Introduction
The Major Welch Loop Trail is a moderate day hike in Bear Mountain – Harriman State Parks, Hudson Valley, NY
All Trails link to Major Welch loop trail hike
Basic Information
Date of hike: January 4, 2020
Difficulty level: moderate
Distance: 3.8 miles round trip
Approximate hiking time: 3 hours
Elevation gain: 1,154 feet
Location: Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks, Hudson Valley, NY
Parking: parking lot for a fee charged during summer season
Our rating: 4+ stars – beautiful views, good workout
Where Did Major Welch Trail Loop Hike Get Its Name?
The Bear Mountain Major Welch Loop Trail hike was named after an American engineer and environmentalist, Major William Addams Welch. Major Welch did major work on the design and construction of many parks’ infrastructures between 1912 and 1940.
Our Impressions
This beautiful hike was completely unplanned. As amateur hikers, we had no idea that winter hiking was a “thing” and that it is mesmerizing. The first part of the day was rainy and dreary so we went out for a drive to get out of the house.
While driving around Bear Mountain we noticed a cute Bear Mountain Inn. Since the drizzle started to dissipate, we decided to go investigate and stumbled upon the Major Welch trail. This trail is part of the Appalachian Trail that runs from Georgia to Canada.
Despite the cloudy weather conditions and poor visibility, it was beautiful and refreshing. We named this hike the “New Year Mount Olympus” hike as we were hiking above the clouds. Never underestimate the beauty of nature on a gloomy day.
