Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Sunday, May 21, 2023

Stahahe High Peak and Green Pond

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Island Pond Road: Unblazed
Stahahe High Peak Trail: Unblazed
Nurian Trail: White blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.9 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake and pretty area
Cons: Parking can fill up quickly
Hike Type: Reverse Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/NBN41jEjsZhVG6YK8

It had been a very long time since I was at Stahahe High Peak (almost 13 years!) It was a nice spring day, in fact somewhat cool with a strong breeze at the top of the mountain. I parked at the trailhead at the White Bar Trail on County Route 106, and took the White Bar Trail for a short distance to Island Pond Road.

I then was on the lookout for the trail intersection with the Stahahe High Peak Trail, which is unblazed. I found it at the cairn, and took it up the top. The path is unofficial and isn't as well marked but it can be easily followed to the view. I then turned around back to the intersection of the Island Pond Road, taking it to the Nurian Trail for a short period and then to the Dunning Trail.

The trail crisscross with the White Bar Trail and intersects it twice. At the second intersection, where the Dunning Trail ends, I took the Dunning Trail alongside Green Pond. This is a highly scenic part of the park, where the trail scrambles and goes underneath a rock overhang. I then took the Dunning Trail back to the White Bar Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Island Pond Road

Path to Stahahe High Peak through the Mountain Laurel

Approaching Stahahe Peak

Stahahe High Peak View

View Above Lake Stahahe

Large Rock on Island Pond Road

View Past Green Pond

Nurian Trail & Dunning Trail Intersection

Approaching Green Pond

Green Pond

Overhand by Green Pond

Sunday, May 14, 2023

Jungle Habitat Spring Hike

Long Pond Ironworks State Park
West Milford
Passaic Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Red Trail: Red blaze
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Overlook Rock Spur: White/Black
Tapawingo Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hr
Estimated Distance: 4.8 miles

Pros: Interesting History
Cons: Trails are a mess
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/aGeap73S3MgfdZee9

Jungle Habitat was a short-lived drive-through safari and theme parked owned by Warner Bros. that opened in 1972 and closed in 1976. It's been abandoned ever since, and the property was purchased by the state of New Jersey in 1988. It was subsequently turned into a part of Long Pond Ironworks State Park, with hiking and biking trails added.

Not much is left on the property other than a myriad of trails. However, there are some really cool tunnels at the former entrance, as well as some abandoned gatehouses, former animal enclosures, and ride tracks. There are trails and paths all over the place, and many of the official marked trails used for biking are windy with many annoying switchbacks.

I started at the main parking area, and took the Red Trail to the large open abandoned parking lot. I then took the Orange Trail which goes on the side of the parking lots, but after realizing how windy it is with unnecessary switchbacks (good for biking but annoying for hiking) a ditched the trail and went back to the large empty parking lots, trying to fine the main entrance with the still-existing tunnels. After a few wrong moves turns I found the entrance and tunnels, which was really interesting. I also passed a guard house, the fence behind some former exhibits, and an old single-track rail like.

I couldn't find the new "Tapawingo" Trail recently constructed. It's not on version of the Map yet. I ended up having to bushwhack up to a bike trail, which I then took to the Tapawingo Trail. I admired the view here and then descend through the heart of the former Jungle Habitat property, which I took back to my car.