High Point State Park, NJ - Steeny Kill Lake

ABOUT THE PARK:
High Point State Park - New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates for Steeny Kill Lake Parking: 41.320993, -74.677465

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Parking at Steeny Kill Lake.

TRAIL MAP:
Kittatinny Trails Map 123 - New York New Jersey Trail Conference
High Point State Park, NJ at EveryTrail


PEAK BAGGING:
High Point - peakery.com

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.5 miles

THE HIKE:

Steeny Kill Lake at sunrise.

High Point Monument from Steeny Kill Lake at sunrise.

The Steeny Kill Trail along the lake.

Leaving the lake and heading up.

The Steeny Kill Trail (blue circle) ends at the Monument Trail (red/green).  The loop can be completed in either direction.  I had wanted to turn right (the shorter way to the monument) to get to Lake Marcia and High Point Monument early before the crowds hit but with the low clouds swirling over the ridge, I figured there would not be much in the way of views until the clouds lifted so I went left, which is the longer route to the monument.

On the Monument Trail, joined by Kacey who is staying with us for the weekend.

Port Jervis, NY from a viewpoint along the Monument Trail.

The Shawangunk Ridge Trail joins in from the left.

On the trail around Cedar Swamp.

Boardwalk through the cedar swamp.

Back on the Monument Trail to ...

... lots of short side trails on either side to views,

Approaching High Point Monument from the Monument Trail.

Lake Marcia from the monument.

Looking north from the monument.

Back on the trail ...

for a much needed break ...

at Lake Marcia.

High Point Monument from Lake Marcia.

Heading back down to ...

Steeny Kill Lake.

High Point Monument from Steeny Kill Lake.

This is the dogumentary of our hike.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  From the parking lot head to the boat launch then turn right on the blue-dot-on-white Steeny Kill Trail along the lake
[  0.60]  Turn left on the red/green Monument Trail
[  1.35]  View of Port Jervis on left
[  1.45]  Blue-blazed Shawangunk Ridge Trail joins in from the left
[  1.50]  Right on blue when red/green goes straight, few steps ahead right on unmarked with blue goes left
[  2.15]  Turn left at intersection
[  2.40]  Keep left at fork
[  2.60]  Turn right on blue at bench
[  2.65]  Turn right on red/green Monument Trail
[  3.15]  Cross bridge then keep straight on red/green when the blue Shawangunk Ridge Trail joins in from the right
[  3.50]  Side trail on left to views; watch for multiple side trail on either side from this point forward
[  4.50]  High Point Monument; after visiting this area (mileage includes walking around monument area), continue on the red/green and blue trail which follows along the western side of the monument
[  5.00]  Keep left on red/green and blue at fork then cross paved park road
[  5.10]  Blue trail ends at white-blazed Appalachian Trail; turn right on red/green
[  5.20]  Turn right at Lake Marcia and continue on red/green
[  5.40]  Left at interpretive center to look around building for views to the west on the other side
[  5.55]  From looping around the interpretive center, turn left to continue on red/green
[  5.85]  Turn left on blue-dot-on-white
[  6.50]  Back at parking

Tallman Mountain State Park, NY

ABOUT THE PARK:
Tallman Mountain State Park - New York State Parks
Tallman Mountain State Park - Palisades Parks Conservancy

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 41.015482, -73.913407

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There is no sign for the parking lot right off of 9W but heading north, follow the aqua blazes of the Long Path where it follows 9W and the blazes take you right to the parking lot.  There is no fee to park at this lot.  There is a fee at the main park entrance.

TRAIL MAP:
Hudson Palisades Trail Map 109 - New York New Jersey Trail Conference

Tallman Mountain State Park, NY at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  4.5 miles

THE HIKE:

The Long Path follow the bike path to the right of the parking lot.

At the ruins on the right, the bike path continues straight when the Long Path leaves to the left.

Continue on the bike path passing the gate on the right.  (We were joined by Hayden who is staying with us for the week.)

When the bike path turns left, leave to the right on an unmarked footpath.

The unmarked path follows along the edge with the Hudson River to the right.

At a rock outcrop, views of the Tappan Zee Bridge.

The unmarked path continues on.

The unmarked path meets back up with the Long Path.

The park pool down below.

The Long Path climbs back up on stone steps.

Views from the top at the picnic area.

Back on the bike path ...

to the Long Path where it crosses over.

The Long Path turns right on the bike path at the ruins from the beginning of the hike.

HIKE SUMMARY: 
[  0.00]  Take the aqua-blazed Long Path/bike path to the right of the parking lot
[  0.30]  Straight on bike path when aqua leaves to the left at ruins on the right
[  0.40]  Veer left on bike path at gated road on right
[  0.50]  Right on unmarked when bike path makes left turn;  keep left at fork few steps in
[  0.70]  Views at rock outcrop on right
[  1.20]  Right on aqua when unmarked ends
[  1.55]  Stay on aqua when orange starts to the left
[  1.95]  Pool and views on right; keep right on bike path when aqua goes left
[  2.40]  Left on aqua and ascend on stone steps
[  2.55]  At the top of the stone steps, views to the right; continue left on aqua through picnic area
[  2.95]  After descending a few wooden steps at paved circle where aqua goes left, veer right on paved road towards speed limit sign
[  3.00]  Turn left at end of clearing to dirt foot path
[  3.15]  Turn left on paved road
[  3.20]  At fork keep right on bike path
[  3.30]  Keep straight on bike path when orange crosses over
[  3.65]  Right on aqua; stay on aqua at unmarked intersections
[  4.10]  Pond on left
[  4.30]  At T-intersection turn right on aqua as it joins the bike path
[  4.50]  Back at parking lot