Popolopen is the name of several related landmarks mainly within the Hudson Highlands of Orange County, New York. These include a peak, Popolopen Torne—or simply "The Torne", and a short and steep-sided nearby valley officially called Hell Hole, but often Popolopen Gorge. Popolopen Creek runs through this valley. The Popolopen Bridge spans its mouth at the Hudson River and is crossed by Route 9W. Popolopen Lake feeds the headwaters of its namesake creek. Despite local usage, the United States Board on Geographical Names recognizes only the lake, creek and bridge as bearing the name "Popolopen."
Summit of Popolopen Torne in 2006, facing northwest, with Cranberry Brook and the military reservation below.
Looking east from the Torne, with Bear Mountain Bridge across the Hudson River
West Point cadet during summer military training on the lake
Pool on Popolopen Creek
The Hudson Highlands are mountains on both sides of the Hudson River in New York state lying primarily in Putnam County on its east bank and Orange County on its west. They continue somewhat to the south in Westchester County and Rockland County, respectively. The highlands are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains.
Wind Gate, the northern entrance to the Hudson Highlands, as seen from Newburgh. Breakneck Ridge is to the left, Storm King Mountain to the right with Bannerman's Island in the middle of the river and West Point visible in the distance
Highlands of the Hudson Forest Reservation 1909
Opuntia humifusa (Eastern prickly pear cactus) in bloom atop Sugarloaf Hill in the Hudson Highlands
View from Hudson River with Bear Mountain Bridge in foreground
