Frozen Little Dam Lake and AT

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:20 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Mile

Pros: Quiet area with nice lake
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back / Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QduLCp5L5osNreXT8

It had been very cold and the lakes in the area were frozen. However, I was at Lake Skanatati on Friday and the most of the lakes in Harriman were frozen but they were still not listed as safe by the rangers. I called the Harriman office at Lake Tiorati prior to the hike, and they said that none of the lakes were open for walking and ice fishing in Harriman, but some were in Sterling Forest, including Little Dam Lake.

I went to Little Dam Lake, which is a small and shallow lake. I parked on Bramertown Road at the bend, and took the road to the dam. I walked along the lake to the small islands on the northern part of the lake, and then went to the shore and the went to the Appalachian Trail (AT). I took the AT north up the mountain and then down to Orange Turnpike, and then turned around back along the AT southbound. I then crossed the frozen lake again towards the dam and then went south back to my car.

Map of the Route

Frozen Lakes Sign

Path the Little Dam Lake

Approaching the Lake

The Dam at Little Dam Lake

Walking on the Frozen Lake

Island in the Lake

Winter Greenery Along the Appalachian Trail

Ascending the Mountain

Appalachian Trail at the Road

Back at Little Dam Lake

Little Dam Lake at Sterling Forest

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Land,
Sterling Forest State Park Area
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.8 Miles

Pros: Scenic and quiet area, very green in winter
Cons: No vista views

I am going to make an effort to cover more of the trails in Sterling Forest State Park. I have been to many of the trails, but there are many more I have never gotten to. Furthermore, I recently picked up a new Trail Conference map, which has several new trails I have never seen before on my previous 2005 map edition.

I parked on Orange Turnpike where it intersects the Appalachian Trail. There is a small pull-off on the side of the road, about 100 feet south of the trail, on the southbound lane. I climbed up the incline to the top of the hill, but there isn't really a view here. I then climbed down contining past Little Dam Lake, which this trail follows alongside for a good part of the way. This is an irregular shaped lake that is quite swampy in some areas, and has some nice rock formations alongside its western spur. I then continued along the trail to East Mombasha Road, where I turned around and went back along the same route.

My camera lens got stuck during this hike, so these pictures were taken off my cell phone camera.

Map of the Route

Appalachian Trail Descending Towards Little Dam Lake

Little Dam Lake, Facing Northeast

Little Dam Lake, Partially Frozen

Little Dam Lake Inlet

Rock Formations at the Little Dam Lake Inlet

Trail Crossing Over Rocks at the Little Dam Lake Inlet

Little Dam Lake Inlet Looking Towards Little Dam Lake

Appalachian Trail at East Mombasha Road

Winter Greenery in Hemlock Forest

Little Dam Lake on the Return Route

Appalachian Trail Crossing on the Orange Turnpike

Me at the AT Trail Crossing Sign