Toune Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (2x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop

Distance: 2.70 miles

Elevation: 650 feet

Time: 47 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

It's officially my birthday weekend! My 30th birthday weekend! Beside the emotions I was dealing with yesterday (and today), I haven't had much birthday anxiety about the big three-zero, which has been good. Emma was officially in town! We were planning to go skiing at the American Dream Mall in the early afternoon, but I wanted to get a couple loops in at the Tourne "for my health" (actually to further solidify my local legend status). Emma is training for a baby triathalon, so she went for a run and I went for a hike!

It was a cooler 74 degrees with a slight breeze and significantly less humidity. Bugs were a little bothersome at the beginning, but not too bad elsewhere. I made it to the top and back down, and to my surprise the Wildflower Trail entrance was caution-taped off. Not sure if it was closed-closed or closed for a wasp or something like that, but it very much looked like we shouldn't enter (not that I was panning to anyway). I was pretty tired already on my second climb, but I was also going faster than usual so I had enough time to get home and shower. The cicadas and woodpeckers woke up around 8am, and soon enough I was back at the car!

The rest of the day was delightfully fun. We went to the Tick Tock Diner for a 10am breakfast, then did some shopping and drinking at the American Dream before meeting my summer work friend for some skiing from 1-3! We hoped to go down the shore to Donovan's afterwards to get some snow-and-sand, but there were TORRENTIAL downpours while we were skiing, which led to some insane traffic, so we opted to go back to mom's house and then out to Morristown for some live music before heading home to meet Jess and Bae, and then head to Atlantic City in the morning for the birthday party!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,273 feet

Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

My trip to the city yesterday was wonderful and led to some... choice decisions afterward that had me getting home this morning (instead of last night)! It was going to be another dreadfully hot, humid day, so I decided my first course of action would to be to hike out my sins and some pent up emotions. It was 83 degrees out when I arrived at 10:00am and there were just a few other cars in the parking lot. The cicadas ushered me in with their scraming (which I actually love), and I was happy to see (and feel) that overall conditions were better. The air was moving and the bugs were subdued. I passed/crossed paths with three people on my first climb and soon was making my way up for lap two! I was almost run over by a mountain biker flying down the trail, though, which was frustrating. 

I was feeling significantly more tired on the third climb as my watch got stuck at 112bpm again, and then I wrung out my shirt at the top of lap three. I passed a friendly couple on my way down - the man said "Hey! Why aren't you huffing and puffing?!" and the woman said "Did you see any bears?!"

I knew the fourth climb was going to be a push, but I was really needing the endorphins, so I pushed on. The cicadas had mostly calmed down by this point, and I slowly made my way to the top! I saw the friendly couple sitting at the top and the woman waved and said "oh you're going twice, eh?" - I told her two was more than enough :-). 

The bugs had officially woken up for the final push, which was a bummer but was also completely fine. There were no cars in the parking lot when I made my way back, and to my DELIGHT I officially had the Local Legend status for both the climb from the parking lot AND NOW also from the bottom!! Afterwards, I went to Wawa for some lunch, showered, and took a solid nap as I figured out how to handle these pent up emotions.

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.94 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

I'm currently in the liminal space phase of my summer - after work has ended and before the family trip down the shore. I had plans in the afternoon/evening to go into the city to see the One World Trace Center Observatory and then to see a wonderful and ridiculous play called "Ginger Twinsies," which was a spoof on the movie "The Parent Trap." I had a few hours to kill in the morning, so naturally I was back to the Tourne! The parking lot was wonderfully and entirely empty at 8:30am on a Monday! It was 75 degrees out by the high humidity made it feel just miserable. I passed a couple of fawns on my drive in, my shoes were still damp with sweat from yesterday's hike in the water gap, and off I went!

The bugs were already out and about on the yellow dot trail with loud cicadas up in the trees. I felt as if I was swimming through hot soup when I reached the top of my first lap and I found my first human of the day at the bottom. She loudly proclaimed "GOOD MORNING! These bugs are terrible!" - she was correct.

I was pouring sweat by the time I was at the top of round two. I was definitely going to go for three laps, but I could make no promises about a fourth. I was feeling... dreadful on my second descent and eventually passed the same woman again who said "wow, twice, eh?" My watch was stuck at 113bpm for the third climb which was annoying only because I wanted to know truly how much I was dying. I passed the same woman once more time as I neared the top of lap three and she said "Again?1 How many are you going to do?!" I told her three and NO MORE and she said "Don't overdo it. You're awesome!" after noticing how drenched in sweat I was. The "You're awesome" comment helped get me to the top!

I wrung out my shirt and chugged some water at the top of lap three and made the executive decision to not go for a fourth - all I truly wanted was a cold shower. I saw two new people on the final descent, and soon enough I was suffering through the dense bugs and humid air back to my car so I could take my cold shower!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Mt. Tammany via Farview Trial (Worthington State Forest)

Mt. Tammany, Dunnfield Creek, Holly Springs, & AT (Worthington State Forest)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Distance: 8.72 miles

Elevation: 2,215 feet

Time: 3 hours, 27 minutes (3 hours, 13 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

A silly pattern in my hiking this summer is that I simply cannot be bothered to think about where to hike, so I've been very locked into repeats, which is not a bad thing! Naturally, this is mostly the Tourne, which is just a few minutes' drive from my Mom's house, but apparently it also applies to Mt. Tammany, becuase I could not stomach the mental faculties required to hike anything else (keeping in theme, I also flirted with Bear Mountain again, but wanted to limit time-in-car). ANYWAY, that being said, the plan was to do the same extended loop around Mt. Tammany as last Monday!

I was out the door just after 7:00am and drove past a wild backup on I-80 East (thank goodness I was driving west) - apparently a truck spilled over in the early hours of the morning and they had to shut down the interstate. I stopped at the Delaware Water Gap Service Plaza to use the bathroom and get an extra bottle of water (I only brought two, but with the humidity I was thinking one more couldn't hurt!). While sitting in the car, I decided I was feeling adventerous and was going to extend my already-extended hike by driving to the Farview Trail and adding on that trail to form a lollipop-loop (which would add 1.4 miles each way). I drove to Exit 1 off I-80, waited at the long light on Old Mine Road, and just after turned onto the Farview Trail parking area, which was a decently hidden gravel road that opened up to a large parking area for at least 20 cars. Across Old Mine Road is the former Karamac Trail parking area, but it has since been blocked off (making a deducation from maps and trail reports, I'm guessing it's been abandoned due to erosion). 

I saw a bunny at the trailhead as I got ready. Temperatures were in the low 70s but the humidity was other-worldly. It was wonderfully un-buggy, but I put bug spray on anyway. My camera lens immediately fogged up, which ended up being a literal and figuative uphill battle for the rest of the hike. I soon started my hike on the yellow-blazed Farview Trail (which apparently is also known as the Beulahland Trail according to the National Park Service), which entered the woods on a nice footbed with understory on either side. The trail soon split, with the blazes continuing on the right (I'm guessing this is a reroute, likely due to erosion). 

The Farview Trail zig-zagged through ferny woods and soon rejoined the older footpath, which felt like an old road. I was overjoyed with the surprisingly pleasant and easy climb up to the "Not-Kittatinny Ridge" (my name for the ridge the AT follows in Worthington, while the Mt. Tammany Fire Road traverses the main ridge). The trail split again, with both forks continuing parallel to each other as the trail made a very wide turn. I stayed to the right. There were no blazes indicating which way was "correct." There were some slippery slabs here, but they weren't steep so as long as I didn't walk like a fool I was completely fine!

Near an open area where the two forks rejoined, the humidity was so thick you could see the sun rays. My camera lens continued to be a mess, but I had gotten it to a point where I could take somewhat nice photos. The trail flattened out for a bit, which is apparently where all the bugs had been hiding out. I swatted at the bugs while the trail parallelled two parallel rock walls, occasionally running into some spider webs, which increased the futher along I hiked. At least I wouldn't have to swat them down on my return!

