Hook Mountain Summit through Higher Nyack Path & Lengthy Path

July 17, 2022 – Nyack, NY

Issue: Average to Strenuous

Size: Roughly 3.7 miles

Max elevation: 722 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 910 ft.

Route kind: Out and again

Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Hudson Palisades Trails Map #110 (2018)

Trailhead parking: 698 North Broadway, Nyack, NY 10960

Price: $10.00 per automobile Day Use (in season) – Empire Pass Accepted

Ample parking is obtainable – Restrooms on web site

The park is open year-round, from 8am to nightfall.

Overview:

This hike covers the just lately relocated Higher Nyack Path, which begins at river stage in Nyack Seaside State Park and ends at a junction with the Lengthy Path on the way in which 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 wished 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The outdated Higher Nyack path, whereas helpful, ran by means of some moist darkish areas and likewise included a highway stroll. Because of the work of Path Convention volunteers, the expertise is now much more pleasant. The Lengthy Distance Trails Crew put in 351 stone steps, constructed 2,537 sq. ft of crib wall, and constructed 3,775 ft of sidehilled path. Development started in 2019. Although lower than a mile in size, the technical work required to construct a protected, sustainable route by means of such difficult situations took virtually 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 potential by the acquisition of 30 acres of undeveloped land from the Marydell Religion and Life Heart, adjoining to Nyack Seaside and Hook Mountain state parks. The sloping property, which the spiritual order acquired in 1924, consists of dense woodland and meadow stretching right down to the Hudson River. The Belief for Public Land acquired the property, that was coveted for residential growth, 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 integrated 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, beneficial properties about 555 ft of elevation from the Hudson River to its terminus at a junction with the Lengthy Path. It’s properly blazed and simple to comply with. The path begins at Nyack Seaside State Park. The primary part follows what was referred to 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 tools to the plateau, which was the working face of a serious 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 massive 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 rapidly learns to understand the path crew’s work. With out their steps, stairs, bridges, and packed earth, the way in which can be almost 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 way in which.

It is a easy 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.

Upper Nyack Trail - Nyack Beach State Park

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 ft 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 ft on the Hook Mountain Bike Path (also referred to 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 mud highway, passing concrete foundations on the left that afford a view of the Hudson River, and continues uphill on switchbacks. After a stage part, it joins a paved highway for 175 ft, then turns proper, climbs rock steps and continues alongside the aspect 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 Beach State Park

Hook Mountain Bike Path – Nyack Seaside State Park

flip left on Higher Nyack Path

Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park

Tappan Zee Bridge from the Upper Nyack Trail

Tappan Zee Bridge from the Higher Nyack Path

Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park

After a couple of mile, the path crosses a stream on big boulders, then begins a gentle 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

terminus of Higher Nyack Path

Flip proper onto the Lengthy Path, which follows an outdated highway. Constructed within the 1870’s, this highway was deliberate to proceed to the highest of Hook Mountain, but it surely by no means was accomplished. Route 9W, which the outdated highway briefly parallels, could also be seen and heard by means of the bushes above on the left. Quickly, the outdated 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 just a little greater, 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

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 ft to succeed in this level, and also you’ll wish to take a break, whereas having fun with the views.

flip proper on Lengthy Path

Lengthy Path – Nyack Seaside State Park

As you close to the summit, in the event you flip round you’ll be greeted with this west-facing view.

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

Wanting southwest in 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 in the background

Tappan Zee Bridge with Tarrytown within the background

Sleepy Hole Lighthouse throughout the river.

Sleepy Hollow Lighthouse across the river.

Sleepy Hole Lighthouse throughout the river.

If you find yourself performed 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

Higher Nyack Path – Nyack Seaside State Park

Evaluate:

An excellent hike through a properly constructed and attention-grabbing path. The majestic views over the Hudson River are a pleasant reward for the rigorous climb. The paths are properly marked and maintained. There’s loads of tree cowl alongside the way in which, which helps on a sizzling day. A completely pleasant hike.

Execs:

Hudson River Valley views, newly constructed path is properly performed.

Cons:

Some highway noise from 9W.

Take a hike!