Big Stairs Loop – Palisades Interstate Park

October 30, 2022 – Closter, NJ

Issue: Strenuous

Size: Roughly 4.6 miles

Max elevation: 535 ft. – whole elevation achieve roughly 841 ft.

Route kind: Circuit

Map: Hudson Palisades Trails Map #109 – Net Map – Palisades Interstate Park

Trailhead parking: State Line Lookout, Closter, NJ 07624

Parking Charges: Weekend Charges: $2.50/hr. – Weekday Charges: $1.50/hr. (First hour is free at State Line Lookout)

Restrooms on web site

Please observe: Don’t try this hike if is moist or icy outdoors.

Particulars on Big Stairs hikes through completely different routes:

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Overview:

This hike explores the northern finish of the New Jersey Part of Palisades Interstate Park. It incorporates a variety of scenic options and, for almost your entire distance, you’re far-off from the noise of the Parkway. It’s also probably the most troublesome hike within the park, because it includes not solely steep climbs and descents on uneven rock steps, but in addition almost a mile of strolling close to the shore of the river on jumbled rocks.

The picture beneath exhibits the jumbled rocks and boulders beneath the State Line Lookout that contains the “Big Stairs.”

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Trails Overview:

This hike incorporates segments of the Lengthy Path, the Shore Path and an deserted part of Previous Route 9W. The marked trails are effectively blazed and for probably the most half, simple to comply with. The mile lengthy part of jumbled rocks and boulders alongside the Shore Path known as “The Big Stairs,” has some recent white blazes, making it a lot simpler to comply with than the earlier instances that I visited. The hot button is to maintain an eye fixed out for the subsequent white blaze earlier than you progress ahead.

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Hike Overview:

I’ve executed this hike on two separate events, utilizing barely completely different routes in July of 2016 and 2017. The rocks can get awfully sizzling in the course of the summer time months and in a single space you’re completely uncovered to the weather. This time I waited for slightly cooler climate on the tail finish of the Fall foliage season. Though we received an early begin (8am), it wasn’t lengthy till we encountered hordes of individuals alongside the Big Stairs part. For probably the most half, nearly everybody that we encountered had been getting into the wrong way. My reasoning for doing this hike counterclockwise is that when the Big Stairs part is accomplished, Peanut Leap Falls and the ruins of an Italian Backyard makes for a great place to chill out earlier than tackling the steep climb again up. I’ve but to see Peanut Leap Falls truly flowing, however there are quite a few locations to take a seat in that space for a effectively wanted relaxation.

This hike was executed counterclockwise from the State Line Lookout.

Because the elevation graph signifies, there’s a steep descent to river degree at first of the hike and a steep climb again as much as the highest of the cliffs close to the tip of the hike.

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The Hike:

This hike begins within the parking space on the State Line Lookout. Proceed forward in the direction of the Palisades cliffs to get some instant views up and down the Hudson River. For those who get fortunate, you might even see a Peregrine Falcon or two perched on the cliff. If you end up executed trying out the views, head south alongside the deserted part of Previous Route 9W, with the rock wall in your left. In about 600 toes, the previous part of Route 9W reaches the doorway street to the State Line Lookout. Proceed rigorously forward alongside the shoulder of the street. In about one other 400 yards, flip left on the aqua-blazed Lengthy Path, which heads south, parallel to the cliffs.

There’s a good viewpoint over the river simply to the left of the path (use warning right here, as there’s a steep dropoff). Simply past, the path begins a steep descent on rock steps, constructed by the park within the early years of the 20th century. Use excessive warning when descending these steps, as they’re considerably uneven. The steps will be significantly hazardous when moist or coated with leaves.

After crossing a small stream on a wood footbridge, you’ll attain a path junction. The Lengthy Path turns proper, however it’s best to bear left, now following the blue/white-blazed Forest View Path. An indication signifies that it’s 0.3 mile from this level to the Shore Path, however the distance will most likely appear for much longer. The steep descent continues, first on extra rock steps, then on switchbacks, a few of that are effectively graded, however others are rocky and uneven.

You’ll lastly attain the underside of the descent, marked by a big boulder. Right here it’s best to flip left and head north on the white-blazed Shore Path. Quickly, you’ll emerge onto an open space coated with vines.

A brief distance past, you’ll attain a discipline of jumbled boulders. That is the start of the Big Stairs, probably the most difficult part of the hike. After taking within the panoramic view to the north alongside the river and over the placing Palisades cliffs, bear left and comply with the white blazes as they start to climb over the rocks, paying cautious consideration to the white paint blazes.

For the subsequent half mile, the path follows a rocky path about 100 vertical toes above the river. You’ll have to make use of care in deciding the place to take every step. In about half an hour, the path emerges onto an enormous talus discipline, made up of huge boulders which have fallen down from the cliffs above. That is the location of the large rockslide that occurred at 7:28 p.m. on Saturday, Might 12, 2012, during which a big part of the cliff face broke off and tumbled right down to the river. There are panoramic views throughout the river, and the lighter-faced rock column on the cliff signifies the place the rocks fell from.

On the finish of the talus discipline, the path reenters the woods. In about ten minutes, it comes out on one other talus slope after which, after briefly passing via a wooded part, it emerges onto a 3rd talus slope, marked by an enormous tree stump. Once more, you’re afforded a panoramic view over the river, and also you’ll need to cease to relaxation from this troublesome part of the hike and benefit from the view.

The path now descends and ultimately comes near river degree. You’ll encounter yet one more rocky part, however this one is far simpler to barter. After a couple of mile of strolling on a comparatively clean footpath alongside the river, you’ll undergo a gate in a rusted chain-link fence. A brief distance past, you’ll attain the Peanut Leap Cascade. Adjoining to this waterfall, which is actually spectacular after heavy rains, are the ruins of the Italian Backyard, constructed about 1900 by the sculptress Mary Lawrence-Tonetti, whose household owned an property at close by Sneden’s Touchdown.

From river degree again to the highest of the cliffs, you’ll achieve about 500 toes in elevation. Relaxation up right here, earlier than you sort out the steep climb.

After spending a while at this fascinating and delightful spot, comply with the white-blazed Shore Path because it turns left, away from the river, and climbs on wood steps and switchbacks. It parallels the stream resulting in the waterfall for a brief distance and shortly ends at a junction with the aqua-blazed Lengthy Path.

There are a number of ways in which one can go right here. We selected to proceed straight onto the Lengthy Path till we reached the northern finish of the deserted part of Route 9W.

Flip left onto Previous Route 9W (a large concrete street), and comply with it again to the State Line Lookout, the place the hike started.

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Overview:

I’ve executed this hike now three separate instances with slight variations of the route. Every time it has been difficult, however a number of enjoyable. It is a very fashionable hike and is greatest executed on a weekday to keep away from the crowds.

Professionals:

Big Stairs rock scramble, Hudson River views, Palisades cliffs, ruins, waterfall.

Cons:

Quite a lot of Poison Ivy alongside the Shore Path.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

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