There was a walk-through blowdown right at a 1.0 mile mark and the Farview Trail soon traverses the trail's height-of-land, which had a piece of pink flagging tape on a bush. From here, the trail descended slightly past some impressive off-trail spider webs and then barely rose to the terminus with the Appalachian Trail!

I turned right onto the Appalachian Trail and I crossed paths with someone who appeared to be a thru-hiker. I could hear some voices through the woods, eventually passing two other hikers who did not appear to be backpacking. The trail here really is wonderful. A short, moderate, rugged descent followed by wonderful fern-lined walking followed by another, easier moderate descent and then easy walking for the rest of the way. 

I hiked past what looked like the numbers "1800" made out of sticks and rocks, which I assume was to indicate a mileage milestone for the AT, but in my head I'm pretty sure NJ is more than 400 miles from Kathadin, but maybe not? 

A bit further down, I passed a group of backpackers in the same spot that I saw the bear last week. Here, the trail briefly splits into two. The backpackers were on the right fork, which was a narrow footpath. I followed the left fork, which was much wider. I'm guessing the narrower side is a bypass for when the main trail is flooded after rain. From here, I could hear the creek and voices down below, and soon I could see the trail down below, too!

Now following Dunnfield Creek, I was wowed (as always) at the natural beauty, and I do understand why people (break the law and) go swimming here. I continued on until the sound of the creek flowing was slowly replaced with the sound of trucks zooming by on I-80. The massive blowdown near the AT's exit to the parking area had been cleared, and I took a quick bathroom break at the porta potty before emotionally getting ready for the climb!

I was curious how this climb would go after I had the best climb ever last week, and now I was doing it on tired legs in air that was made of soup. I had hardly started phase one of the climb when I was already fighting for my life - this would be a fun one! The air was THICK, and I was cursing the Earth by the time I made it to the views near the end of climb one. Thankfully, the view was wonderful as always! I was comically wet with sweat already, and it was only going to get worse! Only good thing was that the bugs were staying down low. 

I hiked past a family of turkeys as I approached climb two. I heard a few folks ahead of me, but I was hoping to not pass them as I was taking it SLOW. At this point, I was hiking directly into the sun and I was simply ready to pass away. I passed my first people since the AT early on in climb number two and my heart was PUMPING. I was simply not feeling great, but taking it slowly with many standing breaks.

Climb three was more physically sustainable but I was still fighting for any ounce of life I had left in my body. My hands were prunes from the constant inundation of sweat. Just as I thought all hope was lost, I heard voices, and then I was at the top! I visited the open area on the left before descending onto the viewpoint, which was lovely and full of vultures circling below. There were a few friendly people enjoying the view (AND BREEZE!), but I didn't stick around. I quickly retreated back into the shade.

I took standing break at the start of the Pahaquarry Trail and wrung out my shirt, which was somehow holding onto more liquid than all three of my water bottles combined (or at least it seemed...). My watch was comically telling me that I had climbed 10,000 feet, which was horribly incorrect, even if it felt like it. My iPhone was too sweaty to take notes, so I had to switch to using voice-to-text, and once I was feeling marginally better, I continued on!

There was a wonderful breeze on the ridge and it felt significantly cooler, which was just a wonderful treat. I nodded at the fire road, vowing to follow it one day to Sunfish Pond, but that day would not be today. Unfortunately, the descent was not any less rough or rocky, but in reality, it's only the one upper stretch that is rough, everything else is literally fine. I found myself wondering how long a true Kittatinny Traverse would be - following the high point on the ridge via trails from PA to NY (according to AllTrails, somewhere around 45 miles and under 7,000 ft of gain - legally doable in a 24 hour period)!

I slowly descended into a warm, humid, buggy hellscape (that's dramatic, it was fine). The sounds of Dunnfield Creek and people swimming began to fill the air, and then I turned right onto the green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail, which was a little wet at first but soon dried out. The trail is so pretty for the whole segment, but especially the first bit, where the trail gently follows the creek as it flows over mossy rocks and slabs. It even smelled like flowers!

The Dunnfield Creek Trail traversed a more open section where it was dreadfully hot and humid. I hopped over a frog on a super easy creek crossing and then slowly climbed up the stairs to the relocated stretch. I spent a decent amount of time trying to find information on the fire that went through this stretch and when it went through, but I couldn't find anything besides a fire off of Old Mine Road in the past year and a fire along the Red Dot Trail in 2020 - the mystery continues!

I did see a five-lined skink climbing a tree, though! It moved too fast for me to get a photo, but it was an exciting sight! I find it interesting how I didn't even know they existed until this year, but now I've seen three! Afterwords, I was back on the old trailbed with sausage fingers full present and soon I was getting ready to cross Dunnfield Creek. I wanted to dunk my head, but there were so many water bugs that I was quickly dissuaded.

I easily crossed the creek, continued along the trail, crossed another easy stream, and made it to the Holly Spring Trail. I took another short break here for water while I dreaded the next climb. Thankfully, the climb was actually quite easy and I was just being dramatic (what else is new). The woods here are so pretty, but after crossing a little trickle of a stream, the bugs were officially back. They had me hiking faster than I wanted to (and faster than my body allowed me to). 

I cruised (with a high heart rate) past the junction with the Appalachian Trail and back onto the Farview Trail. The bugs were pretty brutal here, but again, at least the woods were pretty! I hiked up and over the height of land and began my gentle descent. I stayed right when the trail split in the slabby area. The slabs were now dry which was a win! 

In the next stretch of trail, I saw a bear! This encounter was much less stressful and only exciting, as the bear was far down in the woods. I got a few photos with my camera but my sweaty fingers couldn't get my phone's camera open in time. It looked smaller, maybe a cub, but there were no other bears nearby (that I know of at least). Soon after, I hit the relocated zig-zag stretch, and then I could see my car!

I hurried myself out of the woods, as the bugs were the most brutal at the end. To my surprise, there were no bugs in the parking lot once I was out of the woods. There was one other car in the parking lot now, a Tesla with a sleeping woman in the passenger seat... I got my end-of-hike chores done, which included wrining out my clothes, putting dry clothes on, and trying my best to cool off. Naturally, the partner of the sleeping woman appeared just as I took my shirt off, but it wasn't an issue. I think he explored the Karamac Trail, since he came in with hiking gear from Old Mine Road. I was DEAD from the humidity, but it was a great loop!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Farview Trail Trailhead.

- Start hike on yellow-blazed Farview Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto white-blazed Appalachian Trail.

- At parking area, turn left onto red-dot-blazed Mt. Tammany Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto red-blazed Holly Spring Trail.

- At terminus, continue straight onto yellow-blazed Farview Trail.

- Return to car.

Map of Worthington State Forest

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,283 feet

Time: 1 hour, 36 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

After a busy few days of work and friends, I was back to the Tourne (again)! I was up WAY too late last night, but still was hiking by 9:10am. Sadly and expectedly, there were lots of cars in the parking lot. It was only 73 degrees out, but it was also dreadfully humid. My watch's GPS was taking too long to connect, so I missed out on getting my segments for my local legend status, but it's fine...

I immediately ran into a (very sweet) child I taught at camp and her entire extended family... learned my lesson about coming here on a Saturday morning! I climbed up to the top and passed a few birch trees that were beginning to yellow? I wonder why they're changing colors so comically early. I had a lovely breeze on the way down followed by a wildly screeching bird, maybe a hawk? There were just a few gnats at the bottom of lap #1 and then a duo of pileated woodpeckers really going at a tree stump on my way up lap #2. I had a scary tummy sound on lap #3, and the bugs finally woke up for lap #4. To my delight, I didn't see many people at all after that first climb, and I was feeling good!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.17 miles

Elevation: 1,266 feet

Time: 1 hour, 43 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

This one was a mental challenge. It truly took all the strength I could muster to not take a nap before this hike, but I knew if I napped I likely wouldn't get a hike in before my camp's concert that night, so I pushed and made it! It was also beautiful out - upper 70s and low humidity. There were lots of squirrels out and about and to my delight I was NOT pouring sweat at the top of lap #1! I had my first drop of sweat fall from my forehead halfway up my second lap, and saw my first person at the top of my second lap. I was moving slow and steady, just enjoying my time in the woods. 

