Popolopen Torne (The Torne)

Overview

Popolopen Torne is a small steep crag that offers steep hiking and scrambling. It is known as Popolopen Torne or simply as The Torne depending on which map you have. The name Popolopen comes from the creek and gorge that are at the torne's base.

The Torne sides, for the most part are bare rock.Technichial climbing of the rock faces is possible but the faces are not vertical so it is more like scrambling.

There are awesome 360-degree views of Bear Mt. and a good portion of the Hudson Highlands from the summit and a few ledges along the north ridge. The Timp-Torne Trail makes a loop of the mountain. The Timp-Torne Trail traverses Bear Mt. State Park from north to south and is over 11 miles long. It is not required to hike all 11 miles to reach the summit however. The T-T trail goes up and around the Torne as is travles through the Popolopen Gorge. See map for more detial.

Getting There

From I-87 exit at Exit 16 and follow signs for Route 6. Take Route 6 all the way to 9W and turn north on 9W. Take the first left after crossing the bridge (it is a fast turn so be ready). Take the third left (Mine Road) and follow Mine Road about 1.4 mile to the trail head. The trail head is on the left. There is parking for only 2 or 3 cars at the base of the torne. Do not block the gate to the woods road!.!. If the parking lot is full:
Go back down Mine Road. Park at the parking lot at the play ground. Find the blue blazes near Brooks lake and follow them up Mine Road to the torne.It is about 1 mile from Brooks lake to The base of the torne.

Red Tape

Popolopen Torne is in Harriman and Bear Mtn. State Parks and is part of the Palasides Interstate Park Comission.
General Rules:

• No Hunting or Trapping of fish or wildlife in other than apporved areas
• No ATV's
• NO Alcoholic Beverages

Unless you have a permit, you can not;

• camp at unauthorized sites
• use, launch, and store boats of any kind
• perform archaeological digs of any kind.

Unless you are in a designated area you can not;

• ues or ride horses
• build, light,or mintain ANY fire
• have any pets unless they were leashed and muzled and not exceding 6ft. in length
• Use or operate a snowmobile

Camping

Since it is only a 2 mile trip to climb the torne, camping in not needed. There is no camping on the torne.

When to Climb and Current Conditions

When to Climb

The Popolopen Torne can be climbed in any season. I would not recomend climbing the south face after it has rained because the rock slabs on the south face are featureless and require friction for the hiker to climb. In the winter I would recomomend crampons (instep at minimum) and hiking poles (or an ice ax) depending on how much ice and snow are on the torne. It is usually cilmbed and crowded on Spring and Fall weekends and any summer day because of the views.

Current Conditions

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Images

View Popolopen Torne (The Torne) Image Gallery - 15 Images