From the parking area, walk back across the bridge. On the left (west) side of the road, turn left at a sign for "Doodletown" and proceed uphill on an old road with crumbling pavement. This road, known as Doodletown Road, led into the hamlet of Doodletown, which was abandoned in 1965. Small historic markers along the way identify various former buildings and their occupants.
The road makes a sharp left turn and continues uphill. Near the top of the hill, the 1777E Trail comes in from the right and joins the road. Continue ahead along the road, now following the 1777E blazes. After skirting the Doodletown Reservoir, you'll reach a T-intersection, where you should turn right.
A short distance beyond, you'll reach another junction, where a sign to the right shows the site of the Montville Community Church. Here, you should turn left onto Pleasant Valley Road, following the sign to the Herbert Cemetery. Along the right side of the road, old stone walls and steps mark several abandoned homesites.
Soon, the 1777W Trail leaves to the right and the road to the Herbert Cemetery goes off to the left, but you should continue ahead on Pleasant Valley Road. After passing the site of the Thomas home to the right, you'll reach an intersection with the Doodletown Bridle Path (at this writing, it is marked by a sign "Vandals have removed the ‘you are here' map").
Turn right onto the Bridle Path, which you will be following for the rest of the hike. Although unmarked, this wide woods road is easily followed, and it is relatively level for the next half mile. After it crosses the Doodlekill (a small stream) on rocks, the yellow-blazed Suffern-Bear Mountain (S-BM) Trail joins from the left.
The Bridle Path now enters a narrow valley. Soon, the S-BM Trail leaves to the right, but you should continue to follow the Bridle Path, which goes through an area of mountain laurel and begins to climb, with a stream down below on the right.
After turning sharply right near the top of the climb, the Bridle Path heads downhill on a rougher road. At the bottom of the hill, you'll come to T-intersection. Here, the Bridle Path turns right and is joined by the 1777W Trail on a level route, with a stream to the right. In half a mile, the 1777W blazes continue ahead, but follow the Bridle Path as it curves left, now again joined by the yellow blazes of the S-BM Trail.
In another 200 feet, bear left, continuing to follow the yellow S-BM blazes along the Bridle Path (do not follow the road ahead). The Bridle Path now descends. At a curve to the right, the S-BM blazes leave to the left, but you should continue ahead on the Bridle Path, now once again unmarked.
In three-quarters of a mile, you'll come to an intersection marked by a Doodletown map. Continue ahead, and you'll soon pass a viewpoint to the right over Dunderberg Mountain and the Hudson River, and the First June Cemetery to the left. When you reach a intersection with a large "2," turn right and descend on the 1777E Trail. At the following intersection, bear sharply left onto Doodletown Road, and retrace your steps back to the parking area where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 01/14/2010
This hike follows pleasant woods roads through the abandoned hamlet of Doodletown and loops back on the Doodletown Bridle Path.
From the parking area, walk back across the bridge. On the left (west) side of the road, turn left at a sign for "Doodletown" and proceed uphill on an old road with crumbling pavement. This road, known as Doodletown Road, led into the hamlet of Doodletown, which was abandoned in 1965. Small historic markers along the way identify various former buildings and their occupants.
The road...
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Take the Palisades Interstate Parkway to its terminus at the Bear Mountain Circle. Continue south on Route 9W for 1.3 miles to a small hikers' trailhead parking area on the left side of the road, just past a concrete bridge over a stream.
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August 17, 2018
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