Frozen Lake Tiorati Islands

Harriman State Park,
Dater Mountain Nature County Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Total Time: 1:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.0 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult (due to conditions)
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points of Interest: Frozen lake, islands
Pros: Hike on a lake
Cons: Freezing cold

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy and Morty Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was a frigid hike. The lakes had finally frozen over, and the temperature was about 10 degrees with a strong wind. We had all covered up from head to toe including ski goggles and a ski mask. We wanted to hike on Lake Kanawauke first, but it seems like this lake never freezes over properly, even in the most frigid of temperatures. Lake Tiorati is probably the largest lake in Harriman State Park in terms of water area, and has several islands to explore. There were several ice fishermen present on the frozen lake.

On this hike we walked across the lake from north to south, making sure to go on all the islands and even small rock islands in the lake. There are two large islands in the middle of the lake; the rest are all much smaller. Though it was extremely cold and windy, the sun was out with a beautiful blue sky.

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

Driving Up 7 Lakes Drive.
There was a Snowstorm the Previous Day

At the Beginning of the Hike Along Frozen and Snowy Lake Tiorati

Footsteps in the Snow on the Lake

Shimmy Running Ahead

Me All Bundled Up.
Fingerboard Mountain in the Background

Lake Tiorati - Looking South

Morty up ahead. Note the Blowing Snow on the Lake

In the Middle of the Lake Facing North

Me in the Middle of the Lake

Heading Towards the Large Island

Morty in Front of a Fishemans Tent

View from the Big Island. Facing East.

Me on the Island

The Rosenberg Brothers  Walking Away from the Island

Mort Doing a Cartwheel on the Island

On a Smaller Island

Me in a Surfboat

Shimmy Coming Up to the Dock

Me at the Dock on the South End of the Lake

South End of the Lake. Facing West.

Heading Back. Walking North.

Me on Another Small Island

Another View Facing South with the Sun

Fingerboard Mountain and Lake Tiorati

Harriman State Park
Orange County, NY

Hiking Members:
Sruli Rosenberg

Started off on this frigid winter day towards the frozen lakes in Harriman. Parked by Tiorati Circle on 7 Lakes Drive, headed up the newly designated, blue-blazed Lake Tiorati Trail to the Appalachian and Ramapo Dunderberg Trails. Went south up Fingerboard Mountain on the AT/RD, then took the Hurst down towards the lake. Stopped for a break at the Fingerboard shelter where we met a bunch of Korean's cooking up a warm lunch. At the end of the Hurst Trail at 7 Lakes Drive, bushwacked down the steep cliffs to Lake Tiorati. Headed east of the frozen lake towards Camp Thendara at the frozen boat docks, then hiked to almost all of the islands on the lake before heading north back to the car.

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Lake Tiorati Trail Blaze heading up Fingerboard

On Appalachian Trial continuing up Fingerboard

Facing east overlooking Lake Tiorati

On top of Fingerboard facing east.
Lake Tiorati and Hudson River in far view.

Appalachian/Hurst Trail Junction

Our friends the Korean's warming up at the
fire at the Fingerboard shelter.

In the Rhododendron Forest on the Hurst Trail.

Lake Tiorati! This lake is huge!

I'm on the first island we encountered

Swimming Rules.

Camp Thendara Canoe Dock

Fingerboard Mountain in the background.

Looking north towards all the Ice Fisherman.

Another Island.Conquering the Island

One of my best shots.

Ditto.