Almost Perpendicular/Claudius Smith Den Loop

Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks

View from Claudius Smiths Rock - Almost Perpendicular/Claudius Smith Den Loop - Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks - Photo: Daniel Chazin View from Claudius Smiths Rock - Almost Perpendicular/Claudius Smith Den Loop - Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks - Photo: Daniel Chazin Almost Perpendicular - Claudius Smith Den Loop - 2 miles from the start of the Blue Disc Trail, view from CM Rock - Photo Anneliese van der Wilt Almost Perpendicular - Claudius Smith Den Loop - 2 miles from the start of the Blue Disc Trail, view from CM Rock - Photo Anneliese van der Wilt

This loop hike climbs to two dramatic viewpoints - Almost Perpendicular and Claudius Smith's Rock - and goes through the interesting Elbow Brush.

41.179887, -74.163916

From the cul-de-sac, walk back on Johnsontown Road for about 100 feet, crossing a bridge over a stream. Just west of the bridge, you will see three blue-on-white blazes on a tree, which mark the start of the Blue Disc Trail. Turn right and follow this trail up a paved road, passing a huge boulder on the left and crossing the route of a gas pipeline. 

Soon, you’ll notice on the right a...

Prepare For Your Hike

Let's Go

Trip Reports

rate experience
November 13, 2018
0
In what respect were my directions unclear?
<p>You quote a fairly long excerpt from my description and say that it is unclear and that "the directions could be better."&nbsp; Could you advise in what respect you consider the directions unclear, and how they could be improved?&nbsp; You indicate that you must have made a wrong turn because you hiked 8.1 miles, but you don't say where you made a wrong turn.&nbsp; If my directions are incorrect or unclear, I want to correct or improve them, but you haven't indicated in any way what the problem is.</p> <p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Daniel Chazin</p>
Daniel Chazin
November 12, 2018
3
8.1 miles?
So I would agree with one post above that the first part of the hike is bar far the best. The cliffs and rock formations are awesome and the kids really liked that. I am pretty certain we took a wrong turn because we hiked 8.1 miles! I think here is where the directions became unclear: "It then climbs over a low ridge and descends through a rocky area to cross Spring Brook and reach a junction with the White Bar Trail, which comes in from the left. Continue ahead on a woods road, now following both the red-dash-on-white blazes of the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail and the horizontal white blazes of the White Bar Trail. After passing a marsh to the right, the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail leaves to the left, but you should continue ahead along the woods road, following the White Bar Trail. After descending through laurel, the White Bar Trail turns right just before reaching Seven Lakes Drive. Take care to follow the horizontal white blazes, which briefly join several woods roads. After proceeding along a narrow woods road, the White Bar Trail again comes near Seven Lakes Drive. Here, the trail bears right and joins the Old Johnsontown Road" I would do the trail again and maybe it was just us but the directions could be better. Also, because of all the rain we've had recently it was a muddy mess so bring your boots! :)
V_Cioni
September 12, 2018
4
Fun rock formations!
A pretty hike with great views and lots of really interesting rock formations along the way!
justalizmartin
Log in or register to post comments