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 Reporter |
Summary: This makes a great day hike, or a nice, short overnight backpack if you stay at the West Mtn shelter. Catch the trailhead in in parking lot. Trail becomes the white blazed Appalachain Trail (AT), continue south and begin steep climb. Near top, AT joins the blue blazed Timp-Torne Trl and follows ridgeline south, with outstanding views along the way. AT leaves to right, stay on Timp-Torne Trl. It soon passes a shelter with outstanding views of Hudson Valley and NYC in the distance. Trail then descends steeply to a valley. The Timp Torne Trl turns right, stay left on unblazed woods road. Road soon joins the 1777 trail, turn left onto it and pass through Doodletown. Shortly after pavement starts, turn left at intersection onto unpaved and unblazed woods road. Follow to yellow blazed SBM Trl and turn right on it. It soon joins the 1777W, turn left here and follow back to parking. Trailhead: Palisades Interstate Parkway to exit 19 (Just after Anthony Wayne Rec area). East on 7 Lakes/Perkins Memorial Dr. Parking is on right about 1/2 mile after exit. (Lat:41.30408 Lon:-74.0163) Trail Guides for Harriman State Park West Mountain: New York Walk Book by NY/NJ Trail Conference (NY/NJ Trail con) Harriman Trails A Guide & History by William Myles (New York New Jersey Trail Conference) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Palisades Interstate Park Commission (845) 786-2701 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Sniatkowski, who has posted 37 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Mr. Pumpy on 7/17/2008 Let me clear something up here. I hiked the entire AT in 2003 and every single shelter (250+) is open to thru-hikers and over-nighters alike. This is a fact. You are not supposed to camp out there for days, but anyone can stay the night. I walked the walk...so I feel I can talk the talk. No elitism in the woods! 
Reviewed by Mike M. on 7/3/2008 This peak is best looped with Bear mt.(10 mile loop). Great early season workout, view from West toward Bear nice. Rock outcrops on backside of Bear toward West also nice. Can also get to West via Pyngyp Mt. (nice scramble)
Reviewed by MJM on 11/12/2007 Just a word of warning: Do not attempt this hike without a trail map and a map of local roads (a good rule of thumb of course but essential for this hike). Also, the directions to the trail head are incomplete or out-of-date. They should say the parking lot is a 1/2 mile after exit 19, not exit 18. I spent about an hour trying to find the parking lot from exit 18. Also it should be noted that other than the AT part of the hike and some of the Timp-Torne Trl, the trails are not terribly well marked and there are unmarked intersecting trails that make everything confusing. I'm used to hiking around PATC-maintained trails in Shenandoah where things are marked much better. Great hike, but definitely take a map!
Reviewed by TL on 4/15/2007 In response to Tom Polk's review, Tom Polk is obviously a complete and utter tool. In addition to RJB's very accurate info, I would like to add that campers may park overnight anywhere a "P" appears on the NY/NJ Trail Conference or Palisades Interstate Park maps.
Reviewed by RJB on 4/5/2007 In response to Tom Polks' review, all trail shelters in Harriman State Park are open to day/overnight hikers. Furthermore, if the shelter is full you are permitted to camp within 300 ft. of the shelter.Use of a bottled fuel stove is suggested. Camping is only permitted at the trail shelters or at the 2 campsites that he mentions. Also, the directions for parking are correct. You will not be ticketed for parking in this lot overnight. Parking is not permitted along any of the roads in the park.
Reviewed by Ex Ranger on 2/24/2007 The West Mountain Shelter was built in 1928 and predates the AT. Though it is close to the AT and used by AT through hikers it is a Harriman State Park shelter and is available to all users of of the park. That said this hike is a favorite of mine and highly recommended. 
Reviewed by tom polk on 2/24/2007 AT shelters are designated for thru-hikers NOT for day/ overnight hikers ! Also note that that overnight parking that you given in these directions is illegal , you may not get towed but you will be ticketed . Harriman state park does have two public campsites if you do wish to stay overnight in the park legally . Park info (845) 786-2701 . Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Rockland County Hiking, Rockland County Trails, Rockland County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||