Could 9, 2021 – Sloatsburg, NY
Problem: Reasonable – strenuous
Size: Roughly 4 miles
Max elevation: 958 ft.– complete elevation acquire 836 ft.
Route sort: Lollipop Loop
Purchase Map: Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails Map #118
Free Map: Dater Mountain Nature Park Path Map
Trailhead parking: Johnsontown Street – Sloatsburg, NY 10974
Parking accessible for about 4-5 autos, no restrooms on web site.
Park Overview:
Dater Mountain Nature Park is a Rockland County park positioned within the New York/New Jersey Highlands within the city of Sloatsburg, NY. The 350-acre park is adjoining to Harriman State Park’s southwestern border. It’s a closely wooded undeveloped park with steep inclines and rocky slopes with numerous mountain tops and valleys crossed by a number of small streams.
Dater Mountain Nature Park
A view of the Village of Tuxedo, The New York State Thruway, and Orange County could also be seen from the excessive elevations, some rising 940 ft above sea stage. Dater Mountain Nature Park accommodates eight federally designated wetlands and gives habitat for 2 NY State endangered species, the Northern Cricket Frog and the Allegheny Woodrat; and one threatened species, the Timber Rattlesnake. Orange and Rockland transmission traces traverse the western part of the park.
View of NYS Thruway – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Historical past:
Dater Mountain Nature Park has many native tribal and household histories. The Munsee Indians as soon as inhabited the property. It’s the westerly a part of the Spence Patent, that contained 1,820 acres of land, one in all 4 grants given to officers of the British Military by George III on January 18, 1775. Dater Crossing introduced the locality into contact with Route 17 and Tuxedo. The realm was extensively logged within the later 1700’s and into the 1800’s; timber had been burned in pits to supply charcoal for the smelting of iron ore. Many of those pits may be discovered all through the property.
The land was acquired by Rockland County in two phases;
In 1981, 150 acres had been obtained by way of tax delinquency. At the moment, the park was landlocked by non-public property and had restricted public accessibility.
In 1991, the Village of Sloatsburg reviewed a proposal to subdivide an adjoining property into 71 single-family tons. The previous house owners indicated that if the Johnsontown Street Property was not bought by the county, they’d suggest an analogous subdivision.
Part 2 included the acquisition 237 acres of land in 2004 as a part of Rockland County’s Open Area Acquisition Program. Rockland County supplied the overwhelming majority of the funds for the $4.9 million buy. The county obtained a $350,000 grant from the State of New York Environmental Safety Fund to help within the acquisition.
Dater Mountain Nature Park
The brand new acquisition of open area, connects Dater Mountain Nature Park to the adjoining Harriman State Park by way of its community of trails. The small parking space was constructed to make the park extra simply accessible.
Trails Overview:
The path system in Dater Mountain Nature Park was established in August 2005 and consists of roughly three miles of marked trails that weave their approach by way of the park. There are additionally a number of unmarked footpaths and woods roads that one can discover as effectively. The Orange and Blue Trails hook up with kind a few 2.5 mile loop. Hikers can proceed on the Orange Path to its terminus at a T-intersection with the white-blazed Kakiat Path and enter into Harriman State Park for an extended hike.
The paths are effectively blazed and simple to observe. Excluding a number of blowdowns, which may be simply negotiated, the paths are effectively maintained and freed from litter. The paths are managed and maintained by the Rockland County Parks Fee.
Hike Overview:
Attributable to a late begin on a Sunday morning (Mom’s Day), I used to be on the lookout for a hike shut by the place the parking space wouldn’t be crammed by the point we received there. Though the parking space can solely accommodate 4 or 5 vehicles, once we arrived shortly earlier than 10am, there was just one automotive within the small parking space.
parking space – Dater Mountain Nature Park
This Lollipop Loop features a detour to Virtually Perpendicular, simply past the park’s northeastern border with Harriman State Park. This add-on is price the additional mileage and elevation acquire that it takes to get there. It additionally gives the most effective view on this explicit hike.
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
This Lollipop Loop follows the Orange Path till it’s terminus at a junction with the white-blazed Kakiat Path, then turning left on the Blue Disc Path to Virtually Perpendicular, the turnaround spot. From there, retracing steps again to the Orange and Blue Trails junction, persevering with on Blue till its terminus at a junction with the Orange Path and retracing steps again to the parking space.
