Parker Cabin/Black Rock Mountain Loop from Route 106

Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks

West-facing view from the Nurian Trail on Black Rock Mountain - Photo by Daniel Chazin West-facing view from the Nurian Trail on Black Rock Mountain - Photo by Daniel Chazin

This loop hike climbs five peaks, with several good views, and much up-and-down hiking.

41.234516, -74.148972

From the parking area, follow the white blazes of the White Bar Trail (horizontal white rectangles, some of which may be marked with the letters "W-B"), which proceeds uphill, heading southwest. (Do not cross Route 106.) When you come to a fork at the top of a rise, bear left and follow the White Bar Trail as it descends rather steeply and then climbs a second hill, known as Carr Pond Mountain...

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Trip Reports

rate experience
September 17, 2020
5
Back Three Years Later . . .
As I searched on September 13, 2020 for a moderate to strenuous hike in the 4-6 mile range, I ended up back here, looking at my own comments from exactly three years earlier. In the first half mile there were a lot of downed trees from the previous August storm that had not yet been cut by the sawyer crew. In most cases, hikers had already created spontaneous detours around the trail-blocks. I found most of the description accurate with the same exception: just after Parker Cabin Hollow and the wooden bridge, the trail joins an old woods road turning left, but you will also see orange blazes turning right that mark the start of the Parker Cabin Hollow Trail heading to the west - that made me think twice (again) before turning left/east on the White Bar trail. Late in the hike I was careful this time to anticipate the start of the Nurian trail from the R-D trail where one must turn left up and over the open rock viewpoint to continue on Nurian. I think this spot is one of my favorite viewpoints in Harriman. Heading down from the rock outcrop, watch carefully for blazes, as there are various offshoots of the trail in the first tenth of a mile. As always, I really enjoyed the open stretches of the R-D trail, following glacial striations and getting regular views. In this season of COVID-19, on a beautiful hiking day, there were a fair number of fellow hikers and a lot of campers near the Tom Jones shelter, all but a few following guidelines for masks and distance. I also verified the 5.0 mile distance with an AllTrails recording, and recorded a total ascent of about 1,400 feet.
glennagrube
September 11, 2017
4
Great 3-Hour Hike From Easier Parking
Took this loop in early September 2017, and found the description to be accurate. There are a number of ups and downs, but not that tough and ascents are not so long. A few comments on the description: just after Parker Cabin Hollow and the wood bridge the trail joins an old woods road but you will also see orange blazes that mark the start of the Parker Cabin Hollow Trail heading to the west - that made me think twice before turning left/east on the White Bar trail. Later, I had to search (like the previous reviewer) for the start of the Nurian trail from the R-D trail. The three three blazes of the start of Nurian are prominent, but one must turn left up and over the open rock viewpoint to continue on Nurian. Watch carefully for blazes, as there are various offshoots of the trail in the first tenth of a mile. As always, I really enjoyed the open stretches of the R-D trail, following glacial striations and getting regular views. Be careful crossing Route 106 in motorcycle season.
glennagrube
February 25, 2017
4
Tough one, but worth it
Enjoyed the hike on a way too early Spring day on 25 Feb. R106 was closed, but we took the chance drove past the barriers and found the road clear. I suspect they close it over the winter because they don't plow the snow. Unlike last weekend's slashy hike in Sterling, there was no sign of snow today. There are lot of ups and downs and some are a decent climb. The views are worth it. Make sure you swing by the shelter which you will see to the right, .15 mile after you crossed the Victory trial. Don't be tempted to head straight back to your car when you get to R106. Cross it a little lower to the right and enjoy the gradual climb to the top of Black Rock. Make sure you turn left when you see the blazes for the start of the White trail. I saw the Red blaze, that we were on, and three White blazes and for some reason ignored it. Hike about .25 mile until I realized that we're going in the wrong direction. Would love to do it in the late summer again.
jacolouis
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