Boy Scouts: Short hike with 1000 ft elev gain in metro NY area?

E

Ellyn

New member
We have several Boy Scouts working on the Camping Merit Badge. We would like to plan a troop hike up a local mountain, to be done while on a camping trip. The hike needs to be more on the short and steep side rather than longer with a slower ascent. We have previously walked up the Palisades at Alpine, but they are not high enough. The Major Welch trail up Bear Mountain is one possibility - I was wondering if anyone knew of any others. Thank you!
 
You brought back memories : )

East of the Bear Mountain Bridge is Anthony's Nose-steep, not sure how short, as it's been years since I did it; also the Appalachian Trail runs across the bridge and I think the Major Welch is steep-hiked it to Perkins Tower - take your camera.

There's also High Point State Park("HP"), Sussex County, NJ, about 1 1/2 hrs out of NYC, the highest point in the state marked by a monument. The Appalachian runs through there as well. Although the Park sits on the Kittatinny Ridge, climbing is minimal, but the view from the HP is outstanding-view of NY/NJ/Pa. Years ago a group of us hiked South from HP to County Route 647, and I remember scaling some boulders(!) but for the most part, it was a flat, being on the Ridge.

Have fun and good luck.
 
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