Hike Reviews

April 18, 2017
5
Awesome Hike!
janete11en
What a pleasure. The very challenging ascent, the gorgeous Hudson River and mountain views and the spectacularly built AT section make this one of the region's very best hikes.
September 18, 2016
0
Sept 2016 Hike
emilymaysmith
<p>My husband and I completed this hike in 2 1/2 hrs. Quite enjoyable. I'd say the first half is a bit strenuous but the trip down is not strenuous at all. Several pretty look-out points. Very popular trail - Lots of people, dogs, children on the trail.</p>
June 13, 2016
0
Great hike!
V_Cioni
<p>Great descriptions above and a pretty well marked trail. A few hiccups on the vertical acesnt where you can't readily see a trail marker but not that big a deal. That 1.5 climb is no joke if your not in shape but me and the 12 year olds I was with had no problems. I wouldn't want to go up or down it if it was wet out though. Most of the rest of the trail is very very well maintained and an easy walk, especially on the back end on the AT trail with the hand hewn stone steps. The tower was nice also and the kids got to go to the top. It still aggrevates me though how some people still insist on littering!&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
June 07, 2016
0
Only two Trail Markers-Major Welch and Appalachian Trails
johnm
<p>The short answer is yes, only two styles of markers for a loop utilizing the Major Welch Trail with the red ring on white markers and the 2"x6" white rectangles for the Appalachian Trail (AT for short). However, at the top of the mountain it can get confusing.</p> <p>For instance, starting behind the Bear Mountain Inn, you could take a right and follow red circles to the mountain top. You will reach a smooth path where the AT will go both directions but the red rings will go with it in the direction that would be better to take and is less confusing.&nbsp;</p> <p>If instead you start at the same place behind the inn and want to do the loop clockwise, follow just the white blazes and at the parking area loop near to the Perkins Tower, you will encounter the red rings along with the AT to continue past the tower. &nbsp;From there continue to follow the trail with both red rings and white blazes until the Major Welch Trail with the Red Rings turns off sharply right and very soon heads down hill and will lead you back to the beginning. I recommend the first option because &nbsp;climbing up the rock outcrops, that can be somewhat challenging, is safer than coming down them.</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12.16px;">A map would be helpful. &nbsp;</span></p>
June 07, 2016
0
So only two trail markers?
V_Cioni
<p>I'm taking this hike I think with two boys and based on what I've read I only need to look for 2 trail markers,&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #000000;">red-circle-on-white-blazed Major Welch Trail and the white App trail? Can you confirm please?&nbsp;</span></p>
September 25, 2015
0
Hike begins at the Bear Mountain Inn
Daniel Chazin
<p>That's where the bus leaves you off.</p>
September 24, 2015
0
Thank you.) AAnd from there i
juliaprincess89
<p>Thank you.) AAnd from there i can start hiking?</p>
September 24, 2015
0
Public transportation to Bear Mountain
Daniel Chazin
<p>You can take the Short Line bus, www.shortlinebus.com, to Bear Mountain.</p>
September 24, 2015
0
transportation
juliaprincess89
<p>Plese advise how to get there by public transportation.</p>
October 03, 2013
0
It is accurate
PVPatrick
<p>Dan Chazin does a fabulous job with his hike descriptions.&nbsp; I would, however, say that the western side of Hessian lake is not relatively&nbsp;level, having 2 short&nbsp;but quite steep rises on the paved path before the left turn up the mountain.</p>
September 13, 2013
0
accurate description
steppenwolf
<p>Hiked this today. The updated description is quite accurate. The trail is well marked and you shouldn't have any problem following it. It took me about 2hrs and 10 mins with a 15 min break at the top -- and I am not in particularly good shape. By the time I got there -- around 4.30 pm on a friday -- Perkins tower was closed to visitors.</p>
October 06, 2012
0
octoberfest escape...
pelagori
<p>have been hiking around here many years now but never made the trip up bear mountain before. picked the wrong day, really, as with the octoberfest in full swing the parking lot was close to full and everything over-run. the crowds on the trail thinned significantly as we turned left into the woods, and this continued as others turned back in the face of the steep climbing. what a great trail! really enjoyed the Major Welch which is a fun climb over sheer rock with many excellent views to the north.</p> <p>spent some time exploring the trails and the tower at the top. those who took the time to make the trails here handicap accessible would be pleased that their effort was worth while; we was a family with a wheelchair-bound kid up at one of the overlooks enjoying the view.</p> <p>We marveled at the effort that has gone into the trail down from scenic drive... a true labor of love.</p> <p>Back at the car, my GPS said we hiked 4.25 miles in around 2:45. great hike!</p>