The summer cicadas were buzzing loudly, taking breaks every now and then. I wish I knew how to tell if they were annual cicadas or the 13/17 year ones. Maybe there is? Maybe I'd need a body? Not sure! One bug I did fully identify was the spotted lanternfly, which had taken over a dead branch of a bush. There was a mix of early and late stage nymphs, so thankfully they weren't flying yet. I smacked them with my water bottled in a weak attempt to be a good steward of nature. 

After my soft murder spree, I continued on down, slipping on gravel no less than three times, passing a few more people, and soon I made it to the top of lap #3. I put headphones in at this point, because my energy had been waining but I wanted to hit four laps. I am still on my "Death Becomes Her" kick, so I was quite excited to listen to it for the 3,000th time! The bugs had finally gotten annoying at the bottom of lap #3, and I successfully made it to the top of lap #4 without having to wring out my shirt! I made my way back to my car for a shower, nap, and a concert!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Mt. Tammany, Dunnfield Creek, Holly Springs, & AT (Worthington State Forest)

Mt. Tammany, Dunnfield Creek, Holly Springs, & AT (Worthington State Forest)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 6.01 miles

Elevation: 1,614 feet

Time: 2 hours, 18 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Time to revisit a long-time favorite - Mt. Tammany! I hadn't been to the water gap area in a while, so I was excited to get back out there. I had a dreadfully sleepy 40 minute drive and eventually did stop at the rest area just before the NJ/PA border on I-80 to get some caffeine in me before the hike! The parking lots were medium-full and a few hiking parties were getting started as I slowly got set up. I dilly-dallied a bit on purpose to let them get some distance so we hopefully wouldn't have to interact.

Temps were in the low 80s with delightfully low humidity - this might be the first time in like a decade that I would be climbing this mountain in nice weather! I walked to the Mt. Tammany Trail (red dot) trailhead and noticed they had a "Wasps Ahead" sign - thankfully I never encountered the said wasps! Once in the woods I nearly immediately caught up to a group that was comprised of a couple that would NOT stop holding hands, a man in jeans and no shirt, and a fourth guy who just seemed happy to be there.

Phase 1 of the climb had a lot of people going in either direction, and the climb proper wasn't as awful as I had remembered (blah blah blah I'm in good hiking shape now blah blah). I passed a few people at the first viewpoint and enjoyed seeing paddlers down on the river from the cliffs. Sadly, I did not see a bear in the next flat stretch like I had a couple of summers ago - just many more people. 

I enjoyed the bone-dry trail, specifically the spot that is usually wet just before the second climb, and mentally was comparing this hike to any of the hikes in Franconia Notch - steep, rugged, and near a loud highway!

Climb #2 had me zig-zagging up a rugged rock pile with steep grades, past a few more hiking duos that did not appear to be having a great time. It was, as always, a bit of an ass-kicker, but the trail rewards afterwards with a mellower grade and eventually another walking break. 

Climb #3 was easier, but longer. I passed and crossed paths with many more people, with one dad in particular who simply refused to pull over as I was hiking directly behind him. There was one more walking break and one more (easy) final push, and then, voila! I had arrived!

The viewpoint was delightfully empty. I took a moment to wring out my shirt while a phenomeninal breeze brought me back to life. I was feeling surprisingly good, as this mountain usually beats the life out of me. I think this in part due to hiking in nice weather, but I should also give myself credit for being super consistent this year in my fitness hikes. 

Continuing onto the blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trail, I was flirting with the idea of extending the hike. I've always wanted to follow the fire road out to Sunfish Pond, but that would have added MANY miles and time - something I wasn't overly interested in. Another option would be to turn right onto the Dunnfield Creek trail and follow Holly Spring back to the Appalachian Trail... a decision for later.

The ridge walk was delightful and at the junction with the Mt. Tammany Fire Road, the trail turns left and begins to descent on a wide, dreadfully rocky trail. At least the woods were pretty! I eventually passed a group of 13ish 20-somethings clogging the entire wide trail and sharing a cigarette, which was... a choice! As per usual, the heat and humidity increased the further I descended and I began to mentally prepare for bugs.

Near Dunnfield Creek, I passed a wonderfully unbothered deer about 30 feet off trail simply munching on some vegetation. I could hear people jumping into the creek, and soon enough I was at the green-blazed Dunnfield Creek Trail!

For the first time ever, I turned right! I was feeling great, it was a wonderful day, and I was excited to hike for a bit longer. I hiked on this stretch of trail once a very long time ago, and it was... tumultuous. Tumultuous meaning VERY wet, and I fell into the creek. I was hoping for better hiking today!

The trail immedaitely felt more wild, less traveled, and paralleled the creek which was gently flowering over some mossy slabs. There were endless wine berry bushes along the trail and... the bugs were back, but I was just grateful for an bug-free climb! The canopy above was surprisngly open as the trail gained elevation so gently that I hardly noticed.

Later, the trail veered right onto a relocated section, ascending rock stairs into a old burned area that was hardly noticeable. The Dunnfield Creek Trail traveled high above the creek for a while, occasionally traversing some over grown-in stretches and soon gently descended to rejoin the old trail. I passed a little garter snake that was too quick for a photo. 

Continuing on the old trail cooridoor, I enjoyed walking on what felt like an old road through some beautiful woods. I got excited and nervous as the trail neared the crossing I fell into many, many years ago, and was delighted to see that the water level was literally at least two feet lower than that day! The crossing rocks were fully submerged the day I fell in, and they were exceptionally exposed this round - yay!

The Dunnfield Creek Trail continued to follow Dunnfield Creek, which was now on the right. I saw a human, too! This was the first and only human I'd see outside of the traditional Mt. Tammany loop. There was another easy creek crossing, a big blowdown, and then I was at the junction with the Holly Spring Trail! It was buggier here, but nowhere near as bad as my last few adventures at the Tourne. My heart wanted to continue along the Dunnfield Creek Trail to Sunfish Pond, but it still would add too many miles and minutes.

The Holly Spring Trail turned left, ascended moderately, and the continued to ascend on a wider trail that felt like another old road. The woods here were lovely and open, similar to the woods of Harriman State Park. The trail dipped gently to cross a trickle of a stream and then easily ascended to the trail's height-of-land in more lovely, open woods.

This final "push" led to the terminus and junction with the Appalachian Trail! I was delighted with how lovely that stretch of trail was from the end of Pahaquarry to here. The AT descended easily at first and then a bit more moderately with eroded footing, but soon mellowed out on a lovely fern-lined trail. This was followed by another moderate descent with better footing and then flattened yet again. This easy descent would continue for the rest of the trail!

I passed another wonderfully unbothered deer that was munching away on some plants. My shorts were soaked and saran wrapped with sweat, but I was still grateful for the weather! A very little breeze came through the woods and knocked a limb off of a tree, which felt dramatic, and later on I began to be able to hear swimmers in Dunnfield Creek!

Soon after the trail gently wound around a corner, I turned my head, and realized that I was no more than 10 feet away from a bear! My fight or flight kicked in and I went to run, but I remember every bear safety assembly I went to as a kid said to not do that! I calmed out, walked away, and then began to admire. The bear, who I believe was a female, was super chill. We looked at each other, she munched on some plants, I took some photos, and she eventually followed the AT north as I continued south. A wonderful encounter!

Just afterwards as my adrenaline began to settle I made my way to the terminus of the Dunnfield Creek Trail and I continued my easy descent, now with the creek running down below on the left. There were many folks swimming off of the many herd paths, which is clearly posted as not allowed. I crossed the footbridge near the parking lot and noticed an enormous blowdown on the AT proper, but thankfully it could be bypassed with the parking lot spur path.

Soon enough I was back at the parking lot and taking a "victory lap" around the lot to get my hike's mileage to a solid 6 (it was at 5.94 miles when I got to the parking lot). I loved this hike and how lovely my extension was! I will definitely be repeating this in the future.

A small epilogue...

