Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Claudius Smith Den to Lake Sebago

Harriman State Park
Rockland County,
New York


Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg trail: Red blaze
Tuxedo-Mount Ivy Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.4 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Nice cave and scramble with an excellent view

Hiking Partners:
David and Debbie Koegel
Yehuda Koblick

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

Claudius Smith Den is a famous landmark in Harriman that is very well-known. It is a cave and long crack in the rock, with an amazing view on the top. Claudius Smith was supposedly a thief who would use the cave as his hideout den. This is a highly recommended hike for its interesting formations, beatiful view, and historical significance.

We parked at the trailhead in Tuxedo right before the Thruway. We walked along the blazed road underneath the busy highway to the tranquil trail climbing the mountain. We continued past the Gas Line and red trail intersections, and then to the Claudius Smith Den. We spent a few minutes exploring and taking pictures, and then went to the top where the view is and feasted on some ripe blueberries soaking in the sun.

From the claudius Smith Den, half our group went back the same route to the car, and the other half including myself continued along the Tuxedo-Mount Ivy Trail west and took. We eventually got to Lake Sebago and Seven Lakes Drive, where they picked us up on the side of the road by the dam.

Map of the Route

View of Tuxedo from Smith Rock

Yehuda Approching the Claudius Smith Den

David and myself inside the crevice in the den

Me inside the crevice

View atop Claudius Smith Den. Facing Southwest.

Top of Claudius Smith Den. Facing West.


Me on the top of the den.

Yehuda on the top of the den.

The clear waters of Lake Sebago, near the end of the hike.

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