Congers Lake Loop Fall Hike

Congers Lake Memorial Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Route 303 Trailway
North Trailway
West Trailway
South Trailway
Memorial Park Trailway

Total Time: 1:05 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Cma5PnhdKeYRaAV9

See this previous blog post for details of this hike:
https://www.harrimanhiker.com/2021/04/congers-lake-loop-spring-hike.html

Map of the Route

Congers Lake

Boardwalk

Congers Lake Loop Spring Hike

Congers Lake Memorial Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Route 303 Trailway
North Trailway
West Trailway
South Trailway
Memorial Park Trailway

Total Time: 1:00
Estimated Distance: 2.6 miles

Pros: Scenic Lake, Boardwalk
Cons: Area can be busy
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Very Easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/cqoeEfknGUqJNBv66

I was looking forward to a nice hike in good spring weather, but the forecast was calling for rain for the entire day. Looking at the radar in the morning, I noticed that I would have a short window of opportunity to hike before the rain arrived. I still brought rain gear along with me just in case. In fact, about 15 minutes after I completed the hike the rain arrived. The weather was foggy with low visibility, but the temperature was pleasant. Everything was starting to bloom and start looking green.

Congers Lake is a very scenic lake with a walking trail around it. It is very close to Rockland Lake, which is much more popular and well-know. Being that there are signs that the park is only open to Clarkstown residents, it receives a lot less traffic than nearby Rockland Lake. The path is paved, but the trail on the entire western side is a boardwalk above the lake.

I parked in the small parking area off Route 303, slightly beyond Lake Road. I took the trail on the eastern side of the trail north for a short distance to the northern side of the lake, parallel to Lake Road. At first I encountered a Snowy Egret in the water, but then I saw a large flock of swans with perhaps 40 members. I have never seen so many swans together in my life! I then continued along the trail on the western  side of the lake, which consists of a boardwalk for its entire length. At the southern part of the lake I encountered yet another large flock of different swans. I then continued around the eastern trail of the lake, going around the bend at the park area, and then walking back to my car.

Map of the Route

Map of the Trails at the Park

Girls Scout Project at the Lake Indicating Animals of Congers Lake

A Foggy Congers Lake

Congers Lake at the Northwestern Corne

g

Lush Greenery that Recently Emerged

Route 303 Trailway Plaque 

Large Spider Web on the Boardwalk

Park-Like Spring Scene Along the North Side of the Lake

Snow Egret

Two Swans in the Lily Pads Area

More Swans

Twisting Boardwak

Me on the Boardwalk

More Views on the Boardwalk

From the Boardwalk Facing North

Looking Across Congers Lake

Me on the Congers Lake Boardwalk

Lots of Swans in Congers Lake

More Swans

Small Floating Dock in the Lake near the Playground Area

View Looking North from the Dock

View from the Dock Looking South

Congers Lake Loop

Congers Lake Memorial Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Total time: 0:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Very easy
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points of Interest: Scenic lake and boardwalk
Pros: Interesting boardwalk trail, scenic lake
Cons: Built-up suburban area, noise from road, and noise from train

The previous day was Sunday, and I had originally scheduled to go on a good hike. However, the weather was about as awful as you could ask for. It started raining in the morning, but was only 26 degrees, so the rain froze on impact creating a hazardous slick of ice. There were hundreds of accidents that morning. The temperature gradually warmed above freezing, but the rain remained unabated and strong all day as a cold hard rain.

I therefore pushed off my hike to Monday which was Martin Luther King Day. Although I was not off from work, it was lighter than usual at the office so I was able to get out a little bit for this hike.

Congers Lake is a scenic lake that is right nearby Rockland Lake. A loop path has recently been constructed around the entire lake, making this a great place to walk or bike. Much of the western side is acually a boardwalk, meandering above the lake in a boardwalk fashion. This is definitely more of a walk than a hike, but because of the scenery and unique boardwalk, I am including it here.

I parked at the main parking area for Congers Lake Memorial Park.  I only noticed after that this parking area is for Clarkstown residents only, but there are plenty of other parking and access points around the lake to park at. Although the weather was cold, there were lots of people walking here. I presume in when the weather is warm it gets quite busy over here, especially on weekends. I headed north along the eastern side of the lake, and went fully around the lake, including the end of the walk where it loops along the peninsula. Towards the end of the walk a very large freight train passed along the tracks very close to the western shore of the lake.

I didn't bring my camera, thinking there wouldn't be any good photo ops, but I was wrong. The pictures below are therefore taken with my cell phone camera.

Map of the Route.

Fawn I Encountered Right Off the Path Right After I Started Walking
This Deer Must Have Been Injured as it Didn't Move Despite my Coming Close.

View of a Frozen Congers Lake Looking from East to West

Congers Lake Looking from North to South.
This Part Isn't Frozen Since its Right by the Inlet

Boardwalk Snaking Across the Lake on the Northwest Park

View of the Boardwalk Along the Side of the Lake

Looking Towards the Northeast.

Facing South, with Hook Mountain on the Left Side in the Distance

Beautiful Colors. From the Southern Part of the Lake Facing North.

Freight Train Approaching.