April 18, 2023 – Highland Falls, NY
Problem: Reasonable – Strenuous (1 steep climb, 1 steep descent and a few gentle rock scrambling)
Size: Roughly 1.5 miles
Max elevation: 942 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 502 ft.
Route sort: Circuit
Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails Map #119
Free Map (Paper & Avenza): Bear Mountain State Park Path Map
Trailhead parking: 288 Mine Rd, Highland Falls, NY 10928
Restricted parking – no restrooms on website.
Particulars on longer hikes to Popolopen Torne through totally different a route:
Overview:
The Path of the Fallen is a brief however steep part of the Timp-Torne Path that climbs and descends Popolopen Torne in Bear Mountain State Park. The Path of the Fallen was formally opened on Could 10, 2014. The revitalization of the path was Grant Nawoichyk’s Eagle Scout Challenge. The path originates close to the highest of Mine Street the place there’s a picket kiosk. It’s the website the place rocks, some as heavy as 200 kilos, have been carried as much as the summit of The Torne and positioned in reminiscence of troopers who’ve died in current army conflicts. A lot of the stones are painted with names of troopers which have paid the final word sacrifice. The stones are stacked as a tribute to those fallen servicemen and ladies. Two 400 pound memorial benches in honor of two West Level graduates killed in Afghanistan, had been carried up the mountain and bolted in place.
Path of the Fallen Memorial – Popolopen Torne
Popolopen Torne, formally known as “The Torne,” is a small mountain with a comparatively sharp and bald peak, a part of the Hudson Highlands, with a summit of 942 toes above sea degree. It’s situated in Bear Mountain State Park and has 360° views, with the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge to the east, the hills of the West Level Army Reservation to the west and Bear Mountain to the south.
The Torne as seen from Lengthy Mountain
Path Overview:
The Timp-Torne Path is the one path used on this hike. There’s a quick street stroll on the finish of the hike alongside Mine Street. It’s solely about 3/4 of a mile from the kiosk to the summit, with about 500 toes of elevation acquire in that span. The path is sort of rocky and a few gentle scrambling over rocks and boulders is required. There are some ropes which were positioned at sure areas alongside the path to assist navigate a few of the harder sections.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
The route down is even steeper. Once more, there are ropes in some locations to assist hikers descend a few of the steeper sections.
The path is comparatively nicely marked, however there are just a few spots the place it may use further blazes. I counsel utilizing the free Avenza Maps app which is able to hold you on the path. An excellent pair of climbing boots is strongly urged as nicely.
Hike Overview:
I’ve carried out longer variations of this hike in 2017 and 2018. This hike is brief, however if you happen to really feel bold, you need to use connecting trails to elongate the hike.
The parking space can accommodate 6-8 vehicles, relying on how nicely individuals park their automobiles. We did this hike on a considerably chilly Tuesday morning and didn’t encounter anybody till we had been on the brink of go away the parking space and a automobile pulled in, round 10:45 am.
This can be a counterclockwise loop starting at a small parking space on Mine Street.
Path of the Fallen – Popolopen Torne
elevation profile – Path of the Fallen
The Hike:
The blue-blazed Timp-Torne Path passes via the parking zone and turns left on Mine Street. The path follows Mine Street for 100 toes, then turns proper at a kiosk, leaving the street and begins to climb Popolopen Torne on stone steps and switchbacks.
Mine Street Trailhead – Timp-Torne Path
Mine Street Trailhead – Timp-Torne Path
Mine Street Trailhead – Timp-Torne Path
Mine Street Trailhead – Timp-Torne Path
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
After a comparatively degree stretch, the path turns left and climbs extra steeply. Quickly, it comes out on an east-facing viewpoint over the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge and the East Hudson Highlands from a rock ledge.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
You’ll wish to cease right here for a brief break, however regardless of what you may assume, this isn’t the summit of The Torne.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Proceed forward on the Timp-Torne Path. Once you attain a brief stone column marked with blue blazes, there’s a quick spur path to the precise of the stone column with some pretty views from a small rock outcrop.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Wanting north in direction of The Crown Ridge and West Level hills.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Wanting southeast.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Proceed forward on the path, which makes a pointy bend to the south and continues to climb over rock ledges.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
In sure spots alongside this stretch of the path, ropes have been positioned alongside the best way to assists hikers with the steep ascent over the open rock slabs.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Quickly, you’ll attain the true summit of Popolopen Torne, the place open rock ledges afford a 360° view. From right here, you may see not solely the Hudson River and the Bear Mountain Bridge to the east, but in addition Bear Mountain to the south, and the hills of the West Level Army Reservation to the west.
View west – Popolopen Torne
On the summit of The Torne, is the memorial for fallen troopers. You might wish to take a second right here to honor these courageous women and men who sacrificed their lives to guard our freedoms which we take pleasure in on a regular basis.
Path of the Fallen Memorial – Popolopen Torne
Path of the Fallen Memorial – Popolopen Torne
Path of the Fallen Memorial – Popolopen Torne
Wanting west in direction of the hills of Harriman State Park.
View west – Popolopen Torne
The Hudson River, Bear Mountain Bridge, Anthony’s Nostril on the far facet of the bridge and the Palisades Interstate Parkway down under.
View south – Popolopen Torne
Palisades Interstate Parkway down under.
View southwest – Popolopen Torne
View southeast – Popolopen Torne
Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony’s Nostril.
View southeast – Popolopen Torne
After spending a while at this lovely spot, proceed forward because the path steeply descends the mountain on rock ledges. The descent is far steeper than the climb, and you’ll have to use each your arms and your toes in locations. Once more ropes have been positioned in sure spots to help hikers on the descent.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Wanting again after descending with the assistance of a rope.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
On the best way down there may be one other large ranging viewpoint from a rock ledge.
View southeast – Popolopen Torne
View southeast – Popolopen Torne
View east – Popolopen Torne
One other steep part the place ropes have been positioned.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Wanting again up after the steep descent.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
About midway down, the path reenters the woods and continues to descend extra reasonably on stone steps and switchbacks.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
A brief distance later, the Timp-Torne Path reaches Mine Street then crosses it, however it’s best to flip left on the paved street and comply with it down a brief distance, again to the parking space, the place the hike started.
Timp-Torne Path – Popolopen Torne
Mine Street Trailhead – Timp-Torne Path
Evaluate:
A very good hike with implausible views of the Hudson River Valley. A bit quick, however may be mixed with connecting trails for an extended trek. This hike is ideal for these quick on time that desire a good exercise and views. Some extra blazes alongside the path would make for simpler navigation, however utilizing the Avenza Maps app is useful for conditions like that. Undoubtedly a should do for those who hike the Hudson Valley.
Execs:
Path of the Fallen Memorial, 360° views, gentle rock scrambling, not as crowded as the encompassing peaks.
Cons:
May very well be higher blazed in some spots, restricted parking, no restrooms.
Take a hike!
Popolopen Torne – Bear Mountain State Park
Sources:
