Sunday, April 21, 2013

Carr Pond Mountain to Parker Cabin Mountain,
Harriman State Park

Orange County,
New York


Hiking Trails:

White Bar Trail: White blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.85 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Two important Harriman peaks, scramble up Parker Cabin Mnt
Pros: Two excellent views, quiet area of park, fun scramble
Cons: Last part of hike is walking along road

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

During my previous hike I realized that I wanted to explore the surrounding area some more, namely take the White Bar Trail in a remote area up Parker Cabin Mountain, which I had never done before. I had already climbed Carr Pond Mountain the previous week, and while this hike was an entirely different hike, it did involve the same view and route down Carr Pond Mountain as the previous hike. However, this time all the trees were starting to bloom and everything was much greener, and the contrast was well-noted, including in my photographs.

I started at the parking trailhead around the bend of Kanawauke Road (County Route 106), and took the White Bar Trail south, up the mountain to the shelter, through the valley, and then up to the Carr Pond Mountain view. I then continued along the trail steeply down to the Parker Cabin Hollow, and then up the gradual rise on the White Bar Trail up Parker Cabin Mountain until meeting up with the Triangle Trail. I continued along to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, and then took this trail north. Before climbing to the view of Parker Cabin Mountain, there is a very good scramble ascending to the view. This view is outstanding and is one of the best in Harriman. Continued along the Ramapo-Dunderberg gradually down to the intersection of the Victory Trail, and then took the Victory Trail to its terminus at the road. I continued along road for the rest of the hike to the trailhead.


Map of the Route
 
Shelter at Carr Pond Mountain with
Lake Stahahe in the Background
 
View from Carr Pond Mountain

Another View from Carr Pond Mountain

Bridge at Parker Cabin Hollow.
Note how much greener this exact spot is than in the previous hike

View Ascending the Parker Cabin Scramble.
Lake Sebago is in the distance.

Parker Cabin Mountain Summit View

View from Parker Cabin Mountain.
Facing south  toward Blauvelt Mountain

View from Parker Cabin Mountain.
Facing West.

Stunted Pine Trees along the smooth, rocky northern
part of Parker Cabin Mountain

4 comments:

  1. Nice. This might be a perfect sunset hike with the western views at the end. Then you can do the last leg on the road as it is getting dark and you will be out of the woods.

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  2. Many thanks for the nice photographs, from a former Monsey resident and Harriman Park enthusiast.

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  3. My name is Rich and I live on Long Island. I'm looking to take my kids on a light-moderate hike in June in Harriman State Park. I found you blog and loved it. I am a very experienced hiker, but my kids are aged 9, 11 and 14 -- well they don't have a lot of experience.

    They are all quite athletic and can handle I think a 2-3 mile moderate hike. I'd like to hike in for up to 3 miles, set up camp , enjoy the location and maybe go fishing (don't mind if we don't catch anything). We also have a small athletic dog. and then hike out the next morning. My son would LOVE to be able to fish, the girls would like to explore a little, and I will probably bring my small telescope.

    I'm sure you get 1001 lame emails, but I'd really appreciate your advice. I'm a dyed in the wool wilderness camper, so anything that allows me and my kids to escape would be appreciated.

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    Replies
    1. Rich,
      My best suggestion is to park at Lake Sebago, and take the TMI Trail to the other side of Lake Sebago, where there is an overnight shelter and a very quiet part of the lake which will be nice for fishing. See this:

      http://www.harrimanhiker.com/2012/09/lake-sebago-blauvelt-mnt-loop-harriman.html

      The only disadvantage is that there are no views at this hike - just beautiful natural scenery.

      An alternative hike would be to go to Parker Cabin Mountain, hike down the triangle trail to Lake Skenonto, go fishing there, then take the Victory Trail to the R-D to the overnight shelter at Tom Jones Mountain.

      The only disad

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