THIS WEEK:
KAKIAT COUNTY PARK MONTEBELLO, NY
(A) Park entrance, as seen from the street, directly opposite Viola School
(B) Trail entrance from parking lot
(C) The picnic pavilion
NOTE: There are various opinions in Jewish communities about hiking during the Nine Days, so you may wish to consult your rav for guidance.
Many have underestimated the hike difficulty of trails in this park, and over the years there have been many incidents of people ending up lost deep in the adjoining 47,000-acre Harriman State Park. For this reason, in the interest of safety, we are publishing the safest way to hike this area. PARKING: You can route with your GPS to Kakiat Park, or 584 Haverstraw Road, Montebello, NY 10901(A). There is a large parking lot in the park. You should try to park in the marked spaces. If all the marked spaces are filled, it is customary to park along the side all around the parking lot loop (but not on the road leading to the park). There is a bathroom (actually an outhouse) that is currently open, but you might want to use the one at home if you are fussy. ABOUT THE HIKES: There are two loop hikes in this park. The first one is a 2-mile strenuous hike that takes the Orange (Mountain) Trail and returns via the White (Kakiat) Trail. This is a climb 550 feet in elevation, and you need to be in shape for it. This hike offers views of the New York City skyline on a clear day, and streaming brooks at times of high water levels. The second hike takes the Blue (Old Mill) Trail and returns via the White (Kakiat) Trail. This hike is an easy, short 0.75-mile hike suitable for all families and ages. You can plan this as a nice family outing by combining it with viewing the Mahwah River from the bridge or next to it, and picnicking at the picnic pavilion or benches next to the river. Enter the hiking area through a gate across the road that goes over a bridge that crosses the Mahwah River(B). There is a place next to the river on your left where people like to picnic, as well as a park bench. There is no swimming allowed here. Further ahead on your left you can see the picnic pavilion, which currently has every second table covered to reduce occupancy to maintain social distancing(C). MOUNTAIN TRAIL — KAKIAT TRAIL LOOP STRENUOUS 2-MILE LOOP
(D) The Blue Trail is on the right, and the Orange Trail is straight ahead.
140 / THE MONSEY VIEW
As soon as you cross the bridge, the Blue (Old Mill) Trail begins on your right, and the Orange (Mountain)