Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Harriman

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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Sapphire Trail,
Harriman State Park

Sapphire Trail
Harriman State Park /
Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Sapphire Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.6 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not recommended
Points of Interest: Rock Formation on top
Pros: Remote part of the park off the beaten path
Cons: No views or interesting sites to see, far out from other Harriman trails

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my first hike since surgery. I have been doing light biking over the last few weeks, but after several weeks of physical therapy was finally ready for a hike. This trail ended up being longer than I expected, but the gradual climb up and down was very doable.

The Sapphire Trail is probably the most isolated trail in Harriman, in the northwestern corner of Harriman State Park near Monroe and Sterling Forest. Its also a very quiet trail with very little traffic. A small part of the trail goes into Sterling Forest State Park.

We parked in the Park and Ride parking lot on Route 17, south of Monroe, which acts as overflow parking for Woodbury Commons on weekends. Parking for hikers is only available at this lot on weekends and Holidays. We took the Sapphire Trail up the gradual climb until its intersection with the Appalachian Trail at the top. At the top we took a break at the interesting rock formation, and then returned down the same route.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park Northern Map

Beginning of the Sapphire Trail

Me Walking Through a Fern Forest

Interesting Rock Formation Where the Sapphire Trail
Meets the Appalachian Trail

Me in the Above Rock Formation

Me at the end of the Sapphire Trail

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Appalachian Trail to Island Pond

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Island Pond Road: Unblazed
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hours
Estimated Distance: 4.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Island Pond
Pros: Scenic remote natural lake, viewpoint
Cons: Hike up Applachian Trail not very dramatic

Hiking Partners:
Moshe Reich
Eli Shulman

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

It was a beautiful fall day and the foliage was beginning to peak. We parked at the Elk Pen by Arden Valley Road, and I was surprised to see that the parking area had been paved. We had intended to take the Arden-Surebridge Trail up, but noticed that the Appalachian had been re-routed off of Arden Valley Road instead through the meadow parallel to the road. So we had started out on the road looking for the trail when I noticed what had been done. We then took the Appalachian Trail up the mountain, and along the way encountered NY/NJ Trail Conference Members doing trail maintenance. We continued along past Island Pond Road to the northern view of Island Pond which has a beautiful lake lookout where you can also climb down to the lake. The scenery with the foliage was very impressive.

Island Pond is one of the few natural lakes in the park, and its outlet is not dammed. Much of its sides are surrounded by swamp, but its northern flank abuts into the water and is its nicest vantage point. We then turned around and made a slight detour from the Appalachian Trail to Island Pond Road, and took Island Pond Road south to the Arden-Surebridge Trail. We then took the Arden Surebridge Trail to the view which looks across the Ramapo River Valley, and then climbed down this steep part of the mountain until the Elk Pen open area and then back to our car.

Map of the Route. Harriman/Bear Mnt State Parks Northern Map

Impressive Maple Tree Along the Appalachian Trail

Volunteer Trail Workers Fixing Up the Appalachian Trail

Old Structure Diverting the Flow of Water Near the Inlet of Island Pond

Approaching the Island Pond Lookout

Island Pond Lookout, Facing South

Ditto

Island Pond Lookout, Facing West

Ditto

Eli Shulman at the Island Pond Lookout

Me at the Island Pond Lookout

Moshe Reich at the Island Pond Lookout

View at the Arden-Surebridge Trail Prior to Descending. Facing North.

View at the Arden-Surebridge Trail Facing East
Across the Ramapo River Valley

Large Meadow at the bottom of the Mountain on the A-SB Trail

Intersection and Signposts of the Appalachian Trail

Elk Pen at the End of the Hike

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Catamount Mountain Loop
Harriman State Park

Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Sherwood Path: Unblazed

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Catamount Mountain View
Pros: Quiet area of the park, good climb, good view
Cons: Power line and gas line detract from natural setting

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The weather on this hike was quite a contrast to last week. It was in the 90's and oppresingly humid, though I figured I would be in the shade for the most part and there would be a breeze. I parked at the Horse Stables at Ramapo Equestrian Center off Route 202, and took the Pine Meadow Trail as it climbs the mountain through a notch with a stream. At the junction with the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail I took a right and headed on the joint Pine Meadow and Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail. From there I split off to the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail to the excellent view here. Note that this view is missing from the NY/NJ Trail conference maps). I then headed towards the Sherwood Path, which is an unmarked trail road, and I took this trail back down the mountain. From there I followed the trail of the Gas Line back to my car.

Map of the Route

The Pine Meadow Trail near the beginning, near the Power Line

Small Cascade along the edge of the Pine Meadow Trail

Ant Eating a Caterpillar.

Pittsbollow Hollow Brook.
This is where the yellow trail and red trail split.

View from the viewpoint. Facing east.

Another view from viewpoint. Facing South

Another view shot, facing south.

Facing south towards Cobus Mountain

At the view, facing northwest

Shelter at Sherwood Path and SBM Trail.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Raccoon Brook Hills Reeves Brook Loop

Harriman State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Raccoon Brook Hills Trail: Black blaze
Reeves Brook Trail:White blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic gorge, good climbs and views
Pros: Very scenic, varying terrain and flora
Cons: Beginning part of trail is always very busy

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The weather was unseasonably cold for late May, and I had even considered bringing a light jacket. In the end I wore just short sleeves, and was indeed cold. I parked in the busy Reeves Meadow parking area, and took the Pine Meadow Trail to the Stony Brook to the Kakiat Trail. The water level was very impressive due to the excess rains, and the Cascade of Slid was particularly fierce.

I continued up the Kakiat Trail to its second intersection with the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail, and took the Racoon Brook Hills Trail to the Pulpit. From there continued to the Reeves Brook Trail, where I took this trail in its entirety back to the trailhead parking area.

Map of the Route.
Map: Southern Bear Mountain Harriman State Park Trails.

Small cascade right before the gas line crossing

The raging Stony Brook

Cascade of Slid

Waterfall by Cascade of Slid

Pine Meadow Brook above the Cascade of Slid,
with the Washed Out HTS Trail Bridge

Large Blueberry Meadow atop the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail

Gas Line from the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail.
Facing east towards Kakiat Park

View from atop near the end of the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail.
Note the Manhattan Skyline in the Distance

Another View Facing South.

Washed Out Part of the Trail near the End of the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail.
There Was No Way to Avoid the Water

View near the Pulpit Viewpoint. Facing South.

Me near the Pulpit Viewpoint

Waterfall Along the Reeves Brook.
This is usually a trickle, but the heavy rains made this quite impressive.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Parker Cabin Hollow to Carr Pond
Mountain Harriman State Park

Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Parker Cabin Hollow: Orange blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.75 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic, tranquil area, beaver dam, nice view
Pros: Very remote and tranquil area of park, very scenic, good view at the end
Cons: Beginning of hike starts close to the Thruway and you can hear highway for first few minutes

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The Parker Cabin Hollow Trail is a relatively new trail that starts right near the Thruway and goes through a scenic valley called Parker Cabin Hollow. I parked at the trailhead on County 106 right near the Thruway, and took the trail east from its beginning. The trail goes through a nice evergreen grove near the beginning. I continued along the trail, where it flanks a large swamp on the north which has lots of beaver activity, including felled trees, a beaver dam, and beaver home in the middle of the swamp. I continued to the end of the trail at the White Bar Trail, where there is a nice meadow where the trail crosses the brook over a shaky bridge. I took the White Bar north to the steep but short ascent to the view of Carr Pond Mountain. Carr Pond Mountain has a nice view towards the east. I then turned around and returned the same way back.