The Timp

With the weather in the Northeast turning bitter cold and forecasts of rain, sleet, and snow, L&O and I decided it would be perfect for a long hike.

We set our sights to the area in New York called "the Timp", located in Harriman State Park. This hike includes views over the Hudson as well as two tunnels from the never completed Dunderberg Spiral Railway of the late 1800's.

With challenging weather, cool tunnels to explore, the promise of awesome views, and no one to tell us not to go, we were on our way!

Take 9W north towards Bear Mountain. After passing the Stony Point Lighthouse sign on your right, you will come to an anchor monument on the same side. Past the monument, but before Bear Mountain, there will be a dirt parking area to your left. A sign marks this area as hiker trailhead parking. Once parked, walk 9W south about 50 feet and you will see three blue trail blazes marking the Timp-Torne Trail and red-on-white blazes marking the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail on your right.

Begin the hike by following the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail. The hike begins on a level footpath, through an area of vines. It's not too long before we reach the first tunnel on our left. This tunnel was left by the Dunderberg Spiral Railway. Construction for the railway began in 1890, but by late 1890 or early 1891, the company ran out of money. The plan was to have rail cars pulled up the mountain by a stationary steam engine and the downhill by gravity (speed on the downhill descent was estimated at 60 mph). The complete history can be found at http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/dunderberg/history.html

After playing in the tunnel, the trail bears right and ascends steeply on switchbacks and uses stone stairs in places. At the junction with the red-on-white blazes, bear left and continue to follow the blue blazes of the Timp-Torne Trail.

The trail continues to climb and you will be able to view the Hudson river during much of the hike through the trees. We viewed a bald eagle in flight while climbing, so keep an eye out while you're hiking.

After a very rocky switchback area you'll arrive at a graded section. This is left over from the railway construction and is a welcome break. Soon we arrive at another tunnel on our right. This tunnel is unfinished, but still a neat find for any explorer!

The trail continues past the tunnel and bears right. This will bring you to the back of the unfinished tunnel and crosses a stream.

After a very sharp right turn, the trail climbs through switchbacks. Once again at a level grade, you are rewarded with a panoramic view of the Hudson. Here, on a clear day, you can view the New York City skyline. If you look closely in the picture above (not taken on a clear day), you can see the skyline.

Pass the junction with the 1777 Trail and continue on the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail. While hiking in this area, we saw many deer grazing in the grass in the woods below us.

After passing the 1777 Trail, the T-T Trail climbs over a large rock, offering a good viewpoint, before joining the Red Timp Trail for about 200 feet. Soon after, we meet the red-on-white R-D Trail and the White Cross Trail at an intersection. Continue to follow the BLUE-BLAZED T-T Trail! This will lead you right up the Timp. At the summit, there is a beautiful view of Haverstraw Bay, and as you round the Timp, you will view Bear Mountain and the Bear Mountain Bridge as well as West Mountain and the West Mountain shelter. We viewed a bald eagle in flight here as well.

Unforunately, this is not a loop, so we leave the summit of the Timp, and begin our journey back the way we came. Follow the blue-blazed T-T trail back to 9W and the parking area.