Hike #522 10/31/10
10/31/10 Nyack/Peirmont loop with Jillane Becker, Amanda Rosenblatt, "Action Adam" Stevens, Russ "Lord Byron" Rapp, Jackie DeMelo, Eric Pace, Chris Herbig, and Chris Metaxas
Group shot on the Old Erie Rail Trail, Nyack, NY
My next hike would be a loop in the vicinity of Nyack and Piermont NY, the next northbound section of the Long Path and Hudson Palisades I wanted to cover. I met my group at Memorial Park off of Depew Ave in Nyack, at a beautiful scenic spot over the Hudson River.
It surprising to see my old friend Jackie DeMelo show up for this one, as she hadn't been out for several years.
View up along the Hudson, Memorial Park, Nyack NY
Memorial Park, Nyack, NY
Hudson River, Nyack NY
Playground in Memorial Park, Nyack NY
Memorial Park, Nyack NY
Walking Depew Ave, Nyack NY
We started walking out of the park past playgrounds along Depew Ave from a nice stair case at the end of Memorial Park. This was my annual costume hike and so almost everyone was in their odd attire. I wore my cape Jillane had given me after Amanda's Masquerade, Amanda was wearing a white wig (we joked she was Wayne Meiner for halloween), Lord Byron was wearing some sort of crazy mask with gorilla hair legs and some armor...don't know what he was but it was funny, Jackie was dressed as a devil, Herbig was some sort of corpse person, and Action Adam had a terrific Lord Poseidon costume (shirtless with a weird skirt thing, fake beard and crown, fishing net with fake fish and such). It was awesome! I give him credit for going shirtless almost this entire hike despite the cold.
Interstate 287 from Highland Ave overpass, Nyack NY
We turned left on South Highlands Ave, Rt 9W and used it to cross Interstate 287. We then made the right fork on South Highlands Ave. The area offered some views out toward the Tappan Zee Bridge to the south. We soon made our way to a paved trail leading up hill to the right.
Trail through Nyack Middle School property, Nyack
Trail at Nyack Middle School
This took us along the north side of the Nyack Middle School, then along a ball field to an access road of the school. The path even had some views out toward the Hudson from it. We continued to the right on the access road out to Dickinson Avenue. It was here we found the Long Path aqua blazes and turned left. The followed the street to a section of woods and ascended. We were now in Sean Hunter Ryan Memorial County Park.
We ascended to Bradley Hill Road above Nyack College, turned right, then left into woods and ascended a bit more. I remember going onto a ridge, and then slightly down and back up to where we could see the trail behind us easily. I think Eric cut a corner there
Seasonal view from the Long Path in Blauvelt State Park, NY
We continued with some seasonal views to the east over the Hudson. This was all now in Blauvelt State Park. We pretty much kept only with the Long Path headed south, although many side trails existed both marked and unmarked.
Lord Byron on the Long Path along the Palisades, Blauvelt State Park.
The trail remained somewhat close but above Tweed Boulevard for a bit. We soon came to our first really nice view. We could see down the Hudson to the south, as well as westward over the rest of Blauvelt State Park.
View from atop the Hudson Palisades in Blauvelt State Park
Pretty girl on a rock along the Long Path, Blauvelt State Park NY
View west from the Long Path, Blauvelt State Park
Hiking the Long Path through Blauvelt State Park
The trail descended from here and then soon crossed over Tweed Blvd, Rt 5 and headed west deeper into Blauvelt SP. Jillane and I fell behind a bit, and everyone waited up when we got to the target walls of the old firing range that used to exist in what is now the state park. It had been closed because lead was supposedly landing in neighboring people's yards or something.
Old target wall in Blauvelt State Park's abandoned firing range.
Old firing range target wall, Blauvelt State Park
There was a tunnel that went straight ahead parallel with the trail, created so that the men would have a safe place to walk while shots were being fired. We entered this first one and walked as far as we could in it, Action Adam and I in the front, until we came to a lot of water and decided not to get soaked and turned back.
Inside safety tunnel, old firing range of Blauvelt State Park
Tunnel in Blauvelt State Park
Once we got out, we walked to the left off of the trail for a bit along a long section of target wall. I actually think we were on top of it. When we got to the end, there was really no way down to the entrance to the next tunnel, although Action Adam descended along a barely there set of decomposing stairs briefly. We opted to head back and I found a safe spot to descend, then a crack in the target wall to the right. We climbed through into a dark room, then through a doorway into a second room that allowed more light in. There was an entrance to the next tunnel from this room. We entered and followed the tunnel slightly down hill through a very long cooridoor and then gradually up again.
Tunnel, Blauvelt State Park
Tunnel, Blauvelt State Park
Tunnel, Blauvelt State Park
Tunnel, Blauvelt State Park abandoned firing range.
