July 17, 2022 – Nyack, NY
Problem: Average to Strenuous
Size: Roughly 3.7 miles
Max elevation: 722 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 910 ft.
Route sort: Out and again
Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Hudson Palisades Trails Map #110 (2018)
Trailhead parking: 698 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960
Charge: $10.00 per car Day Use (in season) – Empire Pass Accepted
Ample parking is obtainable – Restrooms on website
The park is open year-round, from 8am to nightfall.
Overview:
This hike covers the lately relocated Higher Nyack Path, which begins at river degree in Nyack Seaside State Park and ends at a junction with the Lengthy Path on the best way to the summit of Hook Mountain. I did the Higher Nyack Path as a part of an extended loop in 2016. At the moment, the path included a highway stroll. I needed to replace the 2016 hike, so I hiked the Higher Nyack Path, and continued on to the summit on the Lengthy Path. I then retraced my steps again to Nyack Seaside State Park.
The previous Higher Nyack path, whereas helpful, ran by means of some moist darkish areas and in addition included a highway stroll. Because of the work of Path Convention volunteers, the expertise is now much more fulfilling. The Lengthy Distance Trails Crew put in 351 stone steps, constructed 2,537 sq. toes of crib wall, and constructed 3,775 toes of sidehilled path. Building started in 2019. Although lower than a mile in size, the technical work required to construct a secure, sustainable route by means of such difficult circumstances took nearly 2 years to finish.
Historical past:
The brand new and improved Higher Nyack Path, opened to the general public in June 2021 and was a number of years within the making. Its creation was made doable by the acquisition of 30 acres of undeveloped land from the Marydell Religion and Life Middle, adjoining to Nyack Seaside and Hook Mountain state parks. The sloping property, which the spiritual order acquired in 1924, contains dense woodland and meadow stretching all the way down to the Hudson River. The Belief for Public Land acquired the property, that was coveted for residential improvement, in 2017 for $3.1 million. The Belief for Public Land, a nonprofit conservation group, conveyed the land to the State Workplace of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
Quickly after the sale, work on the brand new path started: A route for the path was scouted, mapped, and proposed for approval to the Palisades Interstate Park Fee, who assumed administration of the land as soon as it was included into Hook Mountain State Park. The path was constructed alongside and thru a steep slope of boulders that rolled down Hook Mountain.
Path Overview:
The white-blazed Higher Nyack Path, though simply barely longer than a mile, positive factors about 555 toes of elevation from the Hudson River to its terminus at a junction with the Lengthy Path. It’s effectively blazed and simple to comply with. The path begins at Nyack Seaside State Park. The primary part follows what was known as the Zig Zag Path, that leads uphill through switchbacks to the plateau. The Zig Zag Path was in all probability as soon as constructed to take folks, horses, and gear to the plateau, which was the working face of a significant quarry that operated on the flip of the nineteenth century. The path starting, solely steps from the bathhouse and parking zone of Nyack Seaside State park, is marked with an indication and triple white blazes.
The path crosses an asphalt highway that results in the plateau after which enters the woods on the brand new part of path alongside the mountain base. The hiker is quickly absorbed within the distinctive talus slope ecosystem shaped by giant boulders which have fallen from the uncovered vertical face of the Hook. The trail is shady in summer time below comparatively mature hardwoods. The path winds up, down, and across the base and one shortly learns to understand the path crew’s work. With out their steps, stairs, bridges, and packed earth, the best way can be practically impassable.
Hike Overview:
This hike follows the white-blazed Higher Nyack Path to its terminus at a junction with the aqua-blazed Lengthy Path. From there, the hike continues on the Lengthy Path to the summit of Hook Mountain that gives panoramic views over the Decrease Hudson River Valley and the Tappan Zee Bridge.
To proceed on to finish the 6-mile loop, you possibly can comply with this information to the summit of Hook Mountain and comply with this GUIDE the remainder of the best way.
It is a simple out-and-back hike, starting and ending at Nyack Seaside State Park. The path map is from 2018 and doesn’t have the relocated part of the Higher Nyack Path.
