This is the hike of the week for 7/30/2009
as described on the NYNJTC site.
The first hike we ever did in the wonderful Harriman State Park was back in July of 2005, and it was partly along the ridge of West Mountain. Today we returned to West Mountain, from a different trail head and (for a good part) on different trails. This is easily one of the single best hikes in Harriman for sweeping views. I didn't know where to point my camera there were so many awesome views, in nearly all directions, though never at the same time. The fall foliage is still hanging on in some sections, but most of the leaves are off the trees. It's been windy and rainy lately and the leaves just couldn't hang on much longer. Total distance hiked today was exactly 5 miles in approximately 3.5 hours -- there was quite a bit of climbing! (Click on the thumbnail to bring up a bigger image in a pop-up window)
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Anthony Wayne parking area |
On the Fawn Trail |
Climbing to the ridge |
Perkins Memorial tower on Bear Mountain |
On West Mountain ridge [photo by Laura] |
Perkins tower ... |
... on Bear Mountain |
View west |
Anthony Wayne parking area |
More climbing |
View west from ridge |
Low-flying turkey vulture |
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And more climbing |
Bear Mountain |
View west |
View east of the Hudson |
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Laura and the Hudson |
View north |
View west |
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Hikers meeting in the lot |
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View west |
Steep descent |
Little lemon squeezer |
View to Bear Mountain |
Palisades Interstate Parkway |
Saplings |
Ice! |
Climbing again |
View west |
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The Hudson |
View of Iona Island |
Bear Mountain |
Young stumps |
Anthony Wayne parking lot |
Golden rod |
Descending |
View south |
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Fall colors |
Dan taking photos [photo by Laura] |
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Glacial errata |
[photo by Laura] |
Vulture soaring |
Fall foliage |
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Dan & the Hudson [photo by Laura] |
Top of Bear Mountain Bridge |
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Hiking along the ridge |
View south |
AT trail sign |
View west |
Fall colors |
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Descending |
Suffern-Bear Mountain trail |
A very rocky descent |
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[photo by Laura] |
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Gorgeous colors on ridge |
The Hudson from Cat's Elbow |
Group of vultures |
The Hudson ... |
... from Cat's Elbow |
Look at that color! |
On Cat's Elbow |
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View south |
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View east |
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View west |
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Beechy Bottom Road |
A leafy path |
Foliage on Beechy Bottom Road |
Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |