bear mountain new york

[ric2hunt]

Going to be doing some hiking near Bear Mountain, NY, next week. Approximately 40 miles starting at Bellvale, NY and ending at Peekskill What should I not miss on this hike. Best sites, views, etc...

[Manwich]

Don't miss the cars going 40mph down that road.

[tiptoe]

West Mountain shelter is .6 miles off the AT in Bear Mountain State Park, but if weather conditions are right you get a great view of the new york city skyline. I was there in the summer a couple of years ago and watched a spectacular lightning storm over the city.

[sasquatch2014]

West Mountain shelter is .6 miles off the AT in Bear Mountain State Park, but if weather conditions are right you get a great view of the new york city skyline. I was there in the summer a couple of years ago and watched a spectacular lightning storm over the city.

Depending on when you do it you may have a "blue Moon" and that sight over the city would be worth the sometimes windy conditions that can exist at West Mountain shelter. I like the Fingerboard Shelter so if you get a chance good stopping point for lunch. Also watch out for the old mine sites south of Fingerboard as these are deep and full of water with the current cold they will be iced over but I wouldn't go walking on them. They should be easy enough to see. Great area for a winter hike you will be mostly by yourself.

[Fussymary]

Not sure if this takes you past the tower on Perkins, but if its open take the time to climb it and look at the historical pictures. And sit on the nice bench by the tower. A nice place to have lunch.

[ric2hunt]

Has anyone stayed at the Bear Mountain Bridge Inn? Recommend or no go?

[sofaking]

i think its closed.

[LIhikers]

Bear Mountain Inn has been closed, for renovations supposedly, for years and as far as I know there's no reopening date in sight.

[sasquatch2014]

my understanding is it is still closed but there is another lodge in the park where you can stay if you wanted to. If it were me I'd stay over in Ft Montgomery where I can do things that I would need to do on a day off the trail.

[Tinker]

West Mountain shelter is .6 miles off the AT in Bear Mountain State Park, but if weather conditions are right you get a great view of the new york city skyline. I was there in the summer a couple of years ago and watched a spectacular lightning storm over the city.

Great shelter. Bring your own water - it's dry (unless you feel like walking downhill .6 mi. and back up.
I always enjoy looking over a city, being thankful that I'm in the woods.

I should have visited the Greymoor friary. I stayed at the ballfield pavilion and left early the next day.

[Feral Bill]

While passing through Harriman, there's no law that says you can't explore around a bit. Get a park map and enjoy some great places throughout the park. Stockbridge and Bald Rocks shelters are in nice areas. You could spend a week or more if you want.

[The_Saint]

Bear Mountain can be a "bear" if you haven't hiked in a while especially with snow on it.

[sasquatch2014]

Bear isn't as bad as the next two to the south both Black Mt and West Mt can be pretty nasty in bad weather.

[takethisbread]

When you going? Im hiking that area next weekend. I finished off a few weeks back at Arden Valley Rd, and I was considering doing one starting there or starting at Hoyt rd and going south to Bear mtn.

[Yahtzee]

Bear isn't as bad as the next two to the south both Black Mt and West Mt can be pretty nasty in bad weather.

Word. Those three in a succession will bite ya. But typically it is hotter than hell when I go thru there, so maybe it's wouldn't be so bad if the ground was snow-free and the weather was chillier.

[sasquatch2014]

When you going? Im hiking that area next weekend. I finished off a few weeks back at Arden Valley Rd, and I was considering doing one starting there or starting at Hoyt rd and going south to Bear mtn.

If you end up doing Hoyt give me a shout and I'll see what my schedule looks like i live up by there I need to get out and hike some. Holidays had way too much food.

[eric j]

Going to be doing some hiking near Bear Mountain, NY, next week. Approximately 40 miles starting at Bellvale, NY and ending at Peekskill What should I not miss on this hike. Best sites, views, etc...

Rick, Something like 250 miles of trails/old roads in Harriman get the NYNJTC maps 118 and 119, lots of history, ruins, mines,views.

The Bear mtn. lodge is still closed, but you can stay at the overlook 100.00? or there are some places up 9w as you head toward West Point

If you are hiking down to Peekskill, I would suggest going up Anthonys nose on the east side of the hudson and coming down the camp smith trail (blue blaze) I think, exit the old toll house. peekskill is 1 mile. Bear mtn bridge rd. is a dangerous place to be on foot, people drive like **** there.

West Mtn shelter is also one of my favs. if you come up from beechy bottom (water) on the AT its .5 or so miles once on the ridge heading south (blue I think) then backtrack and walk the ridge for a few miles (great views) at the north end of west mtn,. is also one of the nicest views (campsite) in the park, then down to 7 lakes dr. and back up bear mtn. or follow the drive to the lodge.

Or from west mtn shelter you can go down into the valley and through Doodletown (extinct town) and back towards the Inn, lodging and the Bridge

[YoungMoose]

I just went up on west mountian and it was easy to climb up it from the anthony wayne section area today that was easy but going down it took alot of time and alot of sliding.

[mykl]

I plan on going up to Bear Mountain for a few nights soon. Is parking overnight at Anthony Wayne legal/safe?

[sasquatch2014]

I plan on going up to Bear Mountain for a few nights soon. Is parking overnight at Anthony Wayne legal/safe?

If you can work it out park in the big parking lot at the base of Bear and just check in with the rangers office at the south end of the lot and you can leave your car there with all the rangers cars good safe spot. Haven't had issues at Elk Pen area either the few times I have parked there.