I decided to take the scenic route home via Old Mine Road and the National Recreation Area. Last time I drove Old Mine Road, the traffic light was out and I had to back up a long distance to allow an RV to pass, but thankfully the light was up and running! I was listening to the "Death Becomes Her" soundtrack as I fought for my car's life while dodging massive potholes. The road condition improved once I entered the National Recreation Area, but only for a few miles. There was one particularly bad washout area after the new pavement ended, and when I passed the abandoned buildings I explored as a teenager I noticed some were beginning to collapse, which was expected but a little sad to see!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Dunnfield Creek parking area.

- Start hike on red-dot/Mt. Tammany Trail.

- At terminus, turn left on blue-blazed Pahaquarry Trail.

- At terminus, turn right onto green-blazed Dunnfield Creek trail.

- At jct., turn left onto red-blazed Holly Spring Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto white-blazed Appalachian Trail.

- Follow Appalachian Trail back to car.

Map of Worthington State Forest

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x - Boonton Side) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x - Boonton Side) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.01 miles

Elevation: 1,253 feet

Time: 1 hour, 29 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

I didn't get to hike yesterday because I had a wonderful excursion to New York City to see Death Becomes Her on Broadway (it was EXCELLENT!), but I am back! Old Boonton Road was closed on the Denville side, which made getting to the Tourne a bit confusing, but I eventually made my way back to the Pocono Road and then the Boulevard to get to the Tourne from the Boonton side. It was another warm, humid day in the 80s. The bugs were immediately annoying, but I was thankful for a breeze.

I had a weird foot pain on the first ascent, but I think that was from walking aaround the city in flip flops all day yesterday. I crossed paths with my first people of the day halfway up lap #2 and I got a bug bite at the bottom of lap #2. I was thinking about going for four laps becuase it would be satisfying and feel good, but I simply did not want to. 

I wrung out my shirt at the top of lap #3, slid on too much gravel on descent #3, and rallied hard for a fourth lap, and succeeded! I wrung out my shirt again up top, passed a few more people, and felt very satisfied and proud of myself for sucking it up. I crossed paths with a woman wearing a bug net at the bottom of lap #4, and I decied she won for the day (I had to run for a few yards to shake off a few flies).

Step-by-Step

- Park on Boonton Side of the Tourne. 

- Turn right onto road.

- Turn left onto access trail.

- Turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, follow access trail back to road and to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.90 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Another hot and dreadfully humid trip up and over the Tourne! It was 85 degrees and I was hiking later in the afternoon than usual (4pm versus 1pm) due to being a good brother and picking up my brothers' tuxedos for a family wedding this upcoming weekend. Right away I was greeted by a close-up red-tailed hawk flying through the woods. The skies were blue overhead which was nice as I was absolutely pouring sweat at the top of my first lap. It was again buggier than usual, which caused my second climb to be faster, which I was not happy about. 

I think some of the gravel was new because my feet were slipping a lot more than usual. I was significantly more tired than yesterday's hike, but I was still shooting for a solid four laps. There were lots of critters out and about, including but not limited to robins, blue jays, chipmunks, squirrels, and countless other birds that I cannot identify with my brain (yet). I passed a dead mole on my third descent and crossed paths with a man running uphill in a polo and cargo shorts while talking on speakerphone. I also crossed paths with the same duo up downhill #1, downhill #2, and uphill #3 - we just giggled by the third time. I wrung out my shirt on the third time up top, passed a deer, and decided to call it at three laps again because Mom said there's pizza at home!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 4.01 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 9 minutes
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

Back to work after a nice weekend. After work I had some lunch and made my way over for some more laps on the Tourne! It was a hot 83-degree afternoon with an awful humidity. Storms were going to be rolling in in the next 30-to-90 minutes, so I figured I'd hike as much as I safely could and then flee when the weather allows. I originally planned to push for the PR on my Strava segment, but I soon passed a deer with new antlers on my first trip up, and taking photos of the deer was much more important than a PR!

I made it to the top, back down, and up again. There were more gnats than usual on my second trip up and the sun was feeling HOT. I found myself beginning to miss the White Mountains, which usually happens at this point of summer, and I also found myself wondering if I'm physically ready to attempt a Presidential Traverse... we'll see. 

Clouds began to roll in on my third trip up and the bugs also increased. I had to wring out my shirt on my third "summit," and decided to call it at three laps again because all the weather apps said storms would begin in 20-ish minutes. Time to go home!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (3x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 3.96 miles

Elevation: 961 feet

Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

A Sunday hike at the Tourne! There were naturally more cars than on a weekday, but it was thankfully not too busy. It was a 78 degree day with clouds hot-horrible humidity, but unfortunately very stagnant air. I left my normal hiking shoes at home by accident as they were drying after my trip up Bear Mountain, so I was stuck hiking in my waterbrook mid-high boots. I crossed paths with a couple people on my first trip up the hill and was rewarded with a little breeze at the top, where another person was chilling. I passed a cardinal on my trip down which was accompanied with a wonderful breeze for most of the descent. My second lap was fully uneventful, and eventually I made it to the top a third time, where I had to wring out my shirt.

I called it at three laps becuase I had plans to meet my mom at the town brewery. I quickly realized that i made the right call, because I passed a comical amount of people essentially swarming onto the trail on my final short ascent back to the car. A drizzle began the second I touched my car, I was drowned in dead gnats, and I had just become the local legened on the parking lot-to-top segment on Strava - a successful trip!

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Bear & West Mtns. via AT, Timp-Torne, & Suffern-Bear Mtn. Trails (Bear Mountain State Park)

Bear & West Mtns. via AT, Timp-Torne, & Suffern-Bear Mtn. Trails (Bear Mountain State Park)

Hike Type: Loop w/ Spur

Distance: 10.58 miles

Elevation: 2,293 feet

Time: 4 hours, 32 minutes (4 hours, 15 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: Bear Mountain Trail Challenge, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge, New York Appalachian Trail

The Hike

I had an open morning, so I decided I'd head up to Bear Mountain State Park and work on my (actual) summer hiking goal - make some progress is connecting the dots with the New York Appalachian Trail (my goal has seem to shifted to getting/maintaining my local legend status at the Tourne, but I still want to make SOME progress). I figured it would be a busy day, so I was up and out at 6:20am, getting breakfast at Wawa at 6:25am, eventually getting to the main Bear Mountain State Park area around 7:15am. The area was a bit confusing to navigate as a first-timer, but I eventually landed out of the way in Lot 2. I didn't have to pay the parking fee due to getting there early (the toll booth said "TOLL BOTH CLOSED," which was a nice surprise. It was in the mid 70s with clouds and ample humidity. There were a group of trail runners also getting ready nearby and one shouted "ALL I REALLY WANNA DO IS GO TO THE ZOO," which made me laugh and also emphasize. 

[7:30am - Start of Hike]

I was soon starting my journey by walking across the state park area - Lot 1 would have made more sense for me, but it was nice to be out of the way. My neck and shoulders were a bit crispy from my solo beach day yesterday, but overall I was feeling good! The Bear Mountain Inn was a really cool building, and I soon landed at the three-way trailhead for the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, Appalachian Trail, and Major Welch Trail.

[7:37am - Appalachian Trail]

This area was well-signed for naviation and for information. I was initially taking photos of the informational signs to transcribe below, but I soon realized that there were simply too many - I ultimately just got the ones that detailed the Appalachian Trail and Bear Mountain State Park:

"WELCOME TO THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL

You are standing on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the most famous hiking trail in the United States - maybe in the world! In 1921, Benton MacKaye, a Massachusetts forester and regional planner, hatched a big idea: a footpath from Maine to Georgia. The Appalachian Trail, he said, would be "a sort of backbone, linking wilderness areas to dwellers in urban areas along the Atlantic Seabord." Today, the Trail runs nearly 2,200 miles along the East Coast range known as the Appalchian Mountains.

BUILT AND MAINTAINED BY VOLUNTEERS

Inspired by MacKaye's vision, hikers and wilderness lovers soon began planning and building the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with the assistance of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. In 1921, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers completed the very first piece of the A.T. here at Bear Mountain. The A.T. is a unit of the National Park System, and is maintained primarily by volunteers who continue to keep the Trail open, safe, and enjoyable for all.

PATHWAY TO BEAUTY

Whether you walk just a short section or hike all the way from Maine to Georgia, the Appalchian Trail connects communities and offers people access to scenic beauty, quiet forests, and wildlife habitat along its entire length. The A.T. also links up with thousands of miles of connecting trails. Here in Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks, you can explore more than 225 miles of trails." from trailside kiosk.

"PRESERVING A NATIONAL LANDMARK

CARING FOR A 2,200-MILE FOOTPATH

Managing a hiking trail that passes through 14 states and an even greater number of communities and parks along its 2,200-mile length is a complex responsibility shared by numerous, regional, and local agencies, as well as volunteer-based non-profit organizations. At the national level, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) is the responsibility of the National Park Service, which oversees and safeguards more than 400 natural and historic places for the public, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the preservation and management of the A.T.

APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) strives to ensure that the Appalachian Trail's "vast natural beauty and priceless cultural heritage can be shared and enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for centuries to come." ATC, founded in 1925, works with federal, state, and local agencies and 31 "maintaining clubs," such as the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, to cooperatively manage the Appalachian Trail. ATC provides education, resources, and inspiration for hikers and trail volunteers from around the world.

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE TRAILS

In 2006, the Bear Mountain Trails Project was established to make Bear Mountain State Park's trails more sustainable for the high level of use they receive. This initiative has been made possible through a cooperative agreement between the National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, and New York-New Jersey Trail Conference." from trailside kioks.

"BEAR MOUNTAIN STATE PARK: A LEGACY OF CONSERVATION

BUILDING NATURE PARKS FOR PEOPLE

Parks preserve and celebreate nature, but they are not entirely natural. Hundreds of workers - led by Major William A. Welch, the first general manager of Harriman-Bear Mountain - built roads, lakes, youth camps, and recreation facilities throughout these two parks. In 1913, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC) formalized a group camp program - the first in teh nation - that introduced thousands of urban children to nature. In 1915, the Bear Mountain Inn opened and served over 100,000 guests in its first year. Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks were a huge success, with hundreds of thousands of visitors arriving year after year, first by steamship from Manhattan and Yonkers, and later by bus and car. Today, 3.5 million people annually visit these parks, which are still managed by PIPC and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation.

BEAR MOUNTAIN: RESCUED JUST IN TIME

The fate of Bear Mountain could have been very different if not for the work of early conservationiists. In 1909, New York State purchased 740 acres on the mountain for the purpose of relocating Sing Sing Prison. The project outraged the environmentally concerned citizens who had helped form the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC), created to preserve land and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, just years earlier. Mary W. Harriman, widow of railroad magnate Edward H. Harriman, offered the state a deal: She would donate $1 million and 10,000 acres of her private estate to PIPC if the state would discontinue work on the prison and provide money for further park expansion. Her parcel became Harriman State Park, while the state land became Bear Mountain State Park, inspiring a parks movement nationally - one where nature would be protected and people of all walks of life would be welcomed." from trailside kiosk.

"BUILDING A PARK FOR GENERATIONS TO ENJOY

CONNECTING PEOPLE TO THE BACKCOUNTRY

The Palisades Interstate Park system is a lasting monument to the conservation movement of the early 20th century. Hiking trails that offer public access to the backcountry of these parks are the work of generations of dedicated volunteers. This public-private trail-building partnership was conceived by Major William A. Welch, the first general manager and chief landscape engineer of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission (PIPC). In 1920, he encouraged volunteers from New York City hiking clubs to cooperatively form the Palisades Interstate Park Trail Conference, now known as the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. Together, they built 100 miles of trails in seven years, including the historic first 20-mile section of the Appalachian Trail, across Bear Mountain and Harriman State Parks. In partnership with PIPC, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers today maintian more than 2,100 miles of hiking trails, including those in Bear Mountain and Harriman.

WHEN A MOUNTAIN IS LOVED TOO MUCH

Early trails tended to go straight up mountains, inviting erosion caused by rain and the impact of thousands of feet. Today, trails are designed to resist these destructive effects and to respect and preserve the environment through which they pass. Protecting our native habitats against foreign plants and insects unknowingly brought in by hikers is another challenge facing conservationists. New collaborations focused on controlling these damaging invasive species and protecting our natural resources continue to the legacy of successful public-private partnerships that have preserved precious wildlife habitats and built and maintained trails for people." from trailside kiosk.

I followed the signature white blazes of the Appalachian Trail into the woods on a ridiculously well-manicured and constructed trail, complete with stone steps, log railings, and cobblestone walkways. The trail was lined in wildflowers and seemingly endless wineberries. I put bug spray on 10ish minutes in (fresh can, too!). The trail began to gain elevation still on the maticulously built path through some nice rocks - the pathway made sense for a very busy park - I was wondering how old this edition of the trail was.

I passed an under-construction junction with a blue-blazed trail as I continued to climb what was now a stairmaster, soon passing a family trio that was not having a great time. The trail alternated climbing with walking breaks, hugging the mountainside. Overall, it was an enjoyable walk, but it just didn't have much of a "woodsy" feeling. I crossed paths with some trail runners coming down the mountain and one pointed at this buddy and told me joking to "get a picture of this guy falling," which was funny. 

I passed a nice overlook toward the Hudson where there was a guy picking up some garbage, and it was at this point where I decided I wouldn't keep counting the people I saw, since it was already over a dozen. 

The Appalachian Trail traversed a neat storm-damaged area - I was wondering if this area was ravaged by the storms that shut the park down a couple summers ago? After the storm-damaged area, there was another nice walking break that led to a nice, open area that continued on a crushed gravel pathway with some tree views. Soon, the Appalachian Trail crossed power lines and something that looked like an access or a service road that connected to Perkins Memorial Drive. 

I saw some standing views over to the Timp and some blueberry bushes that were SO CLOSE to being ripe, or so I thought... Just a few more feet down the trail I got my first handful of wild blueberries! I was genuinely so happy! I truly only eat blueberries when they're free in the woods. I enjoyed another obstructed standing view to the Hudson while gobbling up the berries, also noticing what I assume is remnants of the old path from time to time. 

Once near the top, I enjoyed some different wildflowers and could soon see the Perkins Memorial Tower through the trees, and soon enough, I had summited Bear Mountain!

[8:21am - Bear Mountain Summit]

I was very grateful to be at the summit before the road opened. There were plenty of ledges with views overlooking West/Dunderberg Mountains - I wandered about for a bit looking for a benchmark disc with no luck, oh well. There was fog rolling in over the Hudson now and I could notice lots of drill holes and what looked like old tower footings on these ledges. I circled the closed tower and eventually took a quick snack, water, and wring-out-the-shirt break where the Appalachian Trail reenters the woods.

[8:31am - Appalachian Trail]

From here, the Appalachian Trail continued back into the woods on an accessible trail (which could be bypassed by a shortcut trail). The accessible trail was on a wide crushed gravel path and went right past a large bouder that had some more old fire tower footings and TWO USGS discs! I was thrilled in the nerdiest way!

I continued along, crossing another (or the same) access/service road and traversing what appeared to be a burned area. The Major Welch Trail continued on the right while the Appalachian Trail turned left and soon landed at a foggy overlook with a concrete-and-stone chimney-like footing. The accessible path ended here, and I saw some reptilian or amphibious creature with a shiny blue trail run under a rock? (EDIT: I have discovered through the power of Google that it was a five-lined skink!). 

Now on a narrower, grassier footpath, I could hear some blasting off in the woods - I'm guessing a gun range or a sportsmen's club or something along those lines. Thankfully, I did not encounter any riffraff. The trailbed continued to be well-maintained, but far less manicured than what I had been on all day today (this was not a bad thing). There were some lovely, twisting mountain laurel lining the trails (but not suffocating the trails) and I caught a deer who was only ~30ish feet from the trail!

[8:50am - Appalachian Trail/AT Shortcut lower end]

The Appalachian Trail circled a massive rock and soon came to the lower end of the AT Shortcut; the trail that bypassed the accessible trail.

