Lake Skanatati Harriman Stroll

Harriman State Park
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:35 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.1 miles (roundtrip)
Level of Difficulty: Very easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short but pretty walk in the woods
Points Of Interest: Pretty Path alongside lake
Pros: Very relaxing walk in the woods
Cons: None

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was a very short weekday hike. It was more like a stroll in the woods then a hike. I parked in the Lake Skanatati Parking area, and took the Long Path around the side of the lake all the way towards the inlet stream of the lake. Once I hit the stream I turned back and came back the same route.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati from the Parking Area

Lake Skanatati from the Parking Area

Lake Skanatati from the Long Path

Lake Skanatati from the Long Path

Ice Caves and Verkeerder Falls

Sam's Point Preserve
Ulster County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Sam's Point Trail: Unblazed
Loop Road: Unblazed
Ice Caves Trail: White blaze
Long Path (Verkerdeer Falls Trail): Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 6.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Sam's Point, Ice Caves, and Verkeerder Falls 
Pros: Excellent views, Ice Caves Scramble, and large waterfall
Cons: Too much exposed sun, not enough single-track trails

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map


This is one of the most beautiful areas in the region. With dramatic views, tight scrambles, and sheer cliffs, it is one of my most highly recommended hikes. But first, the downside: The Sam's Point Preserve is managed by the Nature Conservancy. This Preserve would be much better off as a state park with more trails and exploration points. There are only few trails in the area when there could be far more, and many of them are exposed carriage roads not conducive for enjoyable hiking. Also, I got there in the morning when there was plenty of parking, but when I finished the hike and was leaving, there were no spots and they were turning people away. There was plenty of room on the side of the road coming in to Sam's Point, but they don't allow parking here and are up tight about this. It irked me very much to see people who traveled from far distances to get here and being turned away. This to me is not acceptable. They should provide alternative overflow parking on the road side outside of the entrance during busy weekends!

I parked at the main entrance, and took the Sam's Point Trail up, going through the important shortcut which cuts out much of the carriage loop. I then cut across again at Sam's Point at that small scramble directly below the Sam's Point view. From Sam's Point I headed along the Loop Road and veered off to the road to the Ice Caves. I then went through the half-mile Ice Caves trail which goes through caves, crevices, and under overhangs. Upon emerging and climbing the ladder up, instead of going back to the Ice Cave Entrance, I bushwacked west to the Long Path. Some parts of this bushwack are through thick Huckleberry groves, but its only a short way to the Long Path.

I went on the Long Path north a little under two miles to Verkeerder Falls. The falls are usually pretty dried up in August, but it still had a good flow to it due to the recent rains. I turned around at the falls and went back up the Long Path, and continued along back towards Sam's Point and then the entrance parking area. This last stretch was exposed without any shade, and was not comfortable.

Map of the Route. Shawangunk Trails Southern Map (104)

Cliffs Below Sam's Point

Sam's Point

Sam's Point - Facing West Towards the  Catskills

View from Sam's Point - Facing South Towards the Hudson Valley

Loop Road/Long Path.
As you can see this route is very exposed to the sun with little shade.

Road Approaching the Ice Caves,
with Minnewaska State Park in the Distance

Ice Caves Trailhead Sign

View at the Beginning of the Ice Caves Descent

Looking Behind Descending into the Ice Caves

Trail Going Thru Deep Crevice in the Ice Caves

Ladders Ascending Rocks in Ice Caves

Bridge Going Thru the Ice Caves

Me at the Ice  Caves Exit

Low Tree Cover, while Bushwacking Towards the Long Path from the Ice Caves

Verkeerder Kill Before its Plunge Into the Waterfall

Verkeerder Falls

Verkerdeer Falls

Me in front of Verkeerder Falls

Me in front of Verkeerder Falls

View From Verkeerder Falls.
The Ice Caves are straight ahead at the angle point.

Sheer Cliff at Verkeerder Falls

Popolopen Loop Bear Mountain State Park

Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
1777-1779 Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.7 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult but short
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good scramble and outstanding views 
Pros: Good scramble up mountain, panoramic views
Cons: You can hear the noise from the Palisades Parkway the whole time.