Exit of the safety tunnel, Blauvelt State Park abandoned firing range
The tunnel exited to the right at another target wall also heading right. We exited the tunnel and took a break here briefly. While everyone waited I wandered off along the target wall to see if I could find anything else of interest.
Target wall and tunnel, Blauvelt State Park
Abandoned target wall, Blauvelt State Park
Abandoned building at firing range, Blauvelt State Park
Abandoned building, Blauvelt State Park
Target wall, Blauvelt SP NY
I wandered out along the old target wall and found an abandoned building to the left of me. The area was going to require further exploration, but not that we had time for on this trip. We had covered two tunnels and then some, so we were okay.
We went back through the long tunnel that took us into the larger area, then headed back through the second room and out the crack. We continued along the target wall back to where we started off along the Long Path to continue south.
Ruins at the abandoned firing range, Blauvelt State Park
Abandoned firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
Firing range area ruins, Blauvelt SP
Climbing into firing range building ruins, Blauvelt State Park
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt State Park
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt State Park
Tunnels in Blauvelt SP
Tunnel, Blauvelt SP
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt State Park
Firing wall, Blauvelt State Park
Abandoned building, Blauvelt SP
Interesting graffiti in Blauvelt State Park firing range ruins
Tunnel, Blauvelt SP
Tunnel, Blauvelt SP
Tunnel, Blauvelt SP
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
Firing range ruins, Blauvelt SP
Some sort of reservoir or something in Blauvelt State Park
Long Path in Tackamack Park, NY
We continued south through the woods, which were planted following the abandonment of the firing range repordedly. It led us out to Marisco Court, then across into Tackamack Park. This park was named for a Native American who acted as a spokesperson for local native Americans and signed various land agreements and such, though most today question what gave him the right to do so. He took on the Dutch name Jans Claus, and adjacent Clausland Mountain County Park is also named for him.
Long Path in Tackamack Park, NY
We continued south and crossed Clausland Mountain Road where there was a parking lot, and it was the first time we saw any other hikers all day. This took us south through more of Tackamack Park and into Clausland Mountain County Park.
View from Clausland Mountain on the Long Path
We ascended gradually up Clausland Mountain, and Action Adam and I got well ahead of the others, then waited near the top for them to catch up. There was a bit of a nice seasonal view to the west from here.
Upper end of Rockland Cemetery
We continued along the Long Path as it left Clausland Mountain County Park and made it's way around the edge of Mt. Nebo, then out to the upper end of the Rockland Cemetary. In this cemetery one of the Long Path's former supervisors is buried, quite fitting to be laid to rest along his trail. The trail led us around the east edge of the cemetery, then down hill gradually along the road to it.
Access road to Rockland Cemetery, route of the Long Path
Rockland Cemetery
The road opened up at the bottom in the larger portion of the Rockland Cemetery. I lost the Long Path blazes here for a bit, so we walked down hill through the cemetery looking for where it turned off. At this time, I don't believe I had my Long Path book, still stored away in a box from the fire (I eventually found it reasonably undamaged).
Rockland Cemetery
Rockland Cemetery
Rockland Cemetery
What? Rockland Cemetery
In Rockland Cemetery
Rockland Cemetery
Finally found the Long Path route out of Rockland Cemetery
We wandered around for a while and just couldn't figure out where we needed to be.The cemetery was beautiful, and very nice for walking, but soon we just wanted to move on. I made my way back up to where we came in on the road to look for blazes going the opposite direction. Sure enough, we found them, following an unpaved road along the top of the cemetery's east side.
Large tree along the Long Path near Rockland Cemetery
The path continued on the woods road, and came very close to where one of the sharp bend in the paved road where the trail followed it. Eric had been running far behind, so I instructed him to take this route and cut a corner. That worked out for him, as we spent so much time being lost in the cemetery and he got the short cut, so he could catch up.The trail took us through some woods past a huge tree and then out to Castle Road, a dead end street.
Weird sculpture along Castle Road above Piermont
The road bent sharply and there was some sort of huge estate up another part of the dead end drive. The trail continued to descend via Castle Road to Rt 9W. It went right as I recall briefly, then turned left into the woods on an abandoned woods road.
Long Path along an abandoned road entering Piermont NY
The woods road soon had another trail break off of it to the right, and I think it came back to it as well. I figured we'd have to check this out on another occasion though. The trail took us out at the end of another dead end road, then headed down to Piermont Place and followed it left.
Mine and Action Adam's shadows looked rather menacing on Piermont Place, Long Path
We soon reached the old Erie Piermont train station where I'd been before. We crossed the old rail bed and then descended along the Long Path down hill toward Piermont on a nice path with a hand rail.
