Lake Askoti - Hasenclever Mountain

Harriman State Park,
Orange County
(and a small bit of Rockland County)
New York

Trails:
Arden Surebridge (ASB) - Red Triange Blaze
Red Cross (RC) - Red Cross Blaze
Long Path (LP) - Green Blaze

Hiking Partner:
Marc Kushner

Total Time: 3 Hours
Total Distance: 2.5 Miles

This was another enjoyable fall day with beautiful foliage and a beautiful sky. Went a little slower on this hike to enjoy nature and take pictures. Started at the parking area at Lake Skanatati off of Seven Lakes Drive. Climbed up the ASB Trail to the view atop Pine Swamp Mountain, where an excellent view of Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanauwake are afforded. From the view spurred off on the RC Trail, back down the mountain, across Seven Lakes Drive, and onto the shore of Lake Askoti.

This part of the Lake is very serene with boulder jagging into the crystal clear water. We spent some time here just taking photos and enjoying the setting. Then continued up the trail as it climbed the eastern part of Hasenclever Mountain. There is a great view here, which isn't shown on the Trail Conference Map, where you can see all the way to Hogencamp Mountain very clearly. Continued along the RC Trail past the Telephone Wires and to intersection with the dirt road near Hasenclever Road.

Our original plan was to spur off to the Hasenclever Mine, but due to time constraints we took this road back towards the shore of Lake Askoti. Because of all the leaves on trail, we accidentally ventured off the road and ended up bushwacking near the shore of the lake until 7 Lakes Drive, and then took a tiny portion of the Long Path back to the car.

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Map of the route

Lake Skannatati from the parking area.

Ascending Pine Swamp Mountain on the ASB

On top of Pine Swamp Mountain.

Facing south towards Lake Skannatati and Kanawauke

Pine Swamp Mountain view facing southwest.

Zoom into Little Long Pond and Black Rock Mnt.

Facing southeast.

Me at the view of Pine Swamp Mountain

Marc and I atop Pine Swamp Mnt.

Facing south.

Same location facing west,

towards Hogencamp Mnt.

Marc took a picture of me showing him the map.

Crossing 7 Lakes Drive on the Red Cross

Lake Askoti near the northern shore

 Me on a rock on the north shore of Lake Askoti

A man boating in Lake Askoti

View from the lookout on eastern

part of Hasenclever Mountain.

Facing west towards Hogencamp Mountain.

Zoomed on Hogencamp Mountain from above view.

Black Vulture.

Me walking on the Red Cross Trail

 The Telephone Lines crossing the Red Cross Trail

A Tree along the Red Cross Trail

Lake Askoti from the eastern shore.

Lake Askoti from Seven Lakes Drive.

Facing northeast.

ORAK Ruin and Fire Tower

Harriman State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Trails:
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail (SBM) - Yellow Blaze

Total Time: 1:15 Hours
Total Distance: 2 Miles

This hike was a beautiful autumn day at the peak of the foliage colors. I took a little bit of time off of work to enjoy the fall and the weather. Parked the car at the top of the large hill on Gate Hill Road, right where it crosses the Minesceongo Creek. Took the SBM trail up the service road to Jackie Jones Tower, and then went along the trail to the abadoned road at the ORAK ruin.

The ORAK ruin is composed of several abandoned structures that are interesting to explore. According to the book "Harriman Trails: A guide and History" by William J. Myles, he states that the ORAK Ruin was a mansion that belonged to George Briggs Buchanan, a vice president of KARO Syrup company. In 1939, the park bought the property from Buchanan, and demolished them in 1973.

From the ORAK ruin continued along to the trail past the Jackie Jones communication tower, and then to the Fire Tower. Climbed the Fire Tower to get an unbelievable view. Took the same route back.

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Map of the Route

The gatehouse at the ORAK Ruin

One of the structures at the ruin.

Jackie Jones Communications Relay Tower

The Fire Tower behind the trees

Atop the Fire Tower.

Facing east towards Haverstraw and Hudson.

