Silvermine Lake and Ski Loop

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ski Tral: Unblazed
Menomine Trail: Yellow blaze
Silvermine Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:35 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.2 Miles

Pros: Quiet area of the park
Cons: Lacks good views

I had just returned from Tucson, Arizona, and was back in the northeast for a cold winter hike. I parked at the Silvermine Lake parking area, and took the northern ski slope trail up the hill. This was a former ski slope that is now abandoned and used by hikers, as well as people sledding in the winter. Although it was very cold, there as no snow. In fact, there had been little snow all season.

At the top I took the unmarked trail south going down from the summit, to another unmarked trail which I took to the Menomine Trail. I was on the Menomine Trail briefly before cutting across a bushwack along the southern part of Silvermine Lake. I bushedwacked until Silvermine Road, and then took this path north to the dam of Silvermine Lake. I crossed the river past the dam, and then went along the path on the north side of the lake and then headed back to my car.

Map of the Route

Inlet of Silvermine Lake

Approaching the Old Ski Slopes, with no Snow

Ascending the Left Ski Slope

View from the Top of the Ski Slop, Looking Down

View of Popolopen and Bear Mountain from the Top

Ice Covered Stream Near Silvermine Lake

Small Inlet at Silvermine Lake

Stream Entering Silvermine Lake

Ice Covered Silvermine Lake

Another View of Silvermine Lake

Small Waterfall Beyond the Silvermine Lake Dam