Pine Swamp Mountain and Lakes First Snow Hike

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 0:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.7 Miles

Pros: Good climb, nice view, scenic lakes
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop

Map of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/RsrGtA7BJFJBiKRt9

This was the first snow season of the season. Although it wasn't all that much, a fast-moving Alberta Clipper brought about an inch of dry snow to the area. I took advantage being off from work to take a quick and scenic hike in Harriman. I parked in the Lake Skanatati Parking area, and took the Long Path for a short distance alongside the lake, then turned around and took the Arden-Surebridge Trail up. I veered off on the old Arden-Surebridge Trail before it was rerouted, and took it up to the view, where both Lake Skanatati and Kanawauke are in good view. I then turned back and went down along the eastern portion of the ridge back to the new Arden-Surebridge Trail, which I took to the Red Cross Trail. I took the Red Cross Trail down to Seven Lakes Drive, and then took Seven Lakes Drive south, alongside Lake Askoti, crossing the bridge at the stream outlet. I then took the Long Path back down to Lake Skanatati and back down to my car.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati

Long Path Alongside Lake Skanatati

Arden-Surebridge Trailhead

Ascending the Arden Surebridge Trail

View at Pine Swamp Mountain, with Lake Skanatati and Lake Askoti

Lake Askoti

Seven Lakes Drive

Lake Askoti

Lake Skanatati

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