APPALACHIAN TRAIL (SECTION 2 – WEST MOMBASHA ROAD TO BEAR MOUNTAIN BRIDGE)
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
799 West Washington Street
Harpers Ferry, WV 25425
(304) 535-6331
The hike from West Mombasha Road to Bear Mountain Bridge crosses the Orange Turnpike, NY 17, and enters Harriman State Park heading northbound. The park is one of New York’s largest, covering nearly 50,000 acres and it was here that the first section of the Appalachian Trail was completed and officially opened on October 7, 1923.
The Lemon Squeezer is located in the park and it is a narrow slot between boulders that requires some effort to get through. Arden Valley road is just north of it, and the road leads to Tiorati Circle which has restrooms, a bathhouse, a beach, a picnic area, and a snack stand.
The A.T. continues northbound and eventually reaches Bear Mountain (1,305 feet) at Bear Mountain State Park. The park has a Trailside Museum and Zoo, and the Appalachian Trail travels right through it. It is here that the Trail reaches its lowest point at 124 feet. An exit to the Bear Mountain Bridge is just past the Nature and Geology museums where a gate provides access to the bridge.
- click to see trail photos from this backpacking trip to the Bear Mountain Bridge: April 20-21, 1996
- click to view a detailed trip report for this hike on the Appalachian Trail: April 20-21, 1996 (password required)
- click to read a daytimer report from this hike in Southeastern New York: April 20, 1996 (password required)
- click to view maps of the A.T. in New York: overview map, trail map (day one), trail map (day two) (password required)
- click for a Bear Mountain State Park map, New York & New Jersey trail map
- click to see a video slideshow of my 1994 hike on the A.T. (short film produced 2019 ~ 5 min)
- click to watch a movie with commentary on BirdShooter’s 1994 Appalachian Trail thru-hike (long film produced 1996 ~39 min)
- click to hear Appalachian Trail thru-hiker interviews from 1994 (password protected)
- click to listen to a podcast about 30 Pack’s 2012 thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail
- click to see some of my favorite photos from the Appalachian Trail
- click to view a day-by-day summary of BirdShooter’s 1994 Appalachian Trail thru-hike
- click to read about BirdShooter’s Appalachian Trail thru-hike in these States: Georgia, North Carolina/Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia/Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine
- click to view specific sections of the Appalachian Trail (with photos from each state)
- click to read some common Appalachian Trail terms and definitions
- click to review a basic summary of the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail
- click to view an overview map of the entire Appalachian Trail
- click to view forums and general trail conversation about the Appalachian Trail
- click to get the Appalachian Trail Thru-Hiker’s Planning Guide
- click to get the Appalachian Trail Data Book
- click to see some other recommended books, videos and games about the Appalachian Trail
- click to post your own hike on the Appalachian Trail and share photos from the trip
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