Agony Grind to Sapphire Trail

Harriman State Park / Appalachian Trail National Corridor
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:30
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic area, good climb, and good view
Cons: Walk on road from Elk Pen
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LD3wYs1bnUi4mwtF9

Hiking Partner:
Zev Koblick

We parked at the Elk Pen and took the Appalachian Trail westward bound up the steep path past the Agony Grind, a steep incline from Route 17 up to a nice view of Western Harriman. The trail is currently being upgraded with organized rock steps. They are about halfway done. At the view we continued along the Appalachian Trail to the Sapphire Trail, and then turned around and returned along the same route. 

Map of the Route

Elk Pen Hikers Lot on Arden Valley Road

Harriman Welcome

View at the Start of the Hike

Appalachian Trail

Ascending the Agony Grind

Trail Work at the Agony Grind

First View Ascending

View above the Agony Grind

Elk Pen from the Agony Grind

Sapphire Trail

Agony Grind

Agony Grind
Harriman State Park / Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail Connector: Blue Blaze
Indian Hill Loop Trail: Yellow Blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.6 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Steep scramble and rock formations, view, and old farmlands
Pros: Good climb, views, quiet area of park
Cons: Loudness of Thruway nearby

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking: 

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The weather was very unstable, with thunderstorms in the late morning forecast. So we opted for a hike with an easy bailout. We parked at the Elk Pen area, and took the Appalachian Trail up the Agony Grind. This is a steep climb with very interesting rock formations, cliffs, and outcrops. On the top there is a also a good view. We took the Appalachian Trail past the Sapphire Trail to the Appalachian Trail Connector to the Indian Hill Trail. We we were briefly on the Indian Hill Trail, going through the ruins of an old farm/estate with interesting rock walls. We then bushwacked along the perimeter of the slope back to the Appalachian Trail near the Agony Grind and then back to our car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman State Park Northern Map /
Sterling Forest State Park Map

Appalachian Trail by the Elk Pen

Park Lands Plaque on the Appalachian Trail

Walking Along Arden Valley Road on the AT

Trail Marker Plaque on the AT

Shimmy Huge Rock Formation Before the Agony Grind

Me at the Huge Rock Formation Before the Agony Grind

View While Ascending near the Agony Grind

Another Angle of the Same View near the Agony Grind

Shimmy Climbing Through the Agony Grind

Early Foliage While Ascending the AT

View from the Summit Along the AT.
Facing Southeast Towards the Elk Pen and Thruway

The Same View Facing South

View Facing East

View At the Intersection of the AT and AT Connector Trail