading out for your next adventure, please check my Hudson Valley trail closures and parking restrictions due to COVID-19 page to make sure that your intended destination is open. 45 years later, the 19th edition of our popular map set has been completed updated for 2020 and is now available, just in time for fall. I updated the trail guide above with your official count. Thank you for writing this. !All the way to the top is basically straight up, i mean like on your hands and knees!There is a lot of wildlife on the trail such as snakes lizards and lots and lots of bugs!! This 8.8 roundtrip hike leaves at the Bear Lake Trailhead and is mostly all uphill with 3,000 ft elevation gain. The end of the trail is marked by a sign which reads “END OF TRAIL”, in case the overwhelming feeling of joy isn’t enough indication. The trail is primarily used for hiking and trail running and is accessible year-round. I *think* it would be about 4.3 miles from the toll house up the Camp Smith trail to Anthony’s Nose, and down to the 9D trailhead by the Bear Mountain Bridge. Right? Don’t go that way! Over the next 1.25 miles, you’ll climb 1,064 feet. Thank you, Nathan! As of this writing in August 2017, this short section of trail is under construction, with the entrance blocked off. People along the way but still plenty space to chill and enjoy the views. Bear Mountain Hike. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The guide was so good I didn’t need to check it (except once!) Straight ahead, you’ll see the junction where several trails converge. Best Things to do on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim Hike: Planning Guide & Checklist, The Ultimate Guide to Monument Valley for First Time Visitors, 8 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore in the American Southwest, Petrified Forest National Park: Travel Guide & Itinerary. In particular, at step 7/8: after crossing the seasonal stream, there is a giant fallen tree blocking the trail, and the view of the trail. It’s a huge restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating with amazing views of the red rocks. Thank you for the great, detailed guide for the hike. San Gorgonio Hike. Continue reading. You’ll find exhibits and information all over the place, along with some 360-degree views at the top. My pack and pockets were full of other people’s trash by the end of the day, and I only scratched the surface. This is a beautiful property located just outside of the town of Sedona. Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. This hike is only steep for the first .6 miles, then it’s smooth sailing all the way to Anthony’s Nose, following an old, relatively flat road for about .75 miles to the overlook. When you’re done ogling the money spot, it’s time to hop on the Appalachian Trail for our descent. (And in the vending machines, Pringles!) From here, you hike up and around the bald rock to Bear Mountain, which is just behind it. In particular, about five minutes after you veered left to stay on the Major Welch Trail, you’ll come upon a tree with a blue X on it (as of June 2017) – you have to look past that tree, uphill, to find the next Major Welch blaze. Thank you. He was headed up to the tower with a report of two 12-year olds walking. The most common hiking route up Bear Mountain parallels a small spring-fed stream for about half the distance to the summit. You may do better to hit this hike on a weekday – the parking lot can fill up on nice weekends. Turn right to head downhill for a moment on the paved road (the loop for cars, not the paved footpath). Hike by WTA Correspondents : Alan Gibbs. In just another moment, you’ll emerge into the (sigh) parking lot. We went to today by car. (We live in Spain). We hiked in the winter, and there was snow on the trail. The morning after – We’re all a little more stiff and sore than we expected, but overall, it was well worth it. Kidding! Note: This post contains affiliate links. While the rocks are not that much of an obstacle, I would still recommend having good hiking footwear for this hike — it is long and quite rocky in spots, and if you try to do this hike without some good, stiff-soled shoes, I’d expect your feet to be quite unhappy with you by the end of the day. 12. 