[8:53am - Major Welch Spur]

Not much further down the trail was a really cool ledge that had a ton of little poles eroded into it. I said "good morning" to a presumable AT thru-hikers sitting on a bench as I turned to follow the faded blue blazes of what I guess is an distant extension of the Major Welch Trail (at least according to the NYSDEC map). The trail rambled over ledges with just a couple small scrambles, eventually terminating at an inconsequential ledge with a nice view over to West Mountain and Jackie Jones Mountain. I wouldn't necessarily recommend this side trip, but I guess it was nice for a solitude. I used this time to wring out my shirt again and fuel myself before easily returning to the pothole ledge, as I decided to call it. I did see a black squirrel, though!

[9:04am - Appalachian Trail]

From the better view back on the Appalachian Trail, I could identify Jackie Jones Mountain, which is always fun to see. The trail traversed an unfortunately overgrown stretch, but that was the only bummer (for now...). I crossed paths with a large but very friendly group of folks, felt some hip pain, and ate some more blueberries!

The AT descended on MANY stone steps, eventually steeply and narrowly winding down between some large boulders. The trail bottomed out on the old access road that I passed while ascending a while ago.

Following the  deteiroating-but-paved access road, there was a steep drop off on the left and some really impressive stone work on the right, which I think serves the purpose of preventing further erosion/sliding on the ledges above - I wonder if this is CCC work? The pavement eventually ends with pleasant views into the woods below, and soon crosses Perkins Memorial Drive.

[9:22am - Appalachian Trail/Perkins Memorial Drive]

After crossing the road, the Appalachian Trail entered the classic open, grassy "Harriman Woods" - as I've begun to call it. The trail rose over a hump and continued to meander as I crossed paths with some more thru hikers - one notable duo was a southern couple who just seemed like the happiest folks in all the land! I crossed paths with another who was picking blueberries, descended on some more tight stairs, past some more thru hikers, and the trail flattened out before crossing the Seven Lakes Drive.

[9:36am - Appalachian Trail/Seven Lakes Drive]

[9:37am - Appalachian Trail/1777W]

After crossing Seven Lakes Drive, the Appalachian Trail continues a few feet before joing the 1777W trail. The two coincide for a few minutes - I was excited to had been here before! The trail wiggled through a mountain laurel tunnel for a bit before the Appalchain Trail turned left, leaving 1777W.

[9:40am - Appalachian Trail]

Back on a new-to-me stretch of trail, a continued along and was soon scared by a guy who camped on the side of the trail and was sitting up in his tent. I had been feeling some hip pain for the past mile-ish, but I noticed if I just don't take MASSIVE steps, I'd be fine. I came across a guy with a Poland Spring water bottle and over-the-ear headphones. We exchanged nods, went our seperate ways, but then he turned around and asked where the parking lot was. I asked him which one, and he had no idea. I told him the nearest one was the 1777W one and directed him there... hopefully that's where he wanted to go and not to Anthony Wayne... I never heard or saw any missing persons report, so I guess he made it back!

[9:48am - Appalachian Trail/Fawn Trail]

Just after my... encounter I landed at the Fawn Trail junction and the Appalachian Trail began to climb, soon entering an area of young birches. I was officially dripping in sweat again! I did a short snack-and-sit at a fantastic viewpoint of Bear Mountain. It was especially fun to see the ledges I was traversing not too long ago. I crossed paths with another hiker here who was playing motivational speeches on his phone...

I continued along, climbing more steadily, questioning my life choices, but soon made it to the junction with the Timp-Torne Trail.

[10:06am - Timp-Torne Trail]

I initially got confused at this junction, because the AT was turning right, but I was pretty sure I had to turn left. I had completely forgotten that I was leaving the AT! I turned left onto the Timp-Torne Trail to start a long stretch of familiar hiking. I passed some nice views down to Anthony Wayne as the sounds of cars on the Palisades Interstate Parkway ushered me along as I waved to Jackie Jones Mountain again!

My shoes were yet again soaked from my sweat as I passed a junction with an orange-blazed trail. I didn't get a photo/timestamp because a group of men were chilling there - at least they told me "you probably want to go left" (they were right!). 

[10:27am - Timp-Torne Trail/Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail]

A few minutes after, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail joined the Timp-Torne Trail as the trail rambled around a rocky-slabby stretch. The trail(s) eventually came up to a confusing cairn that made it look like one of the two trails turned, but no, both trails continued straight. I felt validated by an older man at the same cairn who was also confused. I was rewarded by the world's weakest and shorest breeze that added a solid five minutes back to my life!

[10:35am - Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail]

The trailbed started to get a little grassy near the split of the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail and the Timp-Torne Trail. I was nervous, because I remembered being a little miserable in this upcoming stretch when I hiked it in the spring. Thankfully, I didn't expect any lingering winter conditions. To my absolute dismay, I was about to hike on the most overgrown trail I'd ever been on. 

The grass was so grown-in that I couldn't even see the rocks beneath my feet, which made for some slow hiking and interesting footing challenges. A dislodged rock eventually hit my shin, BUT there were plentiful blueberries, so I guess that's a win? I was nervous about ticks, but I was so sweaty that I'm pretty sure they'd drown upon first bite. 

The Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail turned into a more shaded area and the trail conditions improved... for about a minute before getting bad again. It steeply descended on an eroded footbed before climbing over a knob and getting even grassier. The trail continued to ramble about with another pathetic breeze that still felt good, alternating between steep/eroded and flat/grassy. 

A longer, steeper, awfully eroded pitch tragically felt amazing after pushing through the grass for a while, but not to worry, I was soon back in the grass again! I reminded myself to be grateful because I'd had great conditions all day...

The Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail joined a stream in a familiar area, crossed the stream, and then continued through a grass-free eroded area. I remember this area had a lot of running streams in the spring, but it was mostly dry this time of year. 

After leaving the dried wet area, the trail becomes only slightly grassy again and begins to follow an old road grade, which it left at the Fawn Trail junction to climb up and over a pud. The trail descended to cross a couple of mossy streams and then began to rise again with rough footing to the junction with 1777W - finally!

[11:18am - Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail/1777W]

I took a water and snack break at this junction while wondering if I actually even liked hiking anymore. Just as I got moving again, I almost stepped on a black snack that sent my 6 feet into the air! My camera lens was fogged up due to the thicker humidity in this area, and I was solidly cranky at this point.

I passed a sign for the "Doodletown Walking Tour" along the trail, which I'm sure has an interesting history. 

"WALKING TOUR. Follow this map to the homesteads of the long-gone hamlet of Doodletown. Homes are numbered as they existed in 1957. Those circled in red have a sign-post on the trail with a photo of the house. A book, Doodletown: Hiking Through History in a Vanished Hamlet on the Hudson, by former resident, Elizabeth "Perk" Stalter, is available at the Park Visitor Center on the Palisades Parkway." from trailside sign.

There was a slight breeze and dash of sunlight, attempting to keep me alive. The Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail began to climb again, mostly easily but slowly due to tired legs, past some mid-stage spotted lantern flies (DEATH TO THEM!), past a couple of deer, and soon to Seven Lakes Drive - progress!

[11:36am - Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail/Seven Lakes Drive]

I was OFFICIALLY in the home stretch now! The Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail crossed Seven Lakes Drive onto an access that road that may or may not have connected to the one from before. The sun was HOT at this point in the day, and abundant now that the access road began to follow a power cut. I could hear a comical amount of motorcycles blasting "Low Rider" from the road down below as I climbed up the height-of-land, my final climb of the day!

At the height-of-land, the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail veered right off of the power cut for the final descent, which closely paralleled the power cut with decent footing. I caught a small peek-a-view to the Bear Mountain Bridge from this area, and I could soon hear people down below at the state park!

I began to emotionally prepare for my reentry to society as the trail began to zig-zag down, crossing the power cut many more times. I came across a lone turkey, that was soon joined by another turkey and a BUNCH of babies, which was super fun to watch! I caught a glimpse of another five-lined skink before landing on another access road, where the trail turned left.

