Hi friends, welcome back! As you could probably tell from my recent posts, I’ve been itching to get outside and enjoy the spring weather. I’ve been waiting for the ice to melt so that Jon and I could go hiking in the Hudson Valley and the opportunity finally arose last weekend. We rolled out of bed bright and early, grabbed our Starbucks right when they opened at 8, and were in our car and on our way a few minutes later. The hike was about fifty miles and an hour drive north of the city. Luckily when we arrived at 9:15 we found a spot in the small parking lot. This parking lot holds about fifteen cars, so I’d highly recommend coming early or arriving once the morning rush leaves.
I chose the West Mountain Loop Trail in Bear Mountain State Park for our morning adventure. This hike is rated as moderate and covers 6.1 miles and 1,122 feet of elevation. The hikers in the AllTrails app suggested hiking the route counter clockwise, and so far we haven’t been led astray, so Jon and I set off counter clockwise.
About twenty-five minutes into the hike, we came to a fork in the path and realized we were not on the right trail. We were both surprised by this discovery because it didn’t look like we missed a sign or other route, but fortunately we could get back on the correct trail without having to retrace our steps.
Jon and I were back on track by the Northwest Lookout and saw sweeping views of Harriman State Park. I can imagine how beautiful this will look in the fall when all the leaves are changing colors! As you can see from all the bare trees, the spring blooms hadn’t started yet in New York, but the blue skies made up for it.
Every so often there would be a steep part of the trail that would last about two to five minutes, but then it would flatten out so we could catch our breath. The “mountains” in the Hudson Valley aren’t very tall, so the elevation gains are either very gradual or short but steep. There were also a few spots we had to rock climb a bit, and I was very glad it wasn’t icy or wet.
Visibility was excellent on this hike so we could see the city way off in the distance. It’s pretty crazy that’s about fifty miles away!
Jon and I passed by a stone shelter on the trail, but it was occupied with people and professional camping gear so I didn’t look inside. West Mountain Loop Trail shares paths with part of the Appalachian Trail, so I’m guessing they were hiking the much longer and harder A.T.
The way down West Mountain was a bit challenging with the loose rocks and steep decline, but we managed without any slips. Once we got to the bottom, the trail split and luckily our GPS worked because the way back didn’t have any trail markers. There was a clearly defined rock trail that we followed down, but no trail markers of any kind. A few parts of this rock trail were turned into a small stream so we took it slow.
We then got to a relatively flat, paved trail and we started seeing signs about houses that used to be here and realized we had entered “Doodletown”. I’m with you if you’re thinking it sounds like some made up town, but it was a real town created in the 1700s. This was a key area in the Revolutionary War, and the British Army marched down this road on their way to attack Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton. The Palisades Interstate Park Commission purchased the land in the 1960s and it became part of the Bear Mountain State Park that people can now explore. We walked about half a mile through the town before connecting back with our loop.
Jon and I were about six miles into our hike when it started going back uphill after Doodletown. I wasn’t very excited to be going uphill, but I persevered and dreamed about the sushi we would be ordering for dinner. This part of the hike was interesting because the landscape featured evergreen trees and looked quite different from the first part of the hike and Doodletown.
We eventually made it back to the car after clocking in 7.15 miles in three and a half hours. I felt physically exhausted but mentally refreshed by the peace and quiet. I enjoyed this hike, although I think I’d like it better in the fall with all the colors. There weren’t many wow-inducing view points, but I loved being outside and getting some fresh air and steps in. Hiking in the Hudson Valley (nicknamed Hudson Highlands) is more about getting a break from the city than seeing impressive viewpoints. I would say moderate is an accurate rating for this hike because of some rock scrambling and the distance. I’d also agree with going counter clockwise so you don’t start the hike walking through Doodletown before a steep ascent, it’s better to walk through the town when you’ve already expended some energy. I had such a great time hiking this trail, and would definitely come back in the fall to hike it again one day.