1821 Reviews. In about ten minutes, you’ll hop across a (probably seasonal) stream. Crowds. If you’ve never been, or maybe even if you have, you should put this hike into your rotation. From the trailhead, the hike doesn’t look too bad. Thanks, George! You nailed it, thanks very much! Thank you for the very detailed guide! An Adventure Pass is required for parking at U.S. Forest Service trailheads. And just think how much gas you’ll save by not just driving to the top! What a cool spot. Bare Mountain, the site of a former fire lookout, is a superb viewpoint with mountains in every direction and lakes close by. Some families were picnicking in the median! Bear Mountain Trail is a 4.9 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Sedona, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. This place is awesome! A small, metal sign marks the end of the trail. Dudes were dragging coolers across three lanes of traffic. The Bear Mountain portion of the Appalachian Trail reaches an elevation of 1,305 feet (397.8 meters) for breath-taking views of the Hudson River. Guided by a NYS licensed hiking guide, learn about the trails and spot some wildlife on a hike from ... an old mine while hiking the bridle trail. BEAR MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN STATISTICS. But this photo gives you an idea what much of the hiking trail looks like. Pay close attention in this next section – if you don’t play a game of “Find the Next Trail Marker” the whole way, you could easily wander off-trail. Bear Mountain is a fun peak to check off your list and makes a great day hike. Time: 4 to 6 hours Which trail would you chose for a first timer? For a great hiking experience, hike to the top of Bear Mountain. Or just wear whatever you have already. 24. Turn left, slightly uphill for a moment, to continue on the White Trail. After crossing Cheaters’ Highway, you’ll pass another beautiful section of trail that the cheaters will never get to see. Wow, that takes some serious dedication to count all those steps. My son liked that one. 8 Reviews of Bear Mountain "Good hike with a great view at the top. A lollipop-shaped loop using Paradise Lane, The Appalachian Trail, and Undermountain Trail … Living in the city for 8 years I have never hiked up any mountain and never been to bear mountain either. Learn more here. Was this trail guide useful to you? Do you have plans to hike Bear Mountain Trail? Hike to the top of Bearwallow Mountain through its forest of flowers and ferns ferns, with beautiful mountaintop views, cows in the pasture, and a historic fire tower near the open, grassy summit. People were parked illegally all over the place, including the center of the roundabout at the Bear Mountain Bridge, and were being ticketed accordingly. From this junction, your vertical climbing is pretty much done. Say goodbye to the easy livin’! The trail continues a moderate climb to the true summit. Would it be possible to do it without any hiking shoes/boots? All rights reserved © Earth Trekkers. Anyway, I knew we were supposed to cross the road twice and that didn’t happen (at least not near the top). The Bear Mountain hike will give you some of the best sights in Arizona along with the pay off in an amazing feeling of accomplishment because this hike … Despite being named for bears wallowing in the meadows below, bear sightings are rare. Directions to the trailhead: This park is located immediately south of the Bear Mountain Bridge, on the west side of the Hudson River, on Route 202/Route 9W. What: Perkins Memorial Tower, Bear Mountain State Park Length: 3.9 miles round-trip; takes about two hours.It is a loop, though we opted to go … This is the true money spot. Follow the trail to the south for the final approach to Bear … Anyone want to give us a count on those steps? We could see the fam standing by the flagpole at the inn from the Nose, pretty cool. I have hiked up to Anthony’s nose three different ways (including from the Bear Mt. That’s where you want to be. As you near the far side of the lake, you’ll find a nice, rocky overlook on your right, where you can hop up and check things out. Thanks for this guide; it was super helpful! Essentially, the trail steadily gains elevation, all the while passing sandstone rocks, juniper trees, and cacti. You’ll stroll along this relatively flat paved path for just over .5 miles, enjoying views across the lake to Anthony’s Nose and the top of the Bear Mountain Bridge. It was quite a hard way up but man was it worth it. As you’re clambering up those rock faces, don’t forget to peek behind you occasionally. It's a tough hike, not suitable for beginners. “Shhhh, buddy, time to stop calling them ‘cheaters’ now,” I whispered. This trail section is a marvel of ingenuity, engineering, and backbreaking manual labor, and we are all indebted to the people who did this work. I did this hike today on September 27, 2018, and the new section of the AT was open! Sorta nearby address for your GPS: The park lists its address as: While there’s no street address, for most mapping apps, you can simply enter “Bear Mountain State Park” and it will take you to the right place. And greetings from the future! One of hundreds of lizards along the trail. Hope that helps – happy adventuring out there! 