According to the lack of track on AllTrails, it looked like that stretch of trail was a relatively recent reroute. I veered right at a split and passed some overgrown stairs before finally exiting the woods and making my way to the trail's official terminus back at the junction with the Appalchain Trail and Major Welch Trail!

[11:57am - End of Trail at Bear Mountain State Park]

All that was left was my final walk through the state park, which was BUSTLING with people, cookouts, and overall energy. I was sweaty, tired, and stinky, which was in stark contrast to the 99% of people who were all around. The main parking lot was completely full, but the lot I parked in was only half full. My sausage fingers were full present, and I made it back to my car at the same time as the trail runners who I started the morning with!

[12:02pm - End of Hike]

There was a long line of cars trying to enter the parking lot at the toll booth, which was collecting payments now. Overall, this was a nice hike, and with a bit of trail maintenance, the whole trip would have been a blast!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Bear Mountain State Park.

- Start hike on Appalachian Trail.

- Follow Appalachian Trail to summit of Bear Mountain.

- Descend Bear Mountain on Appalachian Trail.

- At jct., hike out-and-back on blue-blazed Major Welch Trail to view.

- Continue to descend Bear Mountain on Appalachian Trail.

- Cross Seven Lakes Drive.

- Continue to follow Appalachian Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail.

- Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail joins on right.

- At split, turn left onto yellow-blazed Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail.

- Cross Seven Lakes Drive.

- Follow Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail back to car.

Map of Bear Mountain State Park (NYSDEC)

Photo Album

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Tourne Loop (4x) (Tourne County Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop-Loop-Loop-Loop

Distance: 5.21 miles

Elevation: 1,286 feet

Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2025

The Hike

I had a few days off of hiking after my adventure in the Catskills due to a Wednesday-night wedding back in Boston (I am in New Jersey for July for work, which meant that I spent LOTS of time in the car recenltly). After a BIG nap, I decided it was time to revisit the Tourne and work on getting my local legend status! Temperatures were in the low 80s with HIGH humidity and clouds. My shoes were still a little damp after I left them out to dry after getting soaked by my own sweat post-Catskills, but then a thunderstorm further soaked them after (at least with fresh water?). My goal was just two laps, but I was dreaming of four. 

I started my hike by slapping myself in the face swatting at a gnat - solid start! The wineberries were beginning to open up, but were not ripe yet. I saw a chicken of the woods on the first descent and at the bottom of lap one I saw a fallen-but-cleared limb, likely from the recent thunderstorms.

A mosquito got me on the second ascent and saw my first two people at the top of lap two. I was actually feeling much better than I thought I would! There were many blue jays out on my second descent, along with more mosquitoes. I spent some time getting caught up on texts to distract from itching.

I saw a deer in the woods near the top of lap three and my shirt became Saran Swap at the top of lap three. I caught the same deer running through the woods on the third descent and continued onto my fourht ascent, feeling tired and proud. I was a slimy ball of sweat, but I got to wring out my shirt at the top of lap four. I eventually caught up to someone uniquely skipping down the hill as I passed some new folks at the bottom. The final 1/3 push back to the parking lot was quick and easy, crossing paths with one guy who looked at me, mumbled something, and ended with "Crazy huh?"

Step-by-Step

- Park on Denville Side of the Tourne. 

- Start hike on Yellow-Dot Trail.

- At terminus, turn left onto Yellow Trail.

- Loop the Yellow Trail as many times as needed.

- When done, turn left onto Yellow-Dot Trail and return to car.

Map of Tourne County Park

Photo Album

Twin & Indian Head Mountains via Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail & Devil's Path (Catskill Park)

Twin & Indian Head Mountains via Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail & Devil's Path (Catskill Park)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop w/ Spur

Distance: 8.80 miles

Elevation: 2,382 feet

Time: 4 hours, 22 minutes (3 hours, 56 minutes moving)
Hiking Challenges: Catskill 3500 Club

The Hike

Time for adventure du jour #2! I noticed Twin Mountain and Indian Head Mountain from the road leading to the trailhead and truly they didn't look too horrible (especially compared to Sugarloaf), so I was feeling confident! I had a sandwich and a Celsius and I was feeling MUCH better. My feet were a little sore, but I was not overly worried about that. The access road had a comical (but understandable) amount of "NO PARKING" signs once the pavement ended, and the actual parking area had ample parking (and two porta potties!). I made use of one before getting suited up. I also noticed a blue car that I saw at the Plateau trailhead - how fun! I was dreaming of doing the out-and-back to Twin and then the loop over Indian Head, but was willing to accept just a full out-and-back to both, or even just to Twin - goal was to listen to my body and reasonably push myself.

[9:25am - Devil's Path]

I signed the trail register right at the trailhead and overhead a couple hiking parties talking about doing the full Devil's Path (they're crazy). The beginning of the trail started similar to Tuckerman Ravine - wide, rocky, but completely easy. There was a gently trickling creek, I crossed paths with my first person of the day, and soon came to the junction with the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail!

[9:32am - Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail]

The Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail immediately and easily crossed a creek before beginning a long, easy rise through what felt like a rerouted trail. It was warmer out at 68 degrees, but it tragically felt warmer with the humidity in the air. Naturally, I got another bug in the exact same eye as the trail crossed a multitude of dried out drainages. Somewhere around 0.8 miles, the trail exhibited some impressive cobblestone-like stonework that continued for an impressive amount of time. 

I continued along the luxurious sidewalk as I realized I simply was not gaining much elevation... at all. The bugs were enjoying the airspace around my ears as I neared the 2500ft contour, which is where the trail began to climb more moderately with a few zig-zags.  

After, the trail briefly flattened and then began to CLIMB. It was only about 400 feet of elevation, but it happened quickly and steeply with loose, wobbly footing. I went from wonderfully walking to dreadfully slogging past a nettle grove (I was so tempted to touch one just to see how bad it actually hurt but my survival instincts prevented that, thankfully). 

The trail pivoted from unstable, wobbly rocks to larger, stable rock, which I guess was an improvement? Thankfully, I soon landed in Jimmy Dolan Notch, marked by the Devil's Path/Jimmy Dolan Notch trail junction!

[10:19am - Devil's Path/Jimmy Dolan Notch]

From here, I dropped my pack and followed a herd path straight past the Devil's Path sign and through the rugged and wild Jimmy Dolan Notch (AllTrails had a trail mapped to an overlook). There really wasn't much of a view, BUT the geology was magnificent!

Back at the trail signs, I was living in the land of 1,000 flies and chugged some water (water water this time, not Nuun, and it was glorious). The trail sign listed Twin Mountain as being 1.1 miles away - off I go!

The flies continued to be abundant, but thankfully they were neither swarming nor biting. The trail was initially a little grown-in, but was soon completely fine. Staying on-theme, the trail soon became wildly rugged but geologically magnificent. There was a small breeze (thank goodness) that ushered me along while I admored the flowering clovers (I never realized that clovers flowered until this year). 

There was a small scramble past, around, and through some more cool rocks and I passed humans #2 and #3, both of which were in good spirits (a good sign!). The Devil's Path passed a couple of rock caves and shelters and I caught a tree view toward Indian Head from scramble #3. After rounding a shoulder, the terrain and temperature both cooled off in some denser woods, soon passing a grown-in ledge view to Indian Head.

[10:45am - Devil's Path/Twin Mountain South Peak]

After the grown-in view, the Devil's Path rounded the south peak of Twin Mountain and a short spur path led to a rock that provides views of... trees. It was kind of a neat spot, just being immersed in trees, though! The sun was HOT. 

After the south peak, the trail became wonderful! There was soon a fantastic view to Sugarloaf and a shoulder of Plateau Mountain plus many more distant peaks. It was a shame that it was so hazy out, but that's really just a hazard of hiking in the summertime.

The sun was BAKING me, so I didn't stay to enjoy the view. I passed some blueberry bushes that weren't quite ready for snacking, and then the Devil's Path began to tragically, but easily descend. The descent felt like a long time, but I'm sure it truly wasn't that bad. 

