Sterlingmine Lake and Ski Lift Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Menomine Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:00 minutes
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Mile

Pros: Nice view, scenic lake
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fudwbyz6JqBuy4G3A

I often visit this area after my trip to Arizona. I was here a couple of weeks earlier with my kids taking them sledding on this hill, but now there was no snow and the weather was unseasonably warm. I parked in the Silvermine Lake parking area, and took the right ski slope from the parking lot up the hill, and then took the trail in the woods at the top over the ridge. This is an unmarked trail that goes down into the valley and joins a woods road. I took the woods road to the Menomine Trail, which I took further down, walking alongside the lake and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Sterling Mine Lake Inlet

Silvermine Ski Hill

Path Behind the Ski Hill

Intersection of the Path and the Woods Road

Stream along the Woods Road

Heading Down Towards Silvermine Lake

Silvermine Lake from the Menomine Trail

Hunter Mountain Ski Trails

Catskills Mountains,
Greene Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Jimmie Heuga Express
Bleeker Street
B-Flat
Mossy Brook

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.9 Miles

Pros: Great views
Cons: Lack of shade
Hike Type: One way down mountain
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H17QiKrETkibu43x9

I visited Hunter Mountain on Labor Day weekend. I took the opportunity to sprint down the mountain after taking the ski lift to the top. The weather was very hot and humid, so it was good going downhill, though there wasn't much shade. After taking the ski lift to the top, I tried following the recommended trail network down, but did get confused. I ended up taking the following skiing trails down: Jimmie Heuga Express, Bleeker Street, B-Flat, and Mossy Brook. 

Map of the Route

Buck Trail Conklin Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ski Trail: Unblazed
Pine Meadow Road: Unblazed
Buck Trail Northern Spur: Yellow/Black blaze
Buck Trail: Yellow blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Pros: Quiet trail with few people
Cons: No views or scenic vistas, first part of hike overgrown

I had just returned from a weeklong camping trip in Letchworth State Park, and back home on Sunday missed my all stomping grounds around the corner, Harriman State Park. I did a more "toned-down" hike than usual this time, without any strenuous climbs. I parked by the Lake Sebago Boat launch, and took the unmarked Ski trail north of the boat launch, crossing Seven Lakes Drive and then to the end of the trail at Pine Meadow Road.

The Ski Trail was somewhat overgrown prior to crossing the road. I took Pine Meadow Road until the intersection of the Buck Trail. The Buck Trail splits with a northern and western spur. The northern spur is marked with a combined yellow and black blaze, which I took to the main part of the trail, to its terminus at the Seven Hills Trail. I took the Seven Hills Trail down the steep part crossing Seven Lakes Drive and back to my car at the boat launch parking area.

Map of the Route

Lake Sebago at the Boat Launch

Lake Sebago, Looking Southwest

"Foot Travel Only" Sign at Pine Meadow Road

Start of the Buck Trail Northern Spur. Its Easy to Miss this!

Blaze on the other side of the Tree

Garter Snake on the Buck Trail

Buck Trail Northern Spur Blazes almost Entirely Worn Out

Glacial Rock on Conklin Mountain on the Buck Trail

Closer up to the Rock

Me at Lake Sebago Boat Launch