View of High Tor and Bowline Power Plant.

Zoom into High Tor with Hudson River.

Looking north towards Bear Mountain,

on the right, and Bare Rock Mountain

to the far left, and Breakneck Ridge

in the very far center background.

Zoom into Bear Mountain. Facing North.

Facing west towards Lake Welch.

Facing west towards Lake Welch with

Fire Tower grid in view.

Me on the Fire Tower

A Swiss fellow hiker, Jag, climbing the Tower.
Jag was kind enough to send me some pictures to post.

A picture of me on the Fire Tower.

Taken and graciously sent to me by

fellow hiker Jag, who is also a great

photographer.

On the SBM where it goes down the service road.

Absolutely stunning autumn foliage!

Long Path - Lake Skanatati

Harriman State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Total Time: 1:15 Hours
Total Distance: 2 Miles

I had attempted to hike to the Hogencamp Mine on this early autumn day, but I ran out of time on the hike, so only made it 3/4 of the way before I had to turn back. The sky was very clear and the tress had just started changing color. I started at the Long Path at the parking lot off of 7 Lakes Drive at Lake Skanatati, and went along the same trail some 3/4 the the way to the Hogencamp Mine before turning around and taking the same return route.

I took pictures at the end facing Lake Skanatati and then climbed up to Lake Askoti for some more beautiful fall foliage photos.

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Map of the route.

Lake Skanatati from the Long Path.
Facing south towards 7 Lakes Drive.

Lake Skanatati from Long Path.
Facing Parking area at Lake.

Lake Askoti and 7 Lakes Drive.
Facing North from Long Path crossing.

Lake Askoti. Facing East.

Lake Askoti. Facing North.

Lake Askoti. What a shot!
Facing east.

Claudius Smith Den

Harriman State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Partner:
My Father-in-Law,
Morris Schulgasser

Total Time: 1:45 Hours
Total Distance: 3.3 Miles

The weather on Sundays has just been phenomenal. This was a crystal clear day about 70 degrees. Parked at the Ramapo Dunderberg (R-D) trailhead in Tuxedo. Crossed under the Thruway and started ascending the mountain. Much of this portion of the trail has been improvised and rerouted and it has been modified quite a bit since the last time I was here. At about 15 or 20 minutes hit the first viewpoint, which is a nice overlook of the village of Tuxedo and Sterling Forest across the Thruway. Continued along the R-D, past the gas pipleline and to the Tuxedo Mount Ivy (TMI) Trail. This is the beginning of the TMI Trail. Took the TMI to Claudius Smith Den and then climbed the cliff up to the top of the den.

The Claudius Smith Den is a massive rock outcrop with a cave formation formed as slabs weathered off the cliff. It is named after Claudius Smith, a notorious bandit who used its tunnels as a hideout during the Revolutionary War. He was captured and hanged in Goshen in 1779. At the top of the formation is an excellent and well-known viewpoint.

From the top of the Den headed north on the Blue Disc Trail. There is also a nice view at this point of the Blue Disc before descending down to the Black Ash Swamp. Descended down the Blue Disc trail to its terminus at the Black Ash Swamp. (This swamp has a very cool natural rock formation causing the swamp to dam.) At this point took a left on the R-D Trail again, and veered off of it shortly thereafter taking the woods road to the Triangle Trail. Headed south on the Triangle Trail back to the R-D Trail, and took the R-D back to the car.

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Map of the Route

View of Tuxedo from Smith Rock. Facing south.

Close up of Tuxedo. Taken from Smith Rock.

My Father-in-Law in front of Claudius Smith Den

Me at the cave in front of the Den

A better look into the cave.

On the top of Claudius Smith Den.

Facing west on the Blue Disc Trail.

Me at the top of Claudius Smith Den.
With the Blue Disc Trail marker.

My Father-in-Law atop Claudius Smith Den.

View from the Den facing South.

View from Den facing West.

At the high point on the Blue Disc Trail
north of the Den.
Our friend the dog who accompanied
us for much of the hike.