Frozen Lake Sebago and Skenonto

Frozen Lake Sebago and Skenonto
Harriman State Park,
Rockland and Orange Cos.,
New York

Total Time: 2:00 hours
Estimated Distance: 4.7 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended, but rarely possible
Points of Interest: Frozen lakes
Pros: Hike on a lake
Cons: None

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow blaze

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The weather had warmed up briefly Saturday and Sunday, but the lakes in Harriman were still frozen. The weather was in the mid-30's, which is warm for a frozen lake hike. Lake Sebago rarely fully freezes over, but it had been frozen this week so I took the opportunity to hike on it. As expected, there were many ice fisherman enjoying the frozen lake, and there was even someone biking on the lake! This was actually the first time I had seen Lake Sebago frozen and thus my first opportunity to hike on it.

Lake Sebago is one of the largest lakes in Harriman. I parked at the Lake Sebago boat launch off Seven Lakes Drive and headed west across the lake towards the northern arm of the lake. I went the length of the entire arm, which is over a mile in distance, to a small marshy island and then to the beach area. (The beach is currently being renovated and has been closed the past two summers.) From there I took a connector path to the Victory Trail, and took this trail towards Lake Skenonto. Once I reach Lake Skenonto, I hiked along the edge of the Lake, but it was a bit slushy in certain areas, and considering there was no one else around I didn't feel comfortable on this lake and went back to the shore and back to the Victory Trail. At the south end of the lake I went on the Triangle Trail, and took this trail back towards Lake Sebago, and then went across Lake Sebago again back to my car.

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

Flag Indicating Ice on Lake is Safe at the Parking Area

Just Entering the Lake at the Parking Area. Notice all the Footsteps.

Looking West Across the Lake

Looking South Towards Diamond Mountain

A Biker on the Lake with His Dog

Me Lifeguarding at the Beach

Looking South Towards Diamond Mountain, with a Floating Dock

Looking  North Towards the Extended Arm of the Lake

A Bald Eagle Flying Above the Lake.
This is a Magnificent Bird to See in the Wild.
I saw two of them - this is the Second One.

Small Island and Lake Sebago Beach in the Distance

Interesting Perspective and Cloud Cover Looking Back Near the Beach

Old Abandoned Ruins Heading Towards the Victory Trail

Lake Skenonto from the Northern Shore, Looking South

Lake Skenonto After I Ascended Off of it

Lake Skenonto Southern point, Looking North

Entry Point Back to Lake Sebago from the Triangle Trail

Boat Dock on Lake Sebago

Me on Lake Sebago

Fishing Hole

Panoramic View in Middle of Lake Sebago.

Lake Sebago Blauvelt Mnt LoopHarriman State Park

Rockland County and Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail: Red blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:40 hours
Estimated Distance: 6.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Very tranquil and remote part of the park

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

I took this hike on a fantastic September day, with bright blue skies, low humidity, and a temperature in the mid-70's. Although the first part of this hike is along a busy stretch along Lake Sebago and close to the road, the remainder is very remote and quiet. I only encountered one person on the rest of the hike.

I parked at the Lake Sebago Boat Launch, and walked south along the eastern shore of Lake Sebago all the way to the dam, and then from there took the Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail and up to the small notch. From there it joins the White Bar Trail briefly, and then merges off. I continued along the White Bar Trail past the Dutch Doctor Shelter, and then went along the Triangle Trail to the western spur of Lake Sebago. From there continued along the Triangle to the southern shore of Lake Skenonto. This lake is very remote without any road access, and is indeed very pretty.

From Lake Skenonto I took the Victory Trail south back to the White Bar Trail, where it ascends a shoulder of Blauvelt Mountain, and affords a moderate view at the top of the climb. From there continued south back to the Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail and then retraced my way back to the car.

Map of the Route

Lake Sebago, from the eastern shore.
Looking west across the Lake.

Dutch Doctor Shelter

Western Spur of Lake Sebago.
Facing east. Note the Maple Tree starting to change color.

Southern end of Lake Skenonto.

Same View as Above, Zoomed out.
Parker Cabin Mountain in background.

View from White Bar Trail on Blauvelt Mountain.
Facing West.

Interesting Orange Mushrooms along the Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail.

Parker Cabin Mnt,Lake Skenonto

Harriman State Park.
Rockland County,
New York

Trails:
Ramapo-Dundergerg (R-D): Red Blaze
Victory Trail: Blue Blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow Blaze

Map: Harriman Park-Southern
Trail Map 118
Start Point Map Coordinates: 65,72

Total Time: 2:30 hr
Estimated Distance: 4.5 Miles

Hiking Partners:
Feige Koegel (my sister)
Eli Koegel (my nephew)
Yisroel Gewirtzman

This was our first fall hike. It was really the very beginning of the foliage colors, and almost all the trees were still green. Nevertheless there were still some good colors to be found. We parked on Lake Kanawauke Road (County 106) after the Little Long Pond, at the R-D trail parking area. Climbed up Tom Jones Mountain, which is a very short but steep hike up the mountain, with a nice view on top. The Catskill Mountains are visible from the summit to the far north. Continued down the R-D, where it intersected with the Victory Trail. Headed south on the Victory, and took the unblazed shortcut bypass road, and then continued along the trail to Lake Skenonto. Lake Skenonto is a very pretty and isolated like in Harriman with no public roads leading to it.

We intented to take the Trianlge Trail up Parker Cabin Mountain, but got distracted and went about 800 feet beyond the intersection before turning around back to the Trianlge Trail, which slowly climbs up Parker Cabin Mountain. The last stretch up Parker Cabin Mountain is a really good and steep scramble. From the top of Parker Cabin Mountain, which has a great view of Lake Sebago, went north on the R-D Trail, and by the previous intersection at the vallery between Parker Cabin and Tom Jones Mountains, we took the Victory Trail back to the road, and then headed along the road past the side of the swamp. This swamp was made by beavers and trees down by beavers with the characteristic bite marks are present in this swamp.

Map of the route

At the summit of Tom Jones Mnt
Facing east towards Jackie Jones Fire Tower

At the summit with Eli Koegel and Yisroel Gewirtzman

The Gunks and Catksills in the far north distance from Tom Jones

Descending the deep valley between Tom Jones
and Parker Cabin

Lake Skenonto, facing south.

Ditto, with me.

Me on the Peninsula in Lake Skenonto

Lake Skenonto from the Peninsula.
Facing southwest.

Yisroel climbing the Parker Cabin Mnt scramble

Lake Sebago from atop Parker Cabin Mnt.
Facing southeast.