Dater Mountain Nature Park
The added elevation acquire and steepness of the Blue Disc Path to Virtually Perpendicular, will increase the extent of problem. This detour into Harriman State Park may be skipped, conserving the hike solely in Dater Mountain Nature Park, making it a shorter and more easy hike.
elevation profile – Dater Mountain Nature Park
The Hike:
To the left of the parking space, there’s a triple-orange blaze on a rock. This marks the beginning of the Orange Path. Observe the Orange Path because it parallels Johnsontown Street a brief distance earlier than it turns sharp proper. The Orange Path now begins a somewhat steep ascent on a footpath.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
As you close to the crest of the hill, you’ll discover a triple-blue blaze on a tree to the left. This marks the beginning of the Blue Path, which might be your return route, however for now, proceed alongside the Orange Path, which turns sharply proper. After climbing slightly extra, the Orange Path descends to cross a small stream in a slim hole, with a rock ledge looming above.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
The path continues to climb till you attain a panoramic south-facing viewpoint from open rocks to the proper of the path. You’ll be able to see the hills of Harriman State Park, with the Reeves Brook Customer Middle seen in your proper when there aren’t any leaves on the timber.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Proceed alongside the Orange Path, which ranges off for a brief distance, then continues to climb. Once you attain the peak of the land, there’s a view of Dater Mountain from open rocks about 50 ft to the proper of the path.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
The Orange Path now descends to succeed in an intersection with the Blue Path, which begins on the left. Flip proper right here and proceed following the Orange Path, heading northeast alongside a nice woods street.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
In about 0.3 mile, after crossing an open space the place the path traverses a slab of bedrock, the Orange Path ends at a T-intersection with the white-blazed Kakiat Path. Flip proper and observe the white blazes alongside a woods street, quickly getting into Harriman State Park.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
terminus of Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Kakiat Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Kakiat Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
In about 450 yards from the junction with the Orange Path, the Kakiat Path crosses a woods street, the route of the blue-on-white blazed Blue Disc Path. Flip left right here, leaving the Kakiat Path and start following the blue-on-white blazes.
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
The Blue Disc Path now begins a steep climb alongside the woods street. About midway up, it turns proper, crosses a stream, and climbs much more steeply over rocks.
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Roughly 1.7 miles from the beginning of the hike, you’ve reached the highest of Virtually Perpendicular, a dramatic viewpoint from the highest of a cliff. You’ll be able to see Seven Lakes Drive instantly under, with the Ramapo Mountains within the background.
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Virtually Perpendicular, a reputation given to a cliff on Dater Mountain in Harriman State Park by the Recent Air Membership in in 1936.
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Since that is your flip round spot, if you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps on the Blue Disc Path, descending steeply.
Virtually Perpendicular – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Blue Disc Path – Harriman State Park
Once you return to the junction with the Kakiat Path, flip proper and observe the white blazes again to the junction with the Orange Path and switch left.
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Observe the orange blazes again to the junction with the Blue Path and proceed straight on Blue because the Orange Path leaves to the left.
Proceed straight on Blue Path
Proceed straight on Blue Path
Observe the Blue Path alongside a woods street. Simply past the intersection, you’ll cross a stream, the outlet of a wetland on the left. You’ll go a number of wetlands alongside this part of the path. As you proceed, you’ll start to listen to the sounds of site visitors on the New York State Thruway, under to the proper, which develop louder as you method Sleater Hill.
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
About three-quarters of a mile from the beginning of the Blue Path, the woods street adopted by the path curves sharply to the left. Right here, a aspect street to the proper leads a brief distance to a big glacial erratic and a panoramic west-facing viewpoint at an influence line tower. The Thruway is instantly under, the Village of Sloatsburg is simply past, and the hills of the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey and Sterling Forest in New York are within the distance. It is a great place to take a break.
Flip proper to west-facing viewpoint
west-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
west-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
west-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
west-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
west-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Once you’re able to proceed, return to the Blue Path and switch proper. Simply past, the Blue Path leaves the woods street and continues on a footpath. It climbs Sleater Hill, passing simply to the proper of the summit, after which descends, quickly reaching a rock outcrop on the proper which presents a south-facing view over the Mirror Lake space of Sloatsburg, with the Thruway seen on the proper when there aren’t any leaves on the timber.
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Please be aware: the path turns sharp proper, however a effectively outlined, however unmarked path continues forward. This flip is straightforward to overlook.
flip sharp proper to stay on Blue Path
south-facing viewpoint – Dater Mountain Nature Park
The Blue Path continues to descend. After crossing a woods street, it ranges off, then resumes a gradual descent, ending at an intersection with the Orange Path. Bear proper onto the Orange Path and observe it downhill, retracing your steps to the parking space the place the hike started.
Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Terminus of Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Terminus of Blue Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Orange Path – Dater Mountain Nature Park
Assessment:
A very good hike the place we encountered only a few hikers. The views from Virtually Perpendicular are spectacular and just about the spotlight of the hike. Dater Mountain Nature Park is effectively maintained and the paths are simple to observe. We encountered a household of 4 moving into the wrong way alongside the Blue Path and nobody else your entire time there. The views are good and the park is price a go to to keep away from the crowds.
Professionals:
Virtually Perpendicular, scenic views, glacial erratics, effectively marked trails, litter free.
Cons:
Thruway noise may be heard alongside the Blue Path.
Take a hike!
Dater Mountain Nature Park
Sources:
