Hike Reviews

The bridge was fixed when we did this hike on June 4, 2017! We parked in the auxiliary parking about 1/4 mile north of the Fort Montgomery site (to leave its tiny parking lot for its visitors). Auxiliary parking is on the east side of 9W, and the trailhead is on the west side; the east side of 9W has a sidewalk all the way, and I recommend staying on that side until just before the bridge over Popolopen Gorge because cars are moving very quickly. That said, dashing across 9W was not a problem at 9:15 a.m. on a Sunday morning. We missed the trailhead boulders but saw a clearing at the 9Wfork, ventured in and picked up the blaze -- white with red center. (Maybe we turned too soon? Or the boulders were removed in the bridge construction and haven't been replaced?) I definitely recommend the clockwise direction for this route; this lets you go up the rock scrambles to the torne and then mostly hike rather than scramble down at a flatter pitch. (The path to the peak is a tight U, and on a wet day you can also avoid the rocks altogether by doing an out-and-back on the exit arm of the U; turn left at the road and walk about 1/8 mile to the kiosk on the right.) The first time we did this hike, in 2016, we missed the sharp upward left turn about 1/4 of the way into the hike but knew to look for it this time and easily saw the cairn and double blaze. The descent from the tome took a little while to find both times; you have to double back to the south and can miss the first blaze. This time, we missed the turn at the very end and ended up walking 5-10 minutes the wrong way on Firefighters Memorial Drive; not a big deal.

<p>I did this hike with my small (26 pounds) dog for the first time on November 7, 2015.</p> <p>The description on this page, while quite verbose, was very clear and helpful. &nbsp;I found the trail to be well-marked and only had trouble spotting a blaze once or twice, and probably because I let the dog lead instead of looking where I was going. &nbsp;</p> <p>We did the hike in 3 hours, without much stopping, aside from taking in the beautiful views at the summit. &nbsp;The climb down from the summit was quite difficult with the dog, and I wound up actually sliding down a rock face for a good 5 feet, and so did the dog...not a good time! &nbsp;When approaching the summit, there are ropes to help those who need assistance, and I think ropes would have been beneficial for the descent side as well. &nbsp;It may be easier to climb that side of the summit going up, so maybe next time, I'll do this hike in reverse. &nbsp;</p> <p>I'm actually glad that the viaduct was closed due to construction, as the other way to get back to the parking area gives you great up-close views of the Bear Mountain Bridge, and you cross over the water for more great picture/view opportunities.&nbsp;</p> <p>I look forward to doing this hike again in the spring, summer and earlier in the fall when there's more foliage and colors!</p>

<p>We did this trail in the winter, and it was a good workout in the snow. A lovely contrast of hiking through a valley/gorge and summiting the Torne.</p> <p>The hike description states that "After about two-thirds of a mile along the West Point Aqueduct, you'll reach a trail junction." That's technically true, but in the direction that you're walking, you will not actually see that you're at a junction. If you turn around and face the other direction, this is what you would see: <a title="Don't Miss The Timp-Torne Trail From 1777W Trail &amp; 1779 Trail, East by Karen Peterson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kleepet/14956593918"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3837/14956593918_7f547c3bd0_n.jpg" alt="Don't Miss The Timp-Torne Trail From 1777W Trail &amp; 1779 Trail, East" width="320" height="213"></a></p> <p>(That's the aqueduct/1777W/1779 Trail on the right, which is where you're coming from. The Timp-Torne Trail has its blaze missing. If you were doing the hike as described, you would be facing the camera, walking towards me, and the hike recommends that "<span style="background-color: #edefd9; color: #111111; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">you should turn sharply right," which will take you up along the left side of this photo.)</span></p> <p>It's likely you'll miss this junction. But actually, that's OK. The next opportunity that you have is still another sharp right, but it's a little more noticeable, being more of a stone stairway.</p> <p>Again, this is what it looks like facing the opposite direction of how the hike description states (you would be walking towards the camera on the right side of this photo):</p> <p>&nbsp;<a title="Don't Miss The Timp-Torne Trail From 1777W Trail &amp; 1779 Trail, West by Karen Peterson, on Flickr" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kleepet/15120156456"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3912/15120156456_cf730a417d_n.jpg" alt="Don't Miss The Timp-Torne Trail From 1777W Trail &amp; 1779 Trail, West" width="320" height="213"></a></p> <p>You'll know you missed both of these turnoffs if you see the bridge over the creek. Should that occur,&nbsp;turn around, and then you'll see this exact view, which is very close to the bridge. I recommend going up in this direction--the stone stairway--because it's steeper, and I prefer to go up steeply and down more gradually. If you disagree, then do as the hike description recommends, which is the first photo above.</p> <p>Enjoy!</p>

<p>I just hiked the gorge and torne today albeit in reverse from the NYNJTC hike description. &nbsp;All the trails were marked and the fork to the bridge was obvious from the south side of the creek. &nbsp;As one commenter said, back track if you lose the trail markers because they are there and obvious enough. &nbsp;The trail on the south side of the creek is marked with a red square within a white square. &nbsp;The trail down to the bridge across the creek and up to the torne and back down again is a blue blaze. &nbsp; After coming down the torne on the back side to Mine Road, there is a hikers parking area from which you walk down to the acqueduct trail that heads back to Fort Montgomery. &nbsp;At this point the easiest thing is to follow the 1777/1779 blazes all the way back to Fort Montgomery. &nbsp;This route uses short bits of Mine Road in a residential area twice from which it returns to the woods. &nbsp;Just keep heading east, watching for the trail blazes first on the left then the right. &nbsp;The view from the top of the torne is great. &nbsp;The scramble wasn't as bad as I expected, but there are a couple places where you do need to boost yourself up onto the next slope of rock. &nbsp;Even my medium sized dog made it up without much problem. &nbsp;Just take your time and watch your footing and hand holds. &nbsp;It's not a cliff; &nbsp;I get vertigo and this didn't phase me at all.</p>

<p>I'll keep this one short.&nbsp;</p> <p>Directions are very good, blazes are almost always visible, just pay attention and if you feel lost, stop and go back to the last blaze, look ahead for the next one!</p> <p>The top of the Torne is the absolute best place I've been to all Summer, and that's saying a lot :)</p> <p>Will try to make this a monthly trek in each direction.</p> <p>Aother fine job by the Trail Conference.</p>

<p>I recommend skipping this trail until somebody decides to mark it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sounds really easy above to get to the start of the trail, but it is NOT.&nbsp; The start of one trail begins off of Mccoy Road, which isnt even stated above.&nbsp;</p> <p>We wasted ALOT of time up and down trails to find our way back and up to the top for the views.&nbsp; The trails are not well marked at all.&nbsp; What they definetely need are small wooden signs stating which way is Timp-Torne trail; to Popolen Creek; to the top of Popolen etc etc.&nbsp; Mine Road was a long walk on macadem.&nbsp; If it wasn't for some seasoned hikers we may have never made it to the top.&nbsp; We've been hiking for over 30 years, but this was not easy to find and follow.&nbsp; It's No wonder there were not more hikers out on a beautiful day, their probably stil looking for the entrance to the trail.&nbsp; It was beautiful at the top, I&nbsp; just hope you get there!</p>

I have wanted to do this hike for a while and decided to park at Bear Mountian Lodge and take the Fort Montgomery trail to avoid walking on the road. Unfortunately I was there before the Zoo opened (it was a shock to me that part of the AT could actually be closed!) so had to go up to the bridge and take the blue trail. Then I discovered that the gate to the Fort Montgomery trail was locked (it was 9:53 by now and the trail was supposed to open at 9). I think I was spotted because within minutes of my arrival, someone arrived to open it. From there it was easy to find all trails. The view from the top of the Torne is magnificent though the descent is a little disconcerting . I decided to take 1777 to the AT and climb up to the Perkins Tower - I wanted to see the newly completed AT back to the Bear Mtn parking lot. My aching legs tell me that combining two strenuous hikes in a ten + miler was not my brightest move, but it was worth it! Least enjoyable part is actually the AT on Perkins Drive.

I did this hike last week, and the above comment is not correct.  The hike is correct as written.  The Timp-Torne Trail does climb the hill on a woods road, rather than a stone staircase, and the double blaze indicating the turn is visible in the direction of the hike.  The writer of the above comment missed the first turnoff of the Timp-Torne Trail; her comments are applicable to the second turnoff, which is where the hike route returns to the Aqueduct route.  Just keep a careful eye for the turnoff, and you should be able to follow the hike as written.