Long Mountain Loop in Snow

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:20
Estimated Distance: 2.0 miles

Pros: Scenic area with good climb and nice views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult (in snowy conditions)

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/o3ngxN9MUvHqdwWr8

The ground was still covered with several inches of snow, and we took the opportunity to go on a relatively short hike with great views. We parked off Route 6 on the Long Mountain Trailhead parking area, and took the Long Path to the top of Long Mountain. Long Mountain offers great views of Bear Mountain and the north, as well Turkey Hill Pond. It is especially aesthetic in the snow. We then descending along the mountain on the northern flank of the Long Path, and then took the Deep Hollow path back to the Long Path and back to our car.

Map of the Route

Information Kiosk at the Trailhead

Trailhead Sign

Approaching Long Mountain Summit

Long Mountain Summit

View of Turkey Hill Lake

Deep Hollow Brook

Long Path at Lake Skanatati after Snowstorm

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hr
Estimated Distance: 2.0 miles

Pros: Beautiful area in snow
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4TpSKR6xd2D8hRuGA

It has just snowed about 8 inches on Friday night, so there was a fresh layer of new snow. This area is particularly beautiful in the snow, and was a perfect hike especially considering I was short on time. I parked at trailhead parking at Lake Skanatati, and took the Long Path to one of the divergent paths along the lake, and then back to the Long Path. I crossed the Pine Swamp Brook and continued up the ridge up until the point before descending to the Dunning Trail. I then turned around and took the Long Path back.

Frozen Lake Skanatati

Trailhead Signs

Long Path

Snow at Long Path

Crossing Pine Swamp Brook

Long Path Evergreen Trees

Return to Lake Skanatati

Ramapo Reservation MacMillan Reservoir

Ramapo Valley County Reservation
Mahwah, NJ

Hiking Trails:
Vista Spur Trail: Yellow black blaze
Vista-Ridge Connector: Blue yellow blaze
Ridge Loop: Blue blaze
Reservoir Loop: Pink blaze

Total Time: 1:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Scenic lakes
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pu4CNme1DEDA6L7h7

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

The conditions were icy and time was limited, and this was a good choice as it's a busy trail and well-traversed. There were still some difficult sections to navigate but overall it was a good hike choice. We parked at the Ramapo Reservation parking area, and took the Vista Spur Trail to the Vista-Ridge Connector ascending towards MacMillan Reservoir. We then continued on the Ridge Loop to the MacMillan Reservoir dam, and continued a short distance on the pink-blazed Reservoir Loop Trail. We then turned around along the same route (though taking the parallel trail of the Vista-Ridge Connector down the mountain.)

Map of the Route

Ramapo River at Ramapo Reservation Near Sunset

Scarlet Oak Reservoir (Frozen)

Ramapo Reservation Waterfalls from Above on the Vista-Ridge Connector Trail

Brook Near the Outlet of MacMillan Reservoir

Icy Conditions on the Vista Loop Trail

MacMillan Reservoir