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
As you possibly can see from the elevation graph, it’s a steep climb to the summit, gaining greater than 900 toes of elevation.
elevation profile – Higher Nyack Path
The Hike:
Proceed to a kiosk on the northern finish of the parking space and proceed north for 250 toes on the Hook Mountain Bike Path (often known as the River Path). Right here, an indication in a grassy space and three white blazes on the left mark the beginning of the Higher Nyack Path. This white-blazed path ascends on a dust highway, passing concrete foundations on the left that afford a view of the Hudson River, and continues uphill on switchbacks. After a degree part, it joins a paved highway for 175 toes, then turns proper, climbs rock steps and continues alongside the facet of Hook Mountain. This magnificent path part, which weaves by means of big rocks on the base of a talus slope, was constructed by the all-volunteer Lengthy Distance Trails Crew of the New York-New Jersey Path Convention.
Hook Mountain Bike Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Hook Mountain Bike Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
flip left on Higher Nyack Path
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Tappan Zee Bridge from the Higher Nyack Path
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
After a few mile, the path crosses a stream on big boulders, then begins a gradual climb. The final part of the climb is totally on rock steps. After climbing an extended stone staircase, the Higher Nyack Path ends at a junction with the aqua-blazed Lengthy Path.
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
terminus of Higher Nyack Path
Flip proper onto the Lengthy Path, which follows an previous highway. Constructed within the 1870’s, this highway was deliberate to proceed to the highest of Hook Mountain, nevertheless it by no means was accomplished. Route 9W, which the previous highway briefly parallels, could also be seen and heard by means of the bushes above on the left. Quickly, the previous highway curves away from Route 9W, and the path narrows to a footpath, with views of the river by means of the bushes. The path then bears left and begins to climb slightly steeply, then extra reasonably. As you get somewhat larger, views open up over Higher Nyack, the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge.
flip proper on the Lengthy Path
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Simply past, after curving to the left, the path turns sharply proper (keep away from the unmarked path main straight forward) and climbs a steep, rocky slope, quickly reaching the summit of Hook Mountain, with excellent views over the Hudson River and the Tappan Zee Bridge. Rockland Lake could also be seen to the north (by means of the bushes), with the hills of Harriman State Park past. On a transparent day, the New York Metropolis skyline is seen to the south. You’ll additionally discover a number of clumps of prickly pear cactus – the one native American cactus that grows east of the Rocky Mountains. You’ve climbed over 700 toes to achieve this level, and also you’ll need to take a break, whereas having fun with the views.
flip proper on Lengthy Path
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
As you close to the summit, for those who flip round you’ll be greeted with this west-facing view.
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Hook Mountain summit.
Hook Mountain summit
View southeast from Hook Mountain summit.
view southeast from Hook Mountain summit
The Tappan Zee Bridge.
view of Tappan Zee Bridge from Hook Mountain summit
Within the foreground, by means of the bushes is Rockland Lake. Within the background is the Hudson River. The ridge that runs from left to proper between the lake and the river is the lengthy ridge of Hook Mountain.
view northeast from Hook Mountain summit
Trying southwest in the direction of New Jersey.
view southwest from Hook Mountain summit
Nyack finish of the Tappan Zee Bridge, Piermont Pier, Piermont Marsh, Tallman Mountain and past.
Tappan Zee Bridge, Piermont Pier & marsh, Tallman Mountain
Tappan Zee Bridge with Tarrytown within the background.
Tappan Zee Bridge with Tarrytown within the background
Sleepy Hole Lighthouse throughout the river.
Sleepy Hole Lighthouse throughout the river.
When you find yourself achieved having fun with the views, you possibly can proceed north on the Lengthy Path or as we did, you possibly can retrace your steps again down the mountain on the Lengthy Path, turning left on the Higher Nyack Path to the River Path and to the parking zone at Nyack Seaside State Park, the place the hike started.
Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
flip left on Higher Nyack Path
flip left on Higher Nyack Path
Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park
Overview:
An awesome hike through a effectively constructed and attention-grabbing path. The majestic views over the Hudson River are a pleasant reward for the rigorous climb. The paths are effectively marked and maintained. There may be loads of tree cowl alongside the best way, which helps on a sizzling day. A completely fulfilling hike.
Professionals:
Hudson River Valley views, newly constructed path is effectively achieved.
Cons:
Some highway noise from 9W.
Take a hike!
Hook Mountain Summit through Higher Nyack Path & Lengthy Path
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