1777E/Doodletown Bridle Path Loop from Route 9W

Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks

1777E/Doodletown Bridle Path Loop from Route 9W - Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks - Photo: Daniel Chazin 1777E/Doodletown Bridle Path Loop from Route 9W - Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks - Photo: Daniel Chazin

This hike follows pleasant woods roads through the abandoned hamlet of Doodletown and loops back on the Doodletown Bridle Path.

41.300786, -73.985924

From the parking area, walk back across the bridge. On the left (west) side of the road, turn left at a sign for "Doodletown" and proceed uphill on an old road with crumbling pavement. This road, known as Doodletown Road, led into the hamlet of Doodletown, which was abandoned in 1965. Small historic markers along the way identify various former buildings and their occupants.

The road...

Prepare For Your Hike

Let's Go

Trip Reports

rate experience
January 19, 2020
4
Harder than described and also got lost
First, this was a pretty difficult hike because so much was uphill. The directions on the bridal path were very confusing at least in the snow. We wound up circling back several times trying to find the landmarks to no avail. We just couldn’t follow it and we wound up hiking for 5 hours until we found our way back to the parking. Also the historical signs are broken in many places, which is unfortunate. It is a gorgeous area and in winter almost completely empty of people. Next time I will stop at the information place and get a map.
Mingum
March 22, 2014
0
Suggested Improved Directions & Trail Description
<p>Below are suggestions for improving the Directions and Descriptions for this great hike. I have not had the chance to enjoy this area since childhood - when I do I will update the number of yards below where I left ??? for now.</p> <p><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;">An excellent PDF of the trails around Bear Mountain Stagte Park, including to Doodletown, can be found here:&nbsp;</span><a style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;" href="http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/BearMountainTrailMap.pdf">http://nysparks.com/parks/attachments/BearMountainTrailMap.pdf</a>.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I would replace the driections posted abve with this paragraph:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><strong><span>Driving Directions</span></strong><span>: The simplest access is from a small trailhead just south of the Bear Mt Bridge. It is 1.3 miles south of the Bear Mt Circle on Rte. 9W/202, immediately south of South Entrance Road, and just north of Iona Island Rd. There is a small parking area on the east (river) side of the road, next to a concrete bridge over a small brook called either Timp Brook or Doodle Brook.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="line-height: 14.4pt;">I would replace the first <span style="text-decoration: underline;">two</span> paragrpahs of the trail description above with these <span style="text-decoration: underline;">three</span>:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><strong><span>Description</span></strong><span>: On the west side of the road, Cornell Mine Trail crosses the brook. Follow the trail north (right). Turn left at a sign for "Doodletown" and proceed uphill on an old road with crumbling pavement. This road, known as Doodletown Road has small historic markers that identify various former buildings and their occupants.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span>The road makes a sharp left turn and continues uphill. In about ??? yards, continue straight onto Ski Trail as Cornell Trail breaks to the right. Near the top of the hill, the 77E Trail comes in from the right and joins the road. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="line-height: 14.4pt;">Continue ahead along the road, now following the 77E blazes. After skirting the Doodletown Reservoir (seen as the pond along the Timp Brook here: </span><a style="line-height: 14.4pt;" href="https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2965617,-73.9932192,15z">https://www.google.com/maps/@41.2965617,-73.9932192,15z</a><span style="line-height: 14.4pt;">), you'll reach a T-intersection, where you should turn right onto 77W.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 14.4pt; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span><br></span></p>
Bleeding Heart Libertarian Hiker
October 14, 2013
0
Nice Hike
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I did this hike with my wife and dog on 10/12/13. &nbsp;Very nice hike and description was easy to follow. &nbsp;After passing the reservoir and turning right at the T-intersection a black bear walked onto the path about 50 yards ahead of us.&nbsp; I was pretty surprised at first since we have never encountered one before.&nbsp; We slowly backed up and the bear briefly looked toward us.&nbsp; He or she then slowly continued walking away from us and into the woods.&nbsp; After a few minutes we continued the hike without see it again (thankfully in my opinion!).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">I hope this does not discourage people from hiking, but I think you should be aware and know what to do should you come across one.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">It is called Bear Mountain after all!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><br></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p>
brooksm549
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