Lake Skanatati and Pine Swamp Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.4 miles
Pros: Scenic area, nice view and lake view
Cons: Overgrown former trail area

Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Rd1Ggy7KxgKp7AKP9

I was a show on Sunday and didn't have the opportunity to go hiking over the previous weekend, or the rest of the week until Friday. It was a beautiful day so left straight from work to Harriman State Park to climb Pine Swamp Mountain. I parked at the parking lot at Lake Skanatati, and took the Arden-Surebridge Trail up the mountain. This trail was rerouted several years ago to bypass the view of Pine Swamp Mountain above Lake Skanatati. I took the trail to the old Arden-Surebridge Trail which you can find blocked off by branches. The trail route is still present but has gotten grown over. I took the trail to the view overlooking the lakes, and then bushwhacked down from the view to the Long Path. I then took the Long Path back to the parking area and alongside the lake.

Map of the Route

Phragmites at Lake Skanatati

Scenic Lake Skanatati

Overgrown Original Arden-Surebridge Trail

Approaching the Pine Swamp Mountain View

Swamp Descending the Mountain

Approaching Lake Skanatati

High Tor Mountain Summit

High Tor State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Hi Tor Scramble Spur: Blue blaze
Spur Path: White blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.1 Mile

Pros: Great scramble and fantastic views
Cons: Urban views
Hike Type: Out and back with spur and loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vRSDUzRJBSARDu3w8

Hiking Partner:
Joseph Friedman

High Tor is a great hike, with a nice scramble and great views. We parked on Ridge Road at Old Route 304 and took the Long Path up the mountain. The climb is gradual until reaching the first scramble. The original Long Path route went up the scramble, but was rerouted. However, there is now a blue blaze on the original scramble route. We took this trail, up to the top summit. The view at the summit really captures views on all sides, from Lake DeForest and New City one side to Haverstraw on one side to the Hudson River on the other. We took the Long Path down, and took the Spur Path to the historic Youmans-Van Order House. The trail fizzled out once we reached the ruin of the home, so we turned around at that point and went back to the Long Path which we took back to our car.

Map of the Route

Plaque for the Spur Path to the Ruin

Start of the Path Up the Scramble

First View of Haverstraw

Vulture Soaring Above the Hudson River

View at Haverstraw

View South with Lake DeForest

View South Towards Hook Mountain

Condos at Haverstraw Bay

Split Rock at the Summit

Quad Tree on the Long Path

Pond at the Youmans-Van Order House

Frog at the Pond

Youmans-Van Order House Ruins