Getting there:

The train is easy enough. Same deal as to the West side of the Park, switch in Secaucus. There are significantly more frequent trains, some faster than others (between 1h 5 and 1h 25)

General Tips:

• The area strongly favors freestanding tents. The ground is either sloped or rock and stakes need to be supported with rocks. Trekking pole tents are less than ideal.

• I’m pretty sure that trip is not great / likely dangerous in the dark. So in the winter this might not be a good shelter, the first (or last on the way back) half a mile is insanely steep and a scramble that I don’t think is a great idea in complete darkness

• The trip back has less elevation gain so it’s faster and easier

• There was no water source prior to the last 1.5 - 2 miles. But the shelter itself has a spring and a questionably tannic stream right next to it

Trip:

• The walk to the trailhead is simple BUT the trailhead is very hard to spot. It’s literally a sign on a rockwall (Google Maps has the right picture: Suffern - Bear Mountain Trailhead). The trail markers are Yellow Blaze and you’ll follow those all the way to the shelter. It intersects with White Blaze on the last mile-ish but no intersections prior. 

• The first few hundred feet after entering the trailhead are insane. It’s a rock and roots scramble up a very steep hill, passing some sort of tiny homeless camp and gain close to 500ft elevation on the first .4 miles. 

• From there the enjoyable part of the trail starts. Contrary to other trails in the park, this one actually has relatively straight passages without ascent or descents. 

• For the most part the trail is marked well. In some areas though (particularly open woodland) the trail is somewhat lost and markings are less than ideal and I’ve had to bushwack to get back on track. 

• The last 1.5 - 2 miles before the shelter resume the Harriman special of up the mountain down the mountain and are rather annoying / strenuous. 

• On a nice Saturday in the end of July with highs in the low 80s and night time low 60s, I met one couple on trail. I arrived around 6pm and there was one couple occupying the good campsite down the hill, another single hammock camper came 30 minutes after me and in the morning there was a couple camping out directly in front of the shelter. Very chill vibe, I don’t think the shelter would support large groups so it’s likely less frequented

• The night wasn’t great. In parts because around 1.30 - 2.00am, loud music from far away (my guess, cars) was blasting. Not loud enough to not be drowned out by ear plugs, more so I was legit scared that groups of crazy ppl frequent the area and are coming up to the shelter. With more experience there, it’s probably fine. Earplugs would do the trick.