Cornell Mine Trail Reopens at Bear Mountain State Park After 2023 Storm Damage

By Y.M. Lowy

After two years of extensive repair work, the Cornell Mine Trail in the Palisades region has officially reopened following the severe damage caused by heavy rains in the summer of 2023.

That summer’s intense storms washed out sections of trails, eroded stone steps, and left parts of the park system unsafe and inaccessible. The Cornell Mine Trail was among those hardest hit, forcing its closure while crews assessed the damage and planned long-term repairs.

The reopening comes as welcome news for hikers in Rockland and beyond. The Palisades region is home to one of New York State’s largest and most historic trail networks, with nearly 450 miles of marked trails spanning close to 130,000 acres of public land. Millions of visitors each year rely on these trails to access forests, lakes, waterfalls, and some of the oldest hiking routes in the country, including sections of the Appalachian Trail.

Crews focused on rebuilding stone steps, stabilizing eroded sections, and improving drainage to better withstand future storms.

As storms become stronger and more frequent, maintaining safe and sustainable trails requires significant time, funding, and manpower. In response, New York State Parks has expanded its statewide trails program, assigning dedicated trail staff in each region to inspect conditions, repair damage, and carry out major improvements when needed.

Visitors are encouraged to stay on marked trails and respect closures where they remain in place to help preserve the park system.