The col was covered in beautiful trees and moss and then the Devil's Path began to steeply climb again (at least the rocks were still really cool...). Thankfully, the climb was short and sweet (even though I thought I was going to die from exhaustion) and soon passed a "no camping" area and then the somehow even more-inconsquential-than-Plateau summit, which had "TWIN" etched into a trail marker.

[11:13am] - Twin Mountain Summit

Right after the boring summit was a nice viewpoint, simialr to the one off of the south summit, but lesser. I enjoyed some pistachios and water (water had truly never tasted so good), wrung the liters of sweat out of my sshirt, and soon began me trip back to Jimmy Dolan Notch.

I passed over the height-of-land and what I think was a summit rock ~5ish feet off trail and then scrambled down back to the col. I dilly-dallied a little too long taking photos, and the flies unfortunately discovered my hair (which I can't imagine smelled very good, but to each their own, I guess...). The re-ascent was moderate at worst with mostly good footing - truly fine. I enjoyed the view from the south peak's ledge with a wonderful, short-lived breeze. I scrambled down the three scrambles, soon landing back in the notch.

[11:38am - Devil's Path/Jimmy Dolan Notch]

Now it was decision time. I had three options: 1) go back to the car from here, 2) go up Indian Head, descend back here, and return to the car, or 3) do the full loop from here. My emotional heart wanted to do the loop, but I was worried about the heat, exhaustion, and my lack-of-abundance of water. I puhed off the decision until later, again. I shoved some more pistachios into my mouth, popped an Advil for my aching shoulder (thanks, Plateau), and started climbing again just as an unhappy couple arrived from the Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail.

I was upset when I realized that I hadn't seen a 3500' Feet sign ONCE on these hikes - maybe they're only for the taller peaks... The Devil's Path was steep, but not as bad as the climb up Twin or even to the notch. I was going slow, but I was glad it was easier. I nearly stepped on a tiny frog, but thankfully saved his life. 

Continuing to climb, I laughed at how soaked my soaks and even shoes now were. I made the decision that I would do the loop as long as my heart rate went back down after my climbing was done. There were tree views behind back to Twin Mountain, and soon the Devil's Path rounded a corner and the shoulder, arriving at a wonderful plateau walk.

[12:00pm - Indian Head Mountain Summit (approx.)]

Somewhere along this ridge walk was the summit of Indian Head Mountain! I had hoped to see a sign, cairn, or etched trail marker, but I truly saw nothing. There was one moment of a grown-in viewpoint, which might have been near the summit. I was also borderline delerious, so I may have missed something. Soon enough, I started descending, past a guy I saw in the parking lot who asked me "is the summit far?" - I just said "uh I don't think so?"

I came to an overgrown ledge view where there was a nice breeze - I took a moment here to wring out my shirt (again). I traversed an unproblematic mud put, which was home to dozens of dragonflies. I was actively trying to hike slow to keep my heart rate low and to hopefully cool my sweating. I caught a baby view over to Overlook Mountain and then descended along the bottom of the cliff wall which was truly more impressive than the view.

I crossed paths with a few folks and then kicked another rock with the same foot I used to painfully kick a rock on Plateau, which was a solid bummer. There was a steep descent to a "no camping" area, where I "enjoyed" feeling a squelch with every step due to my soaked shoes from my sweat. 

[12:21pm - Devil's Path/Overlook]

I descended to a nice overlook that had a view to a knob that I was going to have to hike over (I think). There was a small poster of a "Gone, Not Forogtten!" memorial just before. On a lighter note, from the view I heard a woman go "what the f**k"? and made the mistake of looking down at a near-vertical climb that I would have to soon descent.

The woman and her daughter slowly made thier way up the scramble and then I CAREFULLY made my way down. I passed a BUNCH of grouses in the col - presumably a mom and her babies. Mom grouse went left and babies went right, so a lot bird whining ensued afterward. I passed another grown-in view and climbed up and over the knob (or climbed the knob and passed the view - unsure of the sequence of events) and began to daydream about all the liquids I was going to drink after my hike. 

[12:39pm - Devil's Path/Sherman's Overlook]

I passed a peek-a-view to Plattekill Mountain and then descended along (more) cool rocks, passing another view to Plattekill Mountain and then a very nice view to Kaaterskill High Peak and its surroundings. I shoveled the rest of pistachios, killed my water, and took my first sit of the day (besides in my car) in the shade to mentally prep for my final three miles. I later learned that this viewpoint is "Sherman's Overlook."

I continued to descned along MORE cool rocks (I really appreciated how all the cliffs were like... layered. The trail was shale-y but had mostly stable footing, which was welcomed, as it descended back into a deciduous forest. There was now a constant breeze which kept me alive (and the flies away). I began to pass some more... comical looking hikers, starting with a group of four who looked like they have never hiked a day in their lives before, followed by a man in long-sleeved religious clothing hiking up with only a Poland Spring water bottle and a misting battery-powered fan. 

I received a few bug bits at this point and traversed another unproblematic muddy spot (the soft ground actually felt great), and eventually passed people #2 and #3 that I saw forever ago on my ascent up Twin's south peak. I began to regain strength here as the trail began to flatten out and I picked up my speed. 

[1:13pm - Devil's Path/Overlook Trail]

Now, I'm unsure of specific trail names because NYSDEC doesn't actually post trail names on their signs, but the Devil's Path eventually turned left onto a road grade that is either the Long Path, Overlook Trail, or Overlook Primitive Bicycle Corridor, or likely some combination of all three. This was a short stretch, though, as the Devil's Path turned left again off of the road grade soon after.

[1:15pm - Devil's Path/Overlook Trail]

This final bit of new trail REALLY tested me. The flies were more active than they had been and I was exhausted. I did hit a few flies (hard), which felt GOOD. The trail undulated and crossed many dry stream beds, eventually crossing a really well-built mostly-dry brook. Naturally, I soon stubbed the same toe for a third time, but after planning my own funeral, I could see the trail sign for the Devil's Path/Jimmy Dolan Notch Junction! I could have cried! The trail sign said 0.5 to the car, which was more than I wanted, but I was just happy to be almost done.

[1:41pm - Devil's Path/Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail]

Thankfully, it was only 0.25 miles back to the parking lot. I signed out, and soon, I was done! I was fericuously thirsty, but all I had in the car was old Gatorade Zero Fruit Punch Packets, which I immediately chugged ang gave myself a tummy ache... Make it work! It was now a hot 82 degrees, and I decided I was more than allowed to be bonked. Between the two hikes, I hiked 15.6 miles and 4,419 feet, with my longest break being the 30 mintues between hikes. Well earned!

[1:46pm - End of Hike]

I soon made my way to Stewarts in Haine's Falls where I shopped like a madman. I got water, Gatorade, Stewart's brand lemonade, a Recee's Big Cup, a double cheeseburger, and a slice of pizza. I got my first and only muscle cramp of the day back at the car, which was more than fine, as it was time to refuel! The only dud of my haul was the lemonade - it was way too sour for me - everything else was magnificent.

There were a wild amount of people walking on NY-23A, I guess looking to picnic along Kaaterskill Creek? My adventure drive was not over yet, though! To my horror, I-87 had a solid amount of traffic. I guess I was not the only person going back to the tri-state area on the Sunday after the 4th of July... I was VERY tired at this point, and the slow traffic was NOT helping. I decided I deserved a treat, so I found a Dairy Queen near Poughkeepsie that I was going to visit. I woke up for the next 20 minutes, but to my HORROR, the Dairy Queen was not only closed and boarded up, but it was also graffitied. As a Plan B, I went to McDonalds, but the line for that was around the corner. Plan C was going to Walmart for a walking break and a box of cereal... It wasn't fun, but it got me home safe and sound.

Step-by-Step

- Park at Devil's Path trailhead.

- Start hike on Devil's Path (red).

- At jct., turn right onto Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail (blue).

- At terminus, turn right onto Devil's Path (red).

- At Twin Mountain summit, turn around.

- At jct. with Jimmy Dolan Notch Trail (blue), continue straight on Devil's Path (red).

- Follow Devil's Path up and over Indian Head Mountain and back to car.

Map of Indian Head Wilderness (NYSDEC)

Photo Album