Bearfort Mountain Loop

Bearfort Mountain is a great weekend morning hike that borders NJ and NY. Parking can be tricky as the entrance to the lot looks like it is Greenwood Lake Marina's boat storage area. Once parked, find the trail entrance at the top of the little hill and continue to the blue on white marked trail. As the trail steeply climbs (1,200-1,250ft in 0.8 miles), be on the look out for the Ernest Walker Trail on the left (Yellow markers on trees or rocks). From here the trail brings you up the rock ridge-line with awesome views to the summit. On clear days you can get a glimpse of the NYC skyline.

After taking in the views continue to follow the Yellow marked trail into the forest where after about a half mile Surprise Lake appears. This is a great place for lunch or a short snack/hydration break. Periodically you will get planes that fly low over the lake making for a great photo op.

Continuing to follow the Yellow marked trail, you will enter the rhododendron tunnel that will then lead you down a tight short passageway. Note, some of the Yellow paint on the trail has been very worn down so make sure you are always on the lookout for the next marker

Be on the lookout for a section where the trail forks. You ultimately will want to go left but follow the little footpath right for a nice cliff overlooking another lake. Follow that footpath back to the fork and continue on. After the short decline you will come to an area that can be pretty wet depending on the season you are hiking.

Finally, the Yellow Trail will meet back up with the Blue over White Trail, turn to the right to take it all the way back down to the parking lot. You will go down the steep hill you came up originally.