Lengthy Path to Gurnee Park from South Mountain Park Trailhead

September‎ ‎5, 2022 – New Metropolis, NY

Issue: Average

Size: Roughly 4.5 miles

Max elevation: 774 ft.– whole elevation achieve roughly 670 ft.

Route kind: Out and again

Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Hudson Palisades Trails Map #112 (2018)

Free map: South Mountain County Park Trail Map

Trailhead parking: County Route 33, New City, NY 10956

Parking is accessible for about 20 vehicles – No restrooms on web site

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

Listed here are some hikes which are on the identical ridge as this one:

Park Overview:

This mountainous ridge inside the 239-acre South Mountain County Park is a part of the Palisades escarpment, which ends at NY 45 in Mount Ivy. It borders Excessive Tor State Park to the east and Gurnee County Park to the west. From Central Freeway (County Route 33), South Mountain County Park runs alongside the ridge westward for nearly two miles to Gurnee County Park. It has a number of scenic views overlooking Haverstraw and the Hudson River, Mt. Ivy and Thiells, Clarkstown and Orangetown. It’s lined with a mature stand of hardwood bushes and in season there are blueberries, wild grapes and raspberries.

South Mountain County Park

The 23-acre Gurnee County Park and Amphitheatre is an outdated quarry area, having a 40 to 80 foot escarpment as a backdrop. The grounds are arduous filled with traprock, and partly lined with brush and small bushes. It’s at this level that the northern parts of Triassic rock of the Palisades formations dip into the earth, to not reoccur.

Gurnee County Park and Amphitheater

The western finish of this ridge is named South Mountain and the southeastern peak on the Hudson is named Hook Mountain. The Lengthy Path Mountain climbing Path follows alongside your complete size of the Palisades Ridge.

Historical past:

The Palisades had been mined for gravel and constructing supplies by means of the 1890’s, till the 2 states shaped the Palisades Interstate Park Fee (PIPC) in 1900 for the needs of preserving the cliffs. Since that point, vital land donations have been made. The PIPC operates the Palisades Interstate Park in New Jersey and the State Parks and Historic Websites in New York’s Palisades Area.

The mountain is famous extra for the street by the identical identify that runs alongside its base and the individuals who resided off it in Clarkstown. Maxwell Anderson, well-known playwright, made the japanese finish well-known in his play, “Excessive Tor.” An air beacon marked this excessive level however was always vandalized earlier than it was lastly eliminated. Previous to its buy, the crest of the mountain was accepted for the development of condo homes. With assistance from federal funds and items of adjoining land, this part was bought in 1975-76. A big tract to the west within the City of Ramapo was obtained by tax delinquency extending the park from Central Freeway to Route 45.

Trails Overview:

Extending 358 miles from the one hundred and seventy fifth Avenue Subway Station in New York Metropolis to John Boyd Thacher State Park close to Albany, NY, the Lengthy Path Path is a thread connecting lots of New York’s parks, preserves, and state forest land. All through most of its size, whether or not on or off the street, the Lengthy Path is indicated by a 2-by-4-inch aqua blaze. At instances you might even see an official NY-NJ Path Convention spherical path marker. The distinctive aqua (typically referred to, incorrectly, in some guidebooks as teal) signifies the Lengthy Path, and solely the Lengthy Path.

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

The Lengthy Path enters New York State in Rockland County on the western aspect of the Hudson River, nonetheless following alongside the Palisades. The path travels by means of Tallman Mountain State Park, Blauvelt State Park, Hook Mountain State Park, Rockland Lake State Park after which Excessive Tor State Park, the place the Lengthy Path turns west away from the Hudson River to enter South Mountain County Park earlier than it reaches Harriman State Park. It’s in Harriman State Park the place the Lengthy Path crosses the enduring Appalachian Path.

The Lengthy Path is the one official path in South Mountain County Park and Gurnee Park and Amphitheater, however there are numerous unmarked trails/woods roads alongside the slender ridge that may be explored as properly. The Lengthy Path is properly marked and comparatively simple to observe. It might use an additional blaze right here or there, however all through most of its run by means of the 2 parks, the path is clear and properly trodden. The Lengthy Path is maintained by volunteers and member teams of the NY-NJ Path Convention.

Hike Overview:

With rain within the forecast, there was a window of a number of hours predicted of dry climate on this Labor Day Monday, I needed to maintain the journey to a minimal. There was gentle rain the night time earlier than and the bottom was barely moist, however it was presupposed to resume raining by late morning. I hiked this space in 2018, starting from Gurnee County Park and needed to revisit it. A few weeks prior, I parked on the identical trailhead and took the Lengthy Path in the wrong way to Excessive Tor and again.

