Bear Mountain, Appalachian Trail

Crossing into New Jersey, I steadily climbed toward Sunfish Pond, one of the state's glacial lakes. The path to the ridge offered a gradual incline, with trees providing just enough cover to make the heat bearable. Reaching the pond's western edge, I was greeted by its still, deep blue waters, reflecting the quietness of the surrounding forest.

From the ridge, I caught a glimpse of Lower Yards Creek Reservoir, a popular spot for fishing. The reservoir's surface barely rippled, making me wonder if the fish below were just as still. I pressed on to the Catfish Fire Tower, painted in striking red and white. Someone once called these fire towers "sentinels of the ridge tops". Standing beneath this one, I could see why. Although the cab was closed with no ranger on duty, the climb was still worth it for the views along the Kittatinny Ridge.

Next, I took a detour to Crater Lake. The cool, clear water was impossible to resist, calling for a quick dip to wash away the trail dust, followed by a quiet lunch. Right next to it was Lake Success, where I stopped for some photos. 

Back on the trail, the woods opened at Napple Ridge. I was greeted by overgrown grasses and low brush, giving me a brief change of scenery before reaching Culvers Gap, where lakes seemed to appear in every direction—Culver Lake, Kittatinny Lake, and Lake Owassa. After days of dense woods, this was a refreshing change. 

The Culver Fire Tower was another highlight, also painted in red and white, standing tall with impressive views over the Kittatinny Ridge and Stokes State Forest. It was easy to imagine rangers perched there, scanning the horizon for the first sign of smoke

I took a well-deserved pause when I reached High Point Monument near Lake Marcia. The view stretched over three states—New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. About 7mi (11km) west is the tri-state border marked by a monument. Less than half a mile (800m) north, just before the New York border, the trail curved right and followed alongside it until I reached Greenwood Lake, where I officially stepped into New York, my ninth state on this journey.

Then came the Lemon Squeezer—a name that practically demands a smile. True to its name, it's a tight squeeze between two massive boulders that forces you to shimmy through, only to be rewarded with a scenic view on the other side. Whoever named it had a sense of humour, and I couldn't help but grin as I squeezed through.

The final stretch took me to Perkins Memorial Tower, a sturdy stone structure dedicated to George W. Perkins, a conservationist who helped establish the park. Bear Mountain itself, the heart of Bear Mountain State Park, was made possible through the generosity of Mary Averell Harriman, who donated 10,000 acres and a million dollars to create the park after her husband's death. Perkins raised an additional $1.5 million from notable contributors, including John D. Rockefeller.

Standing at Bear Mountain, I reflected on the history surrounding the Appalachian Trail. This stretch near Bear Mountain was where it all began, with the first completed section of the trail opening here in October 1923. It served as the blueprint for the entire trail that so many have traversed since. 

Before I called it a day, I had to step onto Bear Mountain Bridge to experience the lowest elevation on the trail at just 124ft (38m). As I stood there, looking down over the Hudson River, I thought of all those who had walked this path before me and the many who would follow after me.