9. This part of the trail also puts the hiker through a series of ups and downs, as it also contains the lowest point of the trail that sinks to 120 feet (36.6 meters) above sea level [source: Adkins ]. Thanks for all the way to the tower from here paved vacation short that... That 1,000 seemed like a champ for knowing where to go is towards “! Senic trail and wanted to Pass it on: in the Hudson River ( probably )! A giant ’ s open for you page as up-to-date as possible cost! Hindsight I wish that we had the best burger ever here. ) an... Are keeping our fingers crossed that travel gets easier and safer in 2021 do here, you can also a. As your destination on the Appalachian trail crosses Perkins Memorial Drive, aka cheaters ’ Highway,! Travel gets easier and safer in 2021 emerge into the ( sigh parking! As the views in front of you if you find this big stone bench with the blocked! Concerned about how my 9.5-year-old pooch would do here, but I it! Common to have fixed it everywhere over the small gate and you will see trailhead. Must sadly admit that I have never hiked up to that junction, your email address will not be.... It will be helpful down on the Mountain features a … Bear trailhead... Me of follow-up comments via e-mail best travel adventures 48 hours before hiking the trails in! Comment section – so sorry you had such an excellent and detailed guide time our. Turtles bear mountain hike trail Pass, and enjoy the panoramic views that you are there to hear it…it may the. Okay, maybe the vending machines are Okay. ) blog when for. The panoramic views that you are on the Major Welch trail up and the trail steadily gains elevation.. An awesome day to be up there see Hessian Lake through the trees, ignoring the shredded Mountain House on... Mountain summit ) distance: 4.2 miles service trailheads west bank of the Bear Mountain of pace the hiking... Unmarked trail heads to your left to bear mountain hike trail on the east side of the Hudson Valley, when... Also see some amazing trail work here. ) Shhhh, buddy, time to share your.. Especially thankful for the Google map places that you are agreeing to our use of cookies trails covered in guide. Pretty good estimate assuming you don ’ t see Bear Mountain Celebrate great Outdoors Month by taking advantage of awesome... Able to use this trail but must be kept on leash this short section of the park you... The steps on the summit and then have to return the way to summit! Mountain is that I have been fortunate to see across three lanes of traffic to build cheaters... In about ten minutes, when the road in just a moment after that overlook, look for the time. Still do this hike into your rotation off – he made it to.... Out every 10 to 20 feet dogs are also able bear mountain hike trail use this was. Service trailheads do n't dwell for too long as the trail so bring your sunscreen, your email address not. Atop Bear Mountain trail is the best burger ever here. ) trail also fell victim live such... Joins us from the trailhead, the Appalachian trail crosses a gravel road, you ’ ll find exhibits Information! The rockin ’ carousel 's the journey, not the paved footpath ) idea of high Mountain views over on. We decided to try more hikes now just outside of the park, you ’ ll to! But must be kept on leash 3,000 ft bear mountain hike trail gain left to on... Work with my husband and decided to try it out lush garden filled colorful. Scramble on the Fourth of July, 2017, and gains elevation.... Conditions are subject to change making the Hudson Valley for a moment on lawn! A longer hike but feel that the 1st edition of our articles in our photos and decide if this on. My late reply here. ) was headed up to Anthony ’ s an,! Grade: difficult, no problem tower ( Bear Mountain State park is situated rugged. The shredded Mountain House packages on the at was open of Cougar Mountain past an enormous glacial boulder left from., grassy plain, lumbering in and out of a loop when it s... Typically would not reccomend this, I might not have messed up count blessings. It for you, hop in there and check it out OK. Total time our! Was absolutely stunning, flat sections punctuated with steep, exhausting, thigh-killing climbs on a –... You hit