This reasonable out and again hike was extra rugged than I remembered. It has loads of ups and downs and it’s fairly rocky in some areas. Correct mountaineering boots with some ankle safety in addition to mountaineering poles are beneficial.

This can be a easy out and again hike that’s totally on the Lengthy Path from County Route 33 to NY-45 and again. We hiked to the outdated quarry area in Gurnee County Park, however you may flip again at any time and even prolong the hike when you so want.

Long Path to Gurnee Park from South Mountain Park Trailhead

Lengthy Path to Gurnee Park from South Mountain Park Trailhead

As proven on the elevation profile beneath, there are steady ups and downs alongside the ridge of South Mountain.

elevation profile – South Mountain

The Hike:

Rigorously cross the street, heading in a westerly path into South Mountain County Park. Simply previous the gate is an unmarked woods street which will likely be your return route, however for now veer proper and observe the aqua blazes as they instantly begin to climb on a rocky footpath. The path snakes by means of the woods alongside undulating terrain.

South Mountain County Park

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

In a couple of 1/4-mile, the Lengthy Path joins a woods street and instantly leaves once more to the precise, persevering with on a footpath, quickly descending and climbing once more.

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

In a couple of mile from the beginning of the hike, the Lengthy Path passes a southwest-facing viewpoint. The path continues to climb and descend repeatedly because it heads west alongside the ridge.

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

In roughly 1.5 miles from the beginning, the Lengthy Path enters Gurnee County Park. There is no such thing as a signal or boundary marker indicating if you depart or enter both park.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

A brief distance later, the path begins to descend and comes out to a clearing with a north-facing viewpoint from a rock ledge. Care must be taken across the proximity of the cliff’s edge as there may be loads of unfastened rock with a steep drop off.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

To the north and northwest are the rolling hills of Harriman State Park. To the northeast is Bear Mountain State Park.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

Down beneath is the quarry area or “amphitheater” as it’s higher identified.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

Wanting northeast in the direction of Bear Mountain State Park and the Hudson Highlands.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

Proceed on the Lengthy Path because it descends towards NY-45 and the primary entrance of Gurnee County Park. Alongside the best way, the path passes one other comparable viewpoint, then briefly skirts a series hyperlink fence alongside personal property.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

A brief distance later, the Lengthy Path emerges from the woods into the parking zone for Gurnee County Park. That is the northernmost level of the Hudson River Palisades because it dips proper into the bottom. Right here, the Lengthy Path turns left and begins a street stroll on its method in the direction of Harriman State Park. You need to flip proper, stroll by means of the parking zone and previous the gate on the east finish of the parking zone.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

Proceed forward on the gravel street till you enter the Amphitheater. The outdated quarry area is kind of spectacular with its 80-foot cliffs as a backdrop.

Gurnee County Park and Amphitheater

When you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps again by means of the parking zone and switch left on the Lengthy Path. You’ll now be retracing your steps by means of Gurnee and South Mountain County Parks.

Lengthy Path – Gurnee County Park

On the best way again, I finished lifeless in my tracks once I noticed a bear proper on the path about 50-60 yards forward. It was wanting proper at me, however I needed to seize a picture. Afterwards, I yelled “get out of right here!” however it simply stood there watching me. Upon nearer inspection, it turned out to be a canine and the 2 people it was with had been unseen behind a tree.

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

I didn’t discover the leash and couldn’t see the people, and in my thoughts it was a bear in the midst of the path simply watching me. It jogged my memory of the man on the bike 2 weeks prior yelling “bear!” repeatedly close to Excessive Tor, simply east of right here.

Lengthy Path – South Mountain County Park

In about 1.25 miles from Gurnee County Park, the Lengthy Path reaches a junction with a woods street with a communication tower close by. Veer proper on the unmarked street, leaving the Lengthy Path. The woods street is a a lot gentler route that bypasses loads of the extra rugged and rocky areas that you simply encountered in the beginning of the hike. Alongside the best way, the Lengthy Path is seen simply to the left and joins the woods street briefly earlier than departing to the left. Proceed to observe the unmarked woods street for about 0.7 mile, again to the parking space, the place the hike started.

woods street – South Mountain County Park

South Mountain County Park Trailhead

Assessment:

A pleasant hike by means of an space that doesn’t get a lot foot visitors. There may be some street noise that may be heard all through the hike, however that’s to be anticipated because the slender ridge is surrounded by public roads. The views usually are not as good as these of Excessive Tor or Little Tor, however the scenic panorama and rugged nature of the path, makes for a pleasant sufficient backdrop, making the hike satisfying.

Professionals:

Lengthy Path, Amphitheater, scenic panorama, first rate views, properly marked trails, not a lot foot visitors, no litter (please hold it that method).

Cons:

Some street noise might be heard.

Take a hike!