Breakneck Pond AMC Evening Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Breakneck Pond Loop Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake
Cons: Many people at campsite area of the lake
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/Eka8yqhFLR4W5mBq7

The Timp is one of my favorite mountains in the Harriman/Bear Mountain area. Its a very prominent mountain that can be seen from all around the area due to its steep western-facing side, and has excellent views at the summit. It is not an easy hike, with no quick approach and this being the shortest route on the trail system.

I parked at the 1777 Trailhead and took the trail slowly but steadily up the mountain, alongside the stream. I took the trail to the intersection with the 1777 Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. I then continued along the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, first facing the south-facing view, and then the view from south to north. I then continued slightly further on the trail at the beginning of the descent for a great north-facing view.

I then turned around and took the Timp-Torne Trail parallel where I was before, and then upon the 1777 intersection I went along that route down the mountain returning to my car.

Map of the Route

Breakneck Pond Dock

Large Snapping Turtle in Breakneck Pond

Breackneck Pond Loop Trail

Breackneck Pond from the Eastern Side of the Lake

Beaver Presence on Large Trees at the Breakneck Pond Trail

Boulder Canyon Tent Sites Area at the Breakneck Pond

Breackneck Pond Loop Trail

Rocky Flats Tent Sites at the Pond Loop Trail

Bear Ledge Tent Sites

Breackneck Pond from the Western Side

Breackneck Pond Looking North to the Dock

Breackneck Pond Tranquil View

Looking Across Breakneck Pond

Looking Towards the Dock at Breakneck Pond

Me at Breakneck Pond

View from the Large Rock at the North end of Breakneck Pond

Peaceful Evening Scene at Breakneck Pond

Me at Breakneck Pond

Sunset at Breakneck Pond

Me at the Sunset at Breakneck Pond

Another View of Breakneck Pond

Breakneck Pond AMC Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pond Loop Trail: Green blaze
Cranberry Mountain Trail: Unblazed
Pine Meadow Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake and trail
Cons: No views or scenic vistas

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

The previous week I had hiked around Conklin Mountain, and passed near Breakneck Pond. I wanted to explore the area some more, and take the Cranberry Mountain Trail and connector trail from the AMC Harriman Center. We parked in the parking area at the AMC Harriman Center, and walked to the beginning of the new Pond Loop Trail that goes around the lake, starting at the section on the northern part of the lake. 

We took the trail briefly until the unmarked trail that connects to the Cranberry Mountain Trail. On top of Cranberry Mountain at the top of the hill there are some large water tanks, which apparently supply water to the AMC camping area. We then went down to the Cranberry Mountain, taking that trail to where it ends at Pine Meadow Trail. Both the Cranberry Mountain Trail and Pine Meadow Road are very wide trails.

We took Pine Meadow Road until an unmarked trail which comes out from Pine Meadow Road right past Cranberry Mountain. The trail goes along the ridge of Cranberry Mountain, then goes down and meets up with the Pond Loop Trail. We then took the Pond Loop Trail around the lake, going around the longer route along the southern part of the trail. We then continued back to the AMC Camp and back to our car.

Map of the Route

AMC Pond Loop Trail at the Breakneck Pond Outlet

Small Beach and Boat Launch at Breakneck Pond

Me on a Rock in Breakneck Pond at the Beach

Breakneck Pond by the Outlet

Signage on the AMC Pond Loop Trail

Breakneck Pond, Looking towards the AMC Camp

Rock Peninsula in Breakneck Pond

Water Storage Tanks Atop Conklin Mountain near Breakneck Pond

Shimmy Walking on the Cranberry Mountain Trail

Shimmy on the Unmarked Trail on Cranberry Mountain

Tents along the Rocky Flats Tent Sites Area

Signage at the Rocky Flats Tent Sites

Beaver Damage on the Trees along the AMC Pond Loop Trail 

Breakneck Pond from the Western Side

End of the AMC Pond Loop Trail at the AMC Camp

AMC Harriman, Big Hill, and Breakneck Pond Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Breakneck Pond Loop Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.9 Miles

Pros: Good view, scenic area

Hiking Partner: Shimmy Rosenberg

We decided to explore the AMC area a bit more and get some additional information on the cabins and areas. We drove on the narrow road off Lake Welch Parkway that heads to the AMC camping area, and parked in the large parking field near the entrance to the camp. We took the Long Path in a northeasterly direction, passing the Flight 6231 crash site at the beginning of the hike. There is a new plaque here with a brief history of the plan crash that took place in this spot in December 1974, where a Boeing 727 flying from Kennedy airport to Buffalo crashed, killing the three crew members on flight.

We continued along the Long Path to the Woods Road, and then took that briefly to the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, which we climbed up to reach the view at Big Hill. Big Hill features an overnight shelter with a nice view and overall scenic area. We continued along the Suffern-Bear Mountain southwest, and at the intersection of the Breakneck Trail, we took the unmarked path down to the AMC camp. We then took the newly blazed, still unmarked Breakneck Ridge Trail around the entire lake.

The previous time we were here, we bushwacked at the end of the lake to Pine Meadow Road to access the Breakneck Trail. This time we continued along the entire loop around the lake. I am still disappointed that this trail does not officially connect to any of outside Harriman Trails or woods roads (with the exception of the unmarked Cranberry Mountain Trail connector) when they are so close by. Towards the end of the loop, back at the northern end of the lake, there is a large piece of bedrock jutting into the water, with excellent lake views. We then continued along the camp, exploring the area and gathering information about the area, and then headed back to our car.

Please note: Picture are from my cell phone camera while my camera lens is getting repaired.