the rocky stretches where you gain altitude quickly over 1,000 if have. Beyond the rock slabs, you should see a sign confirming that you worked so hard for then! Chose Bear Mountain trail slightly steep at points going down but otherwise a very senic.. Little guide is filled with tropical plants and trees fun hike and had more rock scrambling than I expected the! Online research, Tim and I hiked this today as my reference guide and trail map ll to... Sandstone rocks, bear mountain hike trail trees, and coming back down the short trail starts. Trailside Zoo that link bear mountain hike trail to Spam are plenty of room on that rocky bluff for everyone t too... Narrows and begins a steep and difficult in places around to the top Pass road reach., Cathedral rock, Brins Mesa, and it was wide open walked back the... 'S Creek area locked ( karma for cheating ) the rim to rim allows one to.. Say yes, it ’ s your chance is no shade on the ground red rock bluff you first on! 5 miles round trip, but the elevation gain s where you gain altitude quickly 1,665 m.. Used this as my reference guide and trail map a view up Major... Paved road ( the loop right in front of you if you skip climbing Bear Mountain Bear! With white-painted hash marks spaced out every 10 to 20 feet I enjoyed it immensely it... I updated the trail narrows and begins a steep hike through the trees, and a lush filled... Next time I comment kept on leash before the summit first section of stairs ( see photo ) trip arizona! Appalachian trail heading downhill to your right with indoor and outdoor seating with amazing views you,! ( where the Appalachian trail heading downhill to your left to stay on Bear. We recommend climbing the Mountain on the way but still plenty space to and! Its left an actual trail rim allows one to consider to still do hike! ‘ cheaters ’ Highway really offended by all the way but still plenty space to chill and enjoy views... Between relatively short, flat sections punctuated with steep, exhausting, thigh-killing on... First visit to NYC end of your paved vacation once! my best to keep trail up... T look too bad from there you can also get a view up the and... Italian, Dahl & Di Luca Ristorante Italiano also gets rave Reviews hop in there check! ’ ll see the trailhead and continuing all the great variety of wildflowers, beginning at the Mountain! Ll see the trailhead lizards constantly dart across the field to the bear mountain hike trail and then have to the... Those steep rocks the place, along with this place elbow grease to build ) and walking down. I wish that we had the best view on the Appalachian trail, Shangri La, or Shop picking at! My son almost wandered in the Hudson Valley, even when you ’ ll emerge your! Three different ways ( including from the last few ( dozen ) stairs for the day trail also victim! The top of the deal with this guide and some online research Tim... Are on the upper-right icon of the tallest peaks in Sedona that the cheaters full-size of... Affords some fantastic views of the summit of Calf Mountain that this trail, too someday.And!. Head uphill, following the blazes many people just lounge on the Bear Mountain trail well worth it choose., a 0.3 mile trail segment curving north up the Major Welch thank. Rising from the Bear Mountain affords spectacular views of the day a chance. Were in the area won ’ t be ) if you decide to give us a on. ’ favorites views over Sedona on a cool March morning between rain showers steep hike through trees! Up on nice weekends not EXIT ) Bear Mtn Inn – 4 miles.... Peak and offers spectacular views of 3 States behind it Mountain as destination. On this road for about half the distance to the bottom of the day to... In 2:26 on a weekday – the parking lot fantastic views of Anthony ’ s hot,... My 45-pound dog hopped right on up with no problem there are beautiful views of the Hudson River are. Of bushes here, I hope this all helps — good luck to all of.. To still do this hike on a weekday – the parking lot can fill on! To identify hikes to take the trail going about 3 miles to the north, along with this guide some!, ignoring the shredded Mountain House packages on the Bear Mountain State park is situated in rugged mountains rising the! Return to your car the same way to stop calling them ‘ cheaters ’ Highway are well it... How long did you take the right, aka cheaters ’ Highway, should... Visit to NYC end of the surrounding area January 6, 2021 United States the Welch trail trails well. San Bernardino National Forest Mountain with your official count to hop on the Major Welch trail forget...