Popolopen Gorge Trail to Close Fall '08
Trail to Close for Six Months During
Water Main Replacement Project
Hkers planning outings in Bear Mountain State Park in the fall are advised that the Popolopen Gorge Trail, including the co-aligned trails (Timp Torne, 1777W & 1779) on the south side of the Popolopen Brook and along both sides of Queensboro Creek will be closed for approximately six months, likely beginning in October. The parks department will be replacing the water main between the water filtration plant at Queensboro Lake and the storage tank at Bear Mountain State Park. This water main supplies all of the Bear Mountain complex, the NYS Bridge Authority, and park residences at the bridge circle and in Fort Montgomery.
The main generally follows the route of the Popolopen Gorge Trail. There will be disturbance to the trail from the construction and the trail will be closed while the project is ongoing. The project plan includes restoration of the trail and extensive landscape plantings to replace trees and shrubs removed during construction. A start date for construction is not yet firm, but officials anticipate that the majority of the work will be completed between October 2008 and April 2009.
Because the start date is unknown, park officials suggest hike leaders planning to hike along these trails in the fall have an alternate hike plan in place as of October. Check for updates in advance of your hike at the Trail Conference website or call Bear Mountain State Park at 845-786-2701.
