[Journal entry for April 17, 2012; Long Path and Haverstraw Trail, north of Landing Rd on Hook Mountain] I parked at the tennis courts at the north end of Rockland Lake State Park and took a short side trail up onto the crest of the Hudson Palisades cliffs, where I joined the Long Path. I took it north, past the spot where Dallas and I turned around on our hikle two weeks ago, hoping to find a point where I could look to the north. Unfortunately I could find no clear view north, though I did cross a power line from which I could see both east and west. The trail finally descended down to the Route 303 crossing. From there it detours around Tilcon Haverstraw Quarry by following Long Clove Road. The columnar joints of the Palisades diabase are well exposed in the walls of the quarry. I walked as far as an apple orchard, but did not have enough time to complete the detour and climb back up onto the ridge. Instead, I turned southward, and walked down a road that I though to be the Haverstraw Trail, a bicycle path that connects Haverstraw and Nyack. It turned out to be a separate road servicing the tracks of the West Branch of the New York Central Railroad. I followed the tracks southward for a hundred yards, until they enttered a tunnel that took them west, beneath the cliffs. I then bushwhacked down to the trail, which was a bit lower on the ridge (though still well above river level). I passed several deralict structures, most with stonework consistent with them being old park buildings. I then followed the Haverstraw Trail south. Most of my side of the river was in late afternoon shadows, but the eastern bank was still in full sun. I had a nice view of Croton Point, a penninsula that extends far out into the Hudson River from its east shore. The trail is in better shape than last time I hiked it; substantial repairs must have been made. Some parts of the bank have fallen away in amphitheatre slumps. Fortunately, none took the trail waith it. A few bicyclists passed me. The trail passes the Landing Road intersection, and then containes south all the way to Nyack Beach. I however bushwhacked up a gulley well short of Landing Road, and reconencted to the Long Path, since I judged that I did not have time to complete the longer loop. The climb was steep but only a walk, and took six minutes. I took the Long Path back to the tennis courts. I passed many flowering trees and bushes on the hike, The dogwoods, with their large white blossoms, are particularly beautiful. About two and a half hours.