Sunday, September 23, 2018

Island Pond Mountain and the Lemon Squeezer

Island Pond Mountain and the Lemon Squeezer
Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Crooked Road: Unblazed
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Appalachian Trail Bypass: Blue blaze
Island Pond Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.3 Miles

Pros: Great scramble and rock formation, nice views, and scenic lake
Cons: Parking can be challenging

Hiking Partners:
Rayzi Friedman
Joseph Friedman

The Island Pond area is one of my favorite areas in Harriman State Park. It's a remote and very scenic area of the park. We parked on Arden Valley Road on a small pull-out near Crooked Valley Road that I am familiar with. (There is official parking available directly by Island Pond if you purchase a key to the area from the State Park office at Lake Tiorati.)

We took Crooked Valley Road, which is an unmarked path that extends from Arden Valley Road to the Appalachian Trail. We then took the Appalachian Trail east, and at the intersection with the A-SB Trail, we went through the Lemon Squeezer and then climbed up Isand Pond Mountain. above the Lemon Squeezer. To the east of the trail there is a beautiful view towards Monroe and Island Pond to the south.

We then climbed back down through the Lemon Squeezer, took the Appalachian Trail towards Island Pond, and cut at one of the paths down to the lake for a nice view of the lake. We then cut back to the Appalachian Trail, took Island Pond Road back to Arden Valley Road, and walked along the side of Arden Valley Road back to our car.

Map of the Route

Approaching the Lemon Squeezer.
Note the People on the Trail in the Distance

Boulder Tunnel at the Entrance to the Lemon Squeezer

Me in the Lemon Squeezer

Rocks of the Lemon Squeezer

Narrow Path inside the Lemon Squeezer

Rock Overhangs in the Lemon Squeezer

Me under a Rock Overhand in the Lemon Squeezer

Steep Trail Ascent near the end of the Lemon Squeezer

View from Island Pond Mountain, Facing Northwest

Me on Island Pond Mountain

Island Pond in the Distance from Island Pond Mountain

Another view of Island Pond from Island Pond Mountain

View from Island Pond Mountain, facing Southwest

Rock Formation Jutting into Island Pond

Me at Island Pond

Island Pon d

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