Tomkins Cove in Rockland County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Discover the Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 23, 2020
1. Discover the Appalachian National Scenic Trail marker
Welcome to the Appalachian Trail
You are standing on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the most famous hiking trail in the United States – Maybe in the world! In 1921, Benton MacKaye, a Massachusetts forester and regional planner, hatched a big idea: a footpath from Maine to Georgia. The Appalachian Trail, he said, would be “a sort of backbone, linking wilderness areas to dwellers in urban areas along the Atlantic Seaboard.” Today, the Trail runs nearly 2.220 miles along the East Coast range known as the Appalachian Mountains.
Built and Maintained by Volunteers
Inspired by MacKay’s vision, hikers and wilderness lovers soon began planning and building the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) with the assistance of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission. In 1923, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference volunteers completed the very first piece of the A.T. here at Bear Mountain. The A.T. is a unit of the National Park System, and is maintained primarily by volunteers who continue to keep the Trail open, safe, and enjoyable for all.
Pathway to Nature’s Beauty
Whether you walk just a short section or
this page online
Grab a trail map and explore: Bear Mountain and neighboring Harriman State Park serve as the gateway to more than 50,000 acres of backcountry habitat.
Erected by Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.
Location. 41° 18.742′ N, 73° 59.499′ W. Marker is in Tomkins Cove, New York, in Rockland County. Marker can be reached from Appalachian Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Bear Mountain State Park, Tomkins Cove NY 10986, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Preserving a National Landmark (here, next to this marker); Palisades Interstate Park (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Fighting at Fort Clinton (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Historic 1777 & 1779 Trails (approx. ¼ mile away); Fighting at Hessian Lake
Photographed By Larry Gertner, October 23, 2020
2. The Appalachian Trail through Bear Mountain State Park
Just follow the white blazes.
More about this marker. "Preserving a National Landmark" in on the opposite side.
Also see . . .
1. Appalachian Trail. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on December 28, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Conservancy website (Submitted on December 28, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, December 21, 2020
3. Inset - Trails in the park
Photographed By NY/NJ Trail Conservancy, Unknown
4. Inset - Benton MacKaye
Benton MacKaye’s desire to build a footpath along the Appalachian Mountains was first detailed in his article “An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning,” published in the October 1921 issue of “Journal of the American Institute of Architects.”
Photographed By NY/NJ Trail Conservancy, Unknown
5. Inset - Marking the Trail
Maj. James A. Welch, who oversaw the construction of the original section of the Appalachian Trail through Bear Mountain and Harriman State parks, designed the “A.T.” arrow and iconic diamond trail marker. Today, the A.T. is marked with white blazes, which are painted on trees and rocks to guide hikers along the path. Few metal diamond markers remain.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 28, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
