PLANET CHOCKO – art/music/movies/beyond » Bear Mountain ups – hiking the Hudson Valley

Bear Mountain ups – hiking the Hudson Valley – New York State

December 1st, 2018 by Mr. C

(Views atop Perkins Memorial Tower drive – highest point at Bear Mountain)

About 40 miles north of the Planet Chocko little house on the prairie lies Bear Mountain State Park, one of our favorite places to get away from the city & zombie crawl of the robotic suburban lifestyle even if it’s just for a day. Bear Mountain is a state park on the west side of the Hudson River in Rockland County, New York. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Bear Mountain is the closest & best locale nearest to NYC that offers many fun & different activities for the nature lover in you! Things to do at this park include hiking, biking, boating, picnicking, swimming, cross-country skiing, cross-country running, sledding and ice skating. On the grounds you will also find a really cool Trailside Museum and Zoo, the Bear Mountain Inn, a merry-go-round, pool, and a skating rink. The Perkins Memorial Tower is also a neat destination to hike or drive up to for the beautiful views overlooking Bear Mountain at the highest point of the park. You also have access to the beautiful lakes in the surrounding area by driving along 7 Lakes Drive.

For me, I usually avoid this area like the plague during the prime time season which is usually between Memorial day late in May till Labor day in September. I like to enjoy this space in the fall and winter months when basically no-one is around and when it’s most peaceful! Although, you will find us cruising along 7 Lakes Drive for a drive-by because it’s just that beautiful there not to mention the curvy roads at Bear Mountain make for some fun & spirited driving!

The photos in this blog from Perkins Memorial Tower was from about a month ago and the Hessian Lake, Zoo, & Hudson River Dock flicks are from a few days ago. Enjoy and maybe we’ll see you on the trails at Bear Mountain! Ironically, Perkins Memorial Drive will be closed on Dec 1 and will open back in April for the new season so enjoy the views from atop Perkins Memorial above and below!

US-9W, Bear Mountain
NY 10911

(views from Perkins Memorial Tower Drive)

(Ice Skating rink – open on weekends and limited times during the weekday)

(Should we stay within the 5 mile radius or should we head towards Georgia? It’s crazy to think the Appalachian Trail goes from Main to Georgia! 14 States – 2190 miles! Whaat?! Insane!)

(Hessian Lake views)

(Walking in a tunnel that goes underneath highway 9W to get across to the Zoo, Musuem, Pool, & Hudson River Dock area)

(You’ll see the pool on your right)

(The Zoo/Museum will be on the left)

(a few black bears maxin’ and relaxin’)

(Bobcat)

(Red Fox)

(views of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nose Peak/Trail from an outlook by the zoo)

(Bronze statue of an Elk’s head walking towards the Hudson River dock slightly past the pool)
(this bronze sculpture was presented to the Palisades Interstate Park by Commissioner Victor Berman in 1935.)