Hiking Partner:
Avigael Friedman

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

Popolopen is one of the best short hikes in the area. It climbs steeply up a rocky scramble to an outstanding view, but its a pretty quick round trip hike. The whole hike can be done in about 45 minutes. We had planned to park on Mine Road at the trailhead where Popolopen climbs the mountain, but there was a truck with a modular house on it making a delivery blocking the entire road. It didn't look like they were moving any time soon, so I just parked my car on the side of the road right there and took the combined Timp-Torne/1777-9 Trail where it emerges from the road. This more then doubled the length of the hike, but this part is very easy. We took the trail to the western spur of the trail, which is the better loop to climb up Popolopen. We then took the other route down, and went along the trail confluences back to the car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain State Park - Northern Map

View While Ascending

Ditto

View from the top facing the Bear Mountain Plateau.
Facing South.

View Facing Southwest Towards the Palisades Parkway

Me at the Top

View Facing North

View Facing Southeast Towards the Hudson River,
The Bear Mountain Bridge, and Anthony's Nose

Over the Mighty  Hudson

Classic Popolopen View of the Bear Mountain Bridge and Anthony's Nose

Ringwood Manor Trail Loop

Ringwood State Park
Passaic County,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Manor Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Not Recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic mansion gardens and grounds, tranquil lake 
Pros: Pretty walk through mansion property,
Cons: $8 charge for parking, first part of hiking trail is an old road rather then traditional hiking trail,

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

The weather was rainy and steamy, so I had to pick a short hike that was not too intense. Although for most of the hike it was not raining, it did rain steadily for some time and I got considerably wet. I parked in the Ringwood Manor Parking lot, and walked alongside the Ringwood Manor Mansion next to the marble pillars and small pond. I continued through the grassy area alongside the south part of the Ringwood Mill Pond, where I picked up the Manor Trail. This is a loop trail that starts and ends at the same point. It is a rather uninteresting trail without any viewpoints or points of interest, aside from an old historical cemetery along the trail. After completing the loop and getting very wet, I explored the property a bit more and walked through some of the gardens and groves before heading back to my car in the main parking lot.

Map of the Route

Marble Pillar Columns on the Manor Grounds

Small Pond in Front of the Manicured Grounds

The Western Side of the Manor

Mill Pond from the Northern Side

Another View of Mill Pond

Old Historic Cemetery Along the Trail

Trail Passing Underneath a Fallen Tree

Confluence of Trails at the Beginning of the Loop

Peters Kill Area, Minnewaska State Park

Ulster County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Red Loop Trail: Red blaze
Yellow Connector Trail: Yellow blaze
High Peters Kill Trail: Blue blaze
Bullwheel Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:45
Estimated Distance: 3.3 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest:  Scenic brook, good view, and interesting terrain
Pros: Overall very scenic area
Cons: $8 charge for parking, very little shade on last part of hike

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This hike was the first day after the official heat wave of 2013, where we had temperatures in the mid to upper 90's for a week straight. Though it wasn't in  the 90's, it was still in the upper 80's with a full sun and was pretty hot. I parked in the Peter's Kill Area off Route 44/55, and took the Red Loop Trail down to the Peter's Kill. At the bottom of the stream I took the short Yellow Connector Trail to the High Peter's Kill Trail. I then climbed up the western flank above the Peter's Kill, which is a plateau, expecting to find a good view there as the map says. While there is a view near the top, it is pretty overgrown and not too impressive.

I then went back down the trail to the Peter's Kill, crossed it, and then continued on the High Peter's Kill Trail up the steep climb on the eastern flank of the Peter's Kill. Near the top on the right there is a barrens area of white rock with an outstanding vista with views towards the main part of Minnewaska and the Catskills to the north.

I then continued along the High Peter's Kill Trail to the intersection of the Bullwheel Trail, and then took the Bullwheel Trail down. The top part of the Bullwