Frozen Lake Welch

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
None

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.8 Mile

Pros: Nice lake
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UgEbQGSuEuLKaEBs5

All the lakes in Harriman State Park were frozen after a deep freeze of very low temperatures for an extended period of time. It was a bright and sunny Friday, and I left work for the weekend for a short hike on the frozen lake. I encountered other lake hikers and ice fishermen. I parked at the boat launch area and walked at the western part of the lake across the lake, passing the islands on the way. After reaching the other end of the lake at the lifeguard chairs, I turned around and went back.

Map of the Route

Ice Level is Safe

Historic Sandytown Plaque

Approaching Frozen Lake Welch

Lake Welch on the Ice

Lake Welch Islands

Jackie Jones Tower

Looking Towards the Dam

Ice Warning Plaque

Lake Welch Beach

On the Return Route

Ice Fisherman

Ice Fishing

Lake Welch and Fire Tower

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow Blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Scenic Lake, quiet area
Cons: Fire tower closed
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/vTYYoBu6Wdq5CyK27

I hadn't been to the Fire Tower in a while, and wanted a short and quick hike as it was the day before Rosh Hashanah and I was short on time preparing for the Holiday. I had heard that the Jackie Jones Fire Tower had been closed, so I wanted to check it out. The Fire Tower was recently refurbished (See https://www.harrimanhiker.com/2018/12/refurbished-jackie-jones-fire-tower.html) after having been briefly closed. 

I was disturbed to hear this news, and was even more disturbed to see this indeed was the case. There was a big locked fence around the entire structure, and it seemed like it was closed for good. This has been a great hike with a great view for so many years, and I don't understand by what right the tower had been closed. If something needed to be fixed, it should have been fixed, not closed. Us hikers have enjoyed this hike and the tower for many years, since our youth, and this should not suddenly be closed without access.

I parked at the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trailhead, and walked along Kanawauke Road towards Lake Welch. After the dam I went to the shore of Lake Welch and took some pictures. I then took the path along the phone line up Jackie Jones Mountain, which took me to the Fire Tower. As I was not able to access the Fire Tower, I headed down the mountain on the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, passing the ORAK ruin and heading back to my car.

Map of the Route

Lake Welch Dam

Lake Welch from near the Dam

Trail from Lake Welch to the Fire Tower

Large Glacial Rock at the Top of the Ridge Near the Fire Tower

Fire Tower

Locked Gate Around the Fire Tower.
This is Sacrilegious! 

Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail on Jackie Jones Mountain

Lake Welch Shoreline Winter Hike

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Total Time: 0:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake
Cons: Non-cohesive trail and paved paths
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Very easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/RfwdJwrZwhFd9VMf9

This was a short hike in Harriman at the Lake Welch area. The weather was absolutely frigid, in the lower teens. I hiked in full gear including a face mask and ski goggles. I parked in the Lake Tiorati boat launch area. The lake was mostly frozen, but had several unfrozen patches so was still unsafe to walk on. I walked to the boat launch, and then walked along the path alongside the northern side of the lake. 

I took a short detour at the old cemetery at Lake Welch, and then walked along the path to the Lake Welch Beach. I walked along the beach, where the winds were howling, and then walked towards the parking lot and path through the picnic area, heading back west. I then cut across back at the last parking lot and heading back to my car, where I was able to warm up.

Map of the Route

Frozen Lake and Jackie Jones Tower from the Boat Launch

Looking Across a Frozen Lake Welch to the Islands from the Boat Launch 

Lake Welch Facing Towards the Beach

Foxtails Along the Side of Lake Welch

Debris on a Frozen Lake Welch 

Plaque at the Old School Site of the Extinct Site of Sandyfields

Me at the Boat Launch and Jackie Jones Behind Me

Woods Road Parallel to Lake Welch

Old Sandyfields Cemetery on the North Side of Lake Welch

Tombstones in the Old Sandyfields Cemetery

Zoomed into the Tombstones

Another View of the Cemetery

View of Lake Welch and Jackie Jones from the Hill

Frozen Lake Welch Beach

Jackie Jones Tower Behind a Frozen Lake Welch

Lake Welch Facing Southwest

Lake Welch Beach Shoreline

Water and Ice at Lake Welch Beach