So glad you managed to get out in nature for a walk Lyssy. Living in a big city is exciting, but you need a dose of nature from time to time. I imagine this trail gets busy in the late spring and early summer. Fantastic NYC skyline shot from so far away. Thanks for sharing. Allan
A day in nature is definitely needed with our city living. We are lucky to have our car and be able to get out of the city so easily. We saw people every so often, but I imagine this trail gets busy because the state park is so popular. I always get excited the see the NYC skyline, even from so far away.
Those are gorgeous pictures. Sounds like you have a good case of spring fever.
Thank you, Patti! Oh yes the spring fever is real over here 🙂
Cool post! The picture of the city, way cool!!!!!Missy
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
That sky is sooooo blue
I saturated the pictures a tad – but the sky was so blue that day!
Good for you for getting out in the crisp air and taking on this hike. You had good weather and visibility. The photo with the NYC skyline and the area around the park is a great contrast. Strangely perhaps, the photo reminded me of the first view of Emerald City in the Wizard of Oz. 😄
We had such a perfect day to hike! Oh yes I know what you’re talking about. When I was in fifth grade I was in the town’s production of Wizard of Oz and I was a little munchkin and they had the most hideous costumes and green wigs for the Oz scenes haha
I love hiking in Hudson Valley. If you’re looking for a more scenic hike that is doable from NYC, I’d suggest Minnewaska State Park and doing the Gertrude’s Nose trail. It’s a 2 hour drive but so many amazing views! Also there is a waterfall at the park. And lots of other cascades in that area as well with short to barely any hike to get to if you want to just do a waterfall tour.
Thank you for the recommendation! I’ve seen pictures of that hike and it looks awesome. Just need to convince my husband to make the 2 hour drive one day 🙂 I do love waterfalls!
Such gorgeous views along the trail Lyssy and also quite a contrast from being in NYC. I’m also like you, part city girl and part countryside. Like the name Doodletown too!
It’s amazing how different the landscape is only an hour outside the city. It’s nice to get some clean, fresh air every once in a while!
This hike looks amazing! Your photos are always spectacular as well. This is the perfect time for a hike with the refreshing weather!
Thank you! So true and I didn’t have to worry much about getting sunburned 🙂
Great photos ❤️
Thank you!
You welcome 🥰
Despite the lack of leaves, it looks lovely. I can’t believe you could see all the way to NYC!
It was such a perfect day! I couldn’t believe I could see that far. That skyline never gets old to me.
Such an incredible area to hike..great excercise .and amazing views along the trail. Anita
It’s always a great day getting some fresh air and sunshine.
Great walk for a weekend.
It was the perfect escape from the city 🙂
Lovely – I adore the name Doodletown, I love it! And so cool you could see that skyline from so far away 🙂
It is such a cute name! Sounds like sometime in a kids show
Lovely, lovely spring colours. This walk had it all it seems, even some cool history to boot. Doodletown made me smile, I feel like we should have one in Britain. Great photography throughout but those later shots where you can see the skyline are magnificent. Great work Lyssy.
Doodletown does seem like it should be a British town. Thank you – they were all taken with my iPhone this time, I was too lazy to get out my real camera.
Not sure what caught my attention more in the first paragraph – that Starbucks didn’t open until 8:00am or “The hike was about fifty miles…” ha. Favorite photo = the one with the body of water shimmering in the background. The couple of shots of the NYC skyline are cool too. Except for that coffee stirrer thingy 🙂
8am is pretty late for Starbucks. There is one on almost every corner, but that one was the most convenient on the way to the car haha. Can’t imagine hiking 50 miles, I could hardly walk the next day after we inadvertently did 16 last summer. I always love the pictures with water too. I wonder if you could see the coffee stirrer from 100 miles away 🙂
I guess you have not been up Breakneck Ridge yet? That I understand is challenging. Other places with great views but further away are Minnewaska and Lake Mohonk and the Mohonk Preserve.
This looks beautiful! Stuff like this makes me miss the east coast a little bit. That view of the city from the valley is outta this world!!