Bear Mountain & Harriman Parks Nick Zungoli Exposures Gallery Press, $19.95, 2018
It's hard to believe that just 30 miles north of Manhattan one can be immersed in the 50,000 acres of wild nature in Bear Mountain and Harriman State Park. The parks form the core of a contiguous protected forest along the west side of the Hudson River in the New York and New Jersey Highlands and contain 300 miles of trails, 36 lakes, scores of wildlife species, numerous streams, and countless vistas.
Photographer Nick Zungoli has relentlessly hiked the region since 1979, when he opened up a gallery in nearby Sugar Loaf. A contributor to National Geographic and Sierra magazines, Zungoli leads readers on a photographic tour of the parks, from Lemon Squeeze to Hippo Rock. A guide to exploring the parks as well as a photographic flight of fancy, Bear Mountain & Harriman Parks contains maps and practical advice on how to get to the trailheads, where to stay if you're so inclined, and what to pack for a day trip or an overnight stay. With this book, Zungoli has produced the essential photographic document, in all seasons, of one of New York's most accessible wild places.