Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Victory Trail

Showing posts with label Victory Trail. Show all posts

Sunday, September 6, 2026

Parker Cabin Mountain White Cross Swamp

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
White Cross Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:20
Estimated Distance: 3.7 Miles

Pros: Great views, quiet and scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/JUDwDRHorXP9xj329

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was a beautiful late summer day, and we hiked this very scenic area of Harriman which is one of my favorite local hikes. We parked at the Victory Trailhead on Kanawauke Road, and took the Victory Trail for a short distance to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail and climbed up Parker Cabin Mountain. We took pictures at both views and then continued down the scramble down the mountain, and continued down on the White Bar Trail. We then went up the mountain on the White Bar Trail, passing the large swamp, back to the top of Parker Cabin Mountain. We then continued along the same route back to our car.

Map of the Route

Large rock face ascending Parker Cabin Mountain

View at Parker Cabin Mountain, Facing Jackie Jones

View at Parker Cabin Mountain, Facing Lake Sebago

View at the South Facing View at Parker Cabin Mountain

Swamp Adjacent to the White Bar Trail

Ascent Back up Parker Cabin Mountain

Sunday, November 30, 2025

Parker Cabin Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:35
Estimated Distance: 3 miles

Pros: Quiet, very scenic area and great views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Figure 8 Loop

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zx8CTCHkaCfNFq3aA

Hiking Partner:
Joseph Friedman

This was the first snow of the season. On the mountain on the higher areas of Harriman, it started off as light snow which gradually increased. Towards the end of the hike, the snow turned wet and as we left Harriman and went to a lower elevation, the snow turned to rain.

We parked at the Victory Trail trailhead, and then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail up Parker Cabin Mountain to the first view. We then proceeded to the second view at the south part of the mountain which is a sweeping view and one of the best in Harriman. We climbed down the scramble, and then took the White Bar Trail to the Triangle Trail, back to Parker Cabin Mountain. We then took the remainder of the route the same way back to our car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Sign on the Victory Trail

Ascending Parker Cabin Mountain

Parker Cabin Mountain, First View

Lake Sebago from the First View on Parker Cabin

View Towards Jackie Jones from Parker Cabin Mountain

Approaching the Main View on Parker Cabin

Parker Cabin Mountain View

Snow on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail

Mountain Laurels Ascending Parker Cabin Mountain

Sunday, September 14, 2025

Lake Skenonto and Parker Cabin Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow blaze
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake and good views, quiet area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/VugCqpEaURAKxc5g8

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick
Jacob Baldinger

We parked at the Victory Trail trailhead. We took the trail along the foot of Tom Jones Mountain to Lake Skenonto. Lake Skenonto is one of the most remote lakes in Harriman State Park, with no road access and only access by trail. There are several different rocky overlooks this scenic lake. We walked along the trail from the north side of the lake to the south side on the Victory Trail.

We then took the Triangle Trail up to Parker Cabin Mountain. This is a very difficult trail up, with the last park a steep scramble where there is a nice view on top of Lake Sebago. We then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail north down the mountain and then back to the Victory Trail and back to our car at the trailhead.