Get DirectionsTo the left of the parking area, you’ll notice a triple-orange blaze on a rock. This marks the start of a trail system established in 2005 on land acquired by Rockland County and added to Dater Mountain Nature Park. Follow the Orange Trail as it climbs along a woods road. Be alert for a right turn where the trail leaves the road and...
Hike Description:
To the left of the parking area, you’ll notice a triple-orange blaze on a rock. This marks the start of a trail system established in 2005 on land acquired by Rockland County and added to Dater Mountain Nature Park. Follow the Orange Trail as it climbs along a woods road. Be alert for a right turn where the trail leaves the road and continues rather steeply uphill on a footpath.
As you near the crest of the hill, you’ll notice a triple-blue blaze on a tree. This marks the start of the Blue Trail, which will be your return route, but for now, continue along the Orange Trail, which turns sharply right. After climbing a little more, the Orange Trail descends to cross a small stream in a narrow hollow, with a rock ledge looming above.
The trail continues to climb until you reach a panoramic south-facing viewpoint from open rocks to the right of the trail. You can see the hills of Harriman State Park, with the Reeves Brook Visitor Center visible on your right when there are no leaves on the trees.
Continue along the Orange Trail, which levels off for a short distance, then continues to climb. When you reach the height of the land, there is a view of Dater Mountain from open rocks about 50 feet to the right of the trail.
The Orange Trail now descends to reach an intersection with the Blue Trail. Turn left here and follow the Blue Trail along a woods road. Just beyond the intersection, you'll cross a stream – the outlet of a wetland on the left. You'll pass several wetlands along this section of the trail. As you continue, you’ll begin to hear the sounds of traffic on the New York State Thruway, below to the right, which grow louder as you approach Sleater Hill.
About three-quarters of a mile from the start of the Blue Trail, the woods road followed by the trail curves sharply to the left. Here, a side road to the right leads a short distance to a large glacial erratic and a panoramic west-facing viewpoint at a power line tower. The Thruway is directly below, the Village of Sloatsburg is just beyond, and the hills of the Ramapo Mountains in New Jersey and Sterling Forest in New York are in the distance. This is a good spot to take a break.
When you’re ready to continue, return to the Blue Trail and turn right. Just beyond, the Blue Trail leaves the woods road and continues on a footpath. It climbs Sleater Hill, passing just to the right of the summit, and then descends, soon reaching a rock outcrop on the right which offers a south-facing view over the Mirror Lake area of Sloatsburg, with the Thruway visible on the right when there are no leaves on the trees.
The Blue Trail continues to descend. After crossing a woods road, it levels off, then resumes a gradual descent, ending at an intersection with the Orange Trail. Bear right onto the Orange Trail and follow it downhill, retracing your steps to the parking area where the hike began.
To view a photo collection for this hike, click here.
Publication: Submitted by Daniel Chazin on 09/15/2011
This hike loops around Dater Mountain Nature Park, passing several panoramic viewpoints.
41.172414, -74.175755
Rockland Co., NY
3 mi
2 hrs
Buy Book: Harriman Trails: A Guide and History
Avenza App Map: Harriman-Bear Mountain 118
Hike Checklist:
Whether you are going for a day hike or backpacking overnight, it is good practice to carry what we call The Hiking Essentials. These essentials will help you enjoy your outing more and will provide basic safety gear if needed. There may also be more essentials, depending on the season and your needs.
The Essentials
Hiking Shoes or Boots
Water - Two quarts per person is recommended in every season. Keep in mind that fluid loss is heightened in winter as well as summer. Don't put yourself in the position of having to end your hike early because you have run out of water.
Map - Know where you are and where you are going. Many of our hiking areas feature interconnecting network of trails. Use a waterproof/tear-resistant Tyvek Trail Conference map if available or enclose your map in a Ziplock plastic bag. If you have a mobile device, download Avenza’s free PDF Maps app and grab some GPS-enhanced Trail Conference maps (a backup Tyvek or paper version of the map is good to have just in case your batteries die or you don't have service). Check out some map-reading basics here.
Food - Snacks/lunch will keep you going as you burn energy walking or climbing. Nuts, seeds, and chocolate are favorites on the trail.
