Hike Reviews

August 28, 2013
0
Great Hike - Make Sure You Have the Latest Maps!!
fitzgr
<p>Another great hike, quite a few elevations changes, fairly varied scenery. The yellow trail section was beautiful. I would hike this again.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>BUT, make sure you have the latest Harriman Bear Mountain&nbsp;maps, as of this writing updated 2013 (15th edition)! I had a 13th edition of the maps from 2010, <em>and</em> I had a previous version of this hike description, printed in the summer of 2012 (and left on my desk since then.) Talk about a perfect storm! It turns out that this hike description has been updated in December 2012&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: underline;">and</span> the maps were updated in early 2013! I knew something was wrong somewhere along the Doodletown Bridle Path, passing obvious signs of the deblazed AT, and unable to confidently find my location on the map. It was an interesting day, and I managed fine after about&nbsp;15 minutes&nbsp;of backtracking and checking my direction with a compass.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>So&nbsp;the important lesson to me&nbsp;is&nbsp;getting back to the basics:&nbsp;frequently&nbsp;check for updated maps, and hike descriptions&nbsp;- and always bring a compass.</p>
May 20, 2013
0
Elevation Change
smithg2010
<P>Using the TC map&nbsp;I estimate about 1200 ft elevation <SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">gain</SPAN>&nbsp; (plus tack on&nbsp;another 50-100 ft for&nbsp;trail&nbsp;variances that are too small to&nbsp;appear on the map).&nbsp;&nbsp; If&nbsp;we take into consideration the similar amount of elevation loss (about 1050 ft), the overall elevation <SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline">change</SPAN> appears to be nearly a wash (150ft or so).&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>
May 20, 2013
0
Nice hike
cknipe12
<p>Can anybody tell me what the approximate elevation change is through this hike?</p>
December 21, 2012
0
Hike has been updated
Daniel Chazin
<p>I checked this hike out this past Wednesday and I have revised the description to eliminate the deblazed section of the Fawn Trail that cannot easily be located when hiking in this direction.&nbsp; The hike now follows the Bridle Path down to the 1777W Trail and continues on the A.T. to rejoin the Fawn Trail.&nbsp; The directions can now easily be followed.</p>
June 16, 2012
0
Last miles are not clear at all
<P>We enjoyed the first part of the hike but the Fawn Trail, unblazed AT was a mess.&nbsp; The above directions&nbsp;did not work.&nbsp; We tried three different times to find something, going up and down different trails&nbsp;and eventually got back on the unblazed AT but then were totally unclear on what to do when we hit the Fawn Trail given we had gotten off the originial path.&nbsp; I appreciate these detailed directions but also was none too pleased that we were in effect lost in an area with no one around for quite some time (and because it comes at the end tired as well).</P> <P>&nbsp;</P> <P>Given the lack of markings I would not do this one again.&nbsp; It was also the run amuck day which couldn't be helped but eventually gave us noise to orient our way back to the parking lot.</P>
June 04, 2012
0
Timber Rattlesnake
mikebusm
<p><span style="color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; background-color: #ebf2f8;">Warning to all hikers- On June 3rd&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #ebf2f8; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">I encountered a Yellow Timber Rattlesnake about 4 ft &nbsp;at the edge of the Doodletown Bridle Path curled sitting in the grass. Thank God it made a loud hum, I would have walk into it. I was surprised my dog did not get bit as she went to investigate and was 2' away. The snake was located &nbsp;soon after the &nbsp;yellow-blazed S-BM Trail turns right and the &nbsp;bridle path &nbsp;begins a gradual climb. Be careful and alert, This is a GREAT hike.&nbsp;</span></p>
March 19, 2012
0
Thanks for the update!
jdouglassmith
<p>I knew the Appalachian trail had been relocated in parts, but did not realize the Red Fawn trail had been truncated. &nbsp;Thanks for the info!</p>
March 19, 2012
0
Your hike
Daniel Chazin
<P>The reason you did not find the Appalachian Trail or the Fawn Trail while walking along the Doodletown Bridle Path is that the routes of these trails have recently changed.&nbsp; The A.T. on the east side of West Mountain has been relocated to a new, improved route, which includes part of the former route of the Fawn Trail.&nbsp; The most easterly portion of the Fawn Trail has been deblazed (although the former trail route, a woods road, can still be followed), and the Fawn Trail now begins on the new A.T. route, about 0.3 mile from the Timp-Torne Trail.&nbsp; The hike description has now been updated.</P> <P>You are correct that the southern parking area at Anthony Wayne is usually closed in the winter.&nbsp; You can always park in the northern parking area and walk south to southern parking area.</P>
March 19, 2012
0
Doodletown Bridle Path unmarked; still great hike
jdouglassmith
<p>My girlfriend and I did this hike on 3/17/2012. &nbsp;It was a great hike, but we did run into a couple problems. &nbsp;First, the Doodletown Bridle Path has no markings, which can be disconcerting when you're traveling for a decent distance without any confirmation that you're going the right away. &nbsp;Second, while on the bridle path we never saw the Appalachian trail join from the left, or found the Red Fawn trail. &nbsp;I suspect we unknowingly veered north off the bridle path, but w/o markings, we had no way of knowing. &nbsp;Ultimately, we made it to the 1777 trail. &nbsp;We took that west to the Appalachian trail, and picked up the Red Fawn trail from there. &nbsp;No biggie. &nbsp;We had a great time.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two other minor points:</p> <p>(1) The southern parking lot was closed. &nbsp;It may only be open during summer. &nbsp;However, you can get to the main lot from the Beechy Bottom East road on your way back, so no big deal there.</p> <p>(2) The yellow Suffern-Bear Mountain trail is very rocky at points, and low cut trail shoes didn't cut it for me. I'll definitely be wearing something with more ankle support next time.</p>
August 18, 2011
0
Great Hike
gotosun01
<p>I hiked this trail as written yesterday. Wonderful walk! The West Mountain trail shelter overlooking the Hudson was a definite highlight.</p> <p>Three notes:</p> <p>1. The Horn Hill Mountain Bike Trail has now been marked with large white and blue diamonds that say "Bike Trail." It's no longer blazed in most places along this hike. Easy to follow for sure.</p> <p>2. Probably due in part to all the rain we've had this year, the portion of the yellow-blazed Suffern-BM Trail that traverses the fire burn area has grown pretty thick with scrub, including prickly barberry bushes. Although the trail is still easy to make out, if you're hiking in summer, you might want to consider wearing long pants.&nbsp;</p> <p>3. I think if I were to take this hike again, I might take a left on the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail and follow it all the way back to its intersection with the AT and the bike path for a longer, more scenic loop. Although Beechy Bottom Road and the Bike Trail were fast routes back to the parking lot, they were strictly utilitarian. Taking the blue trail would have meant adding a mile or two plus one big climb, but I think the views would have been worth it. Next time, maybe!</p> <p>Thanks for the hike. Great information, as alway.</p>