HikerPerkins Memorial Tower · Bear Mountain Hiking Guide
A summit outing that can also relate to the Downstate 28er checklist.
Make this outing your own
Choose the hiking approach before deciding what the summit stop will look like. A road-accessible destination makes it especially useful to record how you arrived. Keep the walk and the tower visit as separate details in your journal, and leave the drive home or a town stop out of the hiking mileage.
- Trailhead / approach
- Bear Mountain State Park; choose a hiking approach from the park map.
- Distance note
- Organizer-suggested route; approximate mileage. Confirm your chosen approach.
Before you head out
Hike to the destination for this challenge. Driving up the summit road does not qualify.
Keep these essentials in your plan
- Save the official map and directions while you have reception.
- Tell someone your route and expected return, and set a turnaround time.
- Pack water, food, layers and a headlamp for the full outing.
- Check current closures, permits, weather and parking with the land manager.
Read the landscape
Notice how a summit reached by both road and trail feels different depending on your approach; include that approach in your trip report.
After the hike
Leave the town stop flexible until you are back at the car. Add your actual route, date and useful trail observations to your journal; confirm current opening hours before making a separate food or history stop.
Town, food & history planning sources
- Hudson Valley · town and trip planning ↗
- Orange County · food and places to visit ↗
- Ulster County · regional visitor information ↗
These are regional planning resources, not verified nearby or currently open businesses. Check the actual drive and opening hours.
Keep exploring this collection
Ferncliff Fire Tower Hiking Guide
A shorter tower outing; choose your route using the preserve map.
Route notes, maps & local exploring →
Roosa Gap Fire Tower Hiking Guide
A local ridge outing to a lookout above the Wurtsboro area.
Route notes, maps & local exploring →Sky Top Tower Hiking Guide
A lookout visit on private resort land. Plan the approach from your actual admission point.
Route notes, maps & local exploring →