Tom Jones & Parker Cabin Mountain Spring Hike

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Shelter Trail Spur: White blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Highly scenic area of park with good views
Cons: None

Hiking Partner:
Jeff Neeman

The weather had been warm, presenting the first opportunity of the season to hike in shirt sleeves. The road to this area is closed in the winter, and this was the first weekend that it was open for the season. We parked on Lake Kanawauke Road (County Route 106) at the Tom Jones trailhead at the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail. We took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail up Tom Jones Mountain, past the view, and then took the short spur to the shelter, where there is a great view.

We then went back to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail down the other side of the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, and then climbed up Parker Cabin Mountain. We climbed up to the view, then turned around back down Parker Cabin Mountain. We then took the Victory Trail back to the road, where we had the second car parked.

Map of the Route

Ascending Tom Jones Mountain

View Looking Northeast At Tom Jones Mountain

Jeff Neeman on Tom Jones

Me on Tom Jones Mountain

Another View of Jeff on Tom Jones Mnt

Rock at the top of Tom Jones Mountain with a Trail Marker

View on Top of  Tom Jones Mountain

Jeff at Tom Jones Mountain

Me atop Tom Jones Mountain

Trail Marking of the Short Path to the Shelter

View from the Shelter, with Lake Sebago in View

Jeff at the View at Tom Jones Mountain Shelter

Me at the View at Tom Jones Mountain Shelter

Lake Sebago in the Distance

Another View from the Tom Jones Shelter

Jeff in front of the Tom Jones Mountain Shelter

View of the Forest at Tom Jones Mountain

View at Parker Cabin Mountain, Facing South

Me at the View at Parker Cabin Mountain

View at Parker Cabin Mountain, Facing West

Jeff at Parker Cabin Mountain View

Another View at the Parker Cabin Mountains, Facing West

Celery Farm Loop

Allendale
Bergen Co.
New Jersey

Total Time: 0:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Lots of birds and wildlife
Cons: More urban setting

The Celery Farm is a freshwater wetlands preserve in suburban Allendale, New Jersey. It has a large amount of birds and another animal species. I had gone to a tradeshow in nearby Midland Park, so did not have the time for a larger hike. It was also raining, which limited my hike options. The rain was light and the weather warm, so I had a light jacket which kept me dry. I parked at the trailhead on Franklin Turnpike, and the the trail looping around the loop, going north at the west side of the lake, and then looping around.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Signs and Information

Walking through the Swampgrass Area

Abandoned Rusting Tractor Along the Trail

Northern End of the Lake

Bird Viewing Platform

View from Platform of the Eastern Side of the Lake

View Looking South from the Viewing Platform

View at the Lake Outlet on the South Side of the Lake

Another View of the Southern Side of the Lake

Mallard in the Lake

View near the Trailhead at the End of the Hike

Appalachian Trail Mombasha High Point

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

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Allis Trail: Blue blaze
Doris Duke Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Very quiet and serene area
Cons: None

I am trying to complete my traversing of the Appalachian Trail in New York State. The previous week featured a hike from Fitzgerald Falls to Sterling Mountain. This trail approaching the same summit but from the other side. I parked on West Mombasha Road, and took the Appalachian Trail westward, along section of boardwalks for several hundred feet. I continued along the tail up the mountain to Mombasha High Point. I then continued along the trail, and then bushwacked for a short distance south to the Doris Duke Trail. I went a short distance on the Doris Duke Trail to the Allis Trail intersection, where there is a nice view facing eastward. I took the Allis Trail to its end at the Appalachian Trail after passing the next view, and then took the Appalachian Trail back east, retracing my steps along the trail back to my car.

Boardwalk at the Beginning of the Hike

Small Pond near the Beginning of the Hike

Dwarf Pines Approaching Mombasha High Point

Ascending Mombasha High Point

Appalachian Trail at Mombasha High Point

View from Mombasha High Point

Another View from Mombasha High Point

Interesting Pine Tress Along the Trail

View from Sterling Mountain, Facing East

Another View

Me at the Above View

Wooden Marker Along the Trail Intersection 

Ascending on the Allis Trail

Allis Trail at the Veiw

Evergreen Trees along the Allis Trail View

Allis Trail View

Me at the Allis Trail View

Marker at the End of the Allis Trail

View Facing North at Mombasha High Point

Another View at Mombasha High Point, Looking at Lake Mombasha