Hiked Bear Mountain over this past weekend. I've hiked Bear mountain quite a few times but this was the first when the trails were completely re-routed on both sides.
Stairs everywhere... I mean everywhere. I understand why they did the stairs.... I still dont particularly like them.
The re-route on the south west side makes for a much more scenic walk. Really great views of the peaks and valleys of Harriman. It also takes you off the original route of walking down perkins drive for like a 1/4 mile so you dont really do any road walking... the trail leads you directly on your way to west mountain.
However there was a price to pay for that re-route.... zero water sources on Bear Mountain unless you consider going to the Bear Mountain Inn bathrooms. There used to be 2-3 water sources on your way to perkins drive now you're SOL until you get to west mountain.
All in all I liked it for the scenery. Definitely get updated maps though.