Sunscreen and insect repellent
Rain Gear and Extra Clothing - Rain happens. So does cold. Be prepared for changing weather. Avoid cotton--it traps water against your skin and is slow to dry. If you are wearing wet cotton and must return to your starting point, you risk getting chills that may lead to a dangerous hypothermia. Choose synthetic shirts, sweaters and/or vests and dress in layers for easy on and off.
Compass - A simple compass is all you need to orient you and your map to magnetic north.
Light - A flashlight or small, lightweight headlamp will be welcome gear if you find yourself still on the trail when darkness falls. Check the batteries before you start out and have extras in your pack.
First Aid Kit - Keep it simple, compact, and weatherproof. Know how to use the basic components.
Firestarter and Matches - In an emergency, you may need to keep yourself or someone else warm until help arrives. A firestarter (this could be as simple as leftover birthday candles that are kept inside a waterproof container) and matches (again, make sure to keep them in a waterproof container) could save a life.
Knife or Multi-tool - You may need to cut a piece of moleskin to put over a blister, repair a piece of broken equipment, or solve some other unexpected problem.
Emergency Numbers - Know the emergency numbers for the area you're going to and realize that in many locations--especially mountainous ones, your phone will not get reception.
Common Sense - Pay attention to your environment, your energy, and the condition of your companions. Has the weather turned rainy? Is daylight fading? Did you drink all your water? Did your companion fail to bring rain gear? Are you getting tired? Keep in mind that until you turn around you are (typically) only half-way to completing your hike--you must still get back to where you started from! (Exceptions are loop hikes.)
Check the weather forecast before you head out. Know the rules and regulations of the area.
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you'll visit.
- Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies.
- Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.
- Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
- Repackage food to minimize waste.
- Use a map and compass to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Durable surfaces include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses or snow.
- Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
- Good campsites are found, not made. Altering a site is not necessary.
- In popular areas:
- Concentrate use on existing trails and campsites.
- Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy.
- Keep campsites small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent.
- In pristine areas:
- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails.
- Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.
- Pack it in, pack it out. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out all trash, leftover food and litter.
- Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
- Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
- To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.
- Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.
- Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
- Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.
- Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.
- Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the backcountry. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.
- Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.
- Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.
- Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.
- Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
- Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
- Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.
- Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors
- Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
- Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail.
- Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
- Take breaks and camp away from trails and other visitors.
- Let nature's sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
The Trail Conference is a 2015 Leave No Trace partner.
(c) Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics: www.LNT.org.
Directions to Trailhead
Public TransportationDirections to Trailhead :
Take N.J. Route 17 north to the New York State Thruway and take the first exit, Exit 15A (Sloatsburg). Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto N.Y. Route 17 north, and continue through the Village of Sloatsburg. About half a mile past the village, turn right at a temporary traffic light, cross the railroad tracks, and continue along Washington Avenue for 0.5 mile to a T-intersection with Seven Lakes Drive. Turn left, passing under the Thruway. In a short distance, before reaching a large sign “Welcome to Harriman State Park,” turn left at a sign for Johnsontown Road, immediately reaching a T-intersection. Turn right and continue for 0.3 mile to a small parking turnout on the left side of the road, at a light green sign for the “NYS Environmental Protection Fund.”
TRAIN TRANSPORT :
Not availableBUS TRANSPORT :
Not available
Give $10 to support trails.
December 31, 1969
19:00 pm
Trip Reports
rate experience May 20, 2016
Great hike but beware of snakes
<p>This hike was beautiful and not too strenuous! Took about 2 hours, and there was quite a bit of uphill! The views are amazing. BUT, beware! I was there on May 19th, 2016 and i had a run in with about 5-7 three feet long thick black rattle snakes!! they were a foot away from the path on the right and when I was about two feet away I heard a rattle and noticed a pile of them. I then saw one cross the path in front of me. I didn't have any issues but i have concluded from my post hike internet search that they were probably timber rattlesnakes. Though I cannot be sure, those snakes look just like the ones I saw and though uncommon they can be found in the area, and they are poisonous. So watch out if you take this hike, but I will say that even with my frightening snake experience I still really enjoyed this hike!</p>