View of the Hudson from the Long Path above Piermont
Long Path in Peirmont NY
Blind drive? That's rather scary. Piermont NY
The trail took us to Tate Avenue and then down into town. Most of the group wanted to relax here for a bit, but I wanted to go up Tallman Mountain again for the incredible view. I was joined on that by Jackie and Herbig, and I think someone else went but I don't remember who.
Historic marker on the bridge over Sparkill Creek, Piermont NY
We walked out to the old historic bridge on Bridge Street I'd checked out on my previous trip. We turned left off of the Long Path along the bike path and road heading close to the Sparkill Marsh, past the pool, then up hill to the circle in Tallman Mountain State Park. We then got back on the Long Path to follow it north through the park and out to the outstanding viewpoint over Piermont, the pier, Sparkill Marsh, and out toward Hook Mountain to the north. The view was absolutely perfect on this trip, and well worth it.
Mt Nebo seen from Tallman Mountain
Hudson River from Tallman Mountain
Sparkill Marsh from Tallman Mountain
View of Piermont out toward Nyack and Hook Mountain from Tallman Mountain
Piermont NY from Tallman Mountain
View from Tallman Mountain
Hook Mountain and Piermont from Tallman Mountain
Sparkill Marsh
The others waited behind while I descended the steep slope of the Long Path back down into Piermont to join the rest of the group. They had all gone to the pizza place in town to have some food, while I went to the grocery store up the street. I think I got an Italian sandwich or something.
While in Piermont, we also checked out the great little antique thrift store. We waited around and had a really nice break, and were soon joined by our friend Chris Metaxas who knew the area pretty well. Many gave up their costume attire by this time, but Action Adam was donning the full Poseidon Regalia and drawing quite a scene. One lady even came up to chat with him because she knew just who he was, complete with pitch fork and all.
Lord Poseidon rules Piermont
In Piermont NY
Bed of old Erie Railroad where it made it's way toward Piermont Pier, it's original Terminus
Store in Piermont NY
When we were ready to move on, we continued on up the main street through Piermont. We stopped again at the little store so some of the group could go in and get some more drinks, and then we made our way to the next street heading steeply to the left up hill. We turned left on Tate Ave, then right back onto the Long Path up hill to the former Erie Railroad grade, now a trail, and followed it past the historic station.
Old Erie Railroad's Piermont train station
Old Erie Railroad trail north of Piermont
This was quite a nice rail trail, with gigantic houses to it's left as we continued northbound. Each home seemed to have it's own access down to the trail, and each one was manicured to great lengths. They were all on the steep Palisade slopes so it must be a nightmare to try to maintain. So many of the places had well built steps to the trail. Some seemed almost abandoned.
There were often some views to the east over the Hudson from the rail bed, a treat we don't often get from walking that kind of trail.
Old Erie Rail Trail north of Piermont NY
View of the Hudson from Old Erie Rail Trail
The trail became more secluded as we walked on, and the houses became less frequent. Action Adam remained in character as he attacked Jillane with a rear poke from his pitch fork. She promised revenge on him.
Jillane exacts revenge on Lord Poseidon for poking her
Abandoned old road (with old railings) descending from the rail bed on the Palisades
Tappan Zee Bridge from Old Erie Railroad bed
Tappan Zee Bridge from old Erie Railroad bed
Along old Erie Railroad bed, crazy stacked wood
As we got closer to Nyack, some great views out toward the Tappan Zee Bridge opened up. The sun was starting to go down, but we were almost into Nyack, so it didn't matter too much.
Old Erie Railroad bed just south of Nyack NY
Old Erie Rail Trail south of Nyack NY
As we were coming into Nyack, the rail trail began looking far more developed, and must have turned away from it's original route a bit, because it hugged the side of an on ramp to Rt 87 and 287. It now also was named Raymond Esposito Trail. It took us north back to the rail right of way, then across Clinton Ave. It now paralleled closely to Franklin Street. The official trail went into one of those little block parks and ended at Cedar Hill Ave. We could see where the railroad would have continued into more of the center town area, so we just walked along Franklin Street the remaining distance into the middle of Nyack, an interesting town.
Downtown NYack, NY
An Owl atop a building in Nyack, NY
There was an owl, which at first we thought to be a statue, perched atop a building in the middle of town, which I thought was a bit off the wall. We made our way to the right out toward the waterfront, but when we got there found that there was really no easy way to get directly back to Memorial park so we had to come back a couple blocks in and head south to get to our cars. It was now very dark, but fortunately we didn't have our cars towed away.
Tappan Zee Bridge from Memorial Park, Nyack
Tappan Zee Bridge from Memorial Park, Nyack NY
View from Memorial park, Nyack NY
The views of the lights on the Tappan Zee Bridge to the south, and across and up the river were amazing. It was a perfect way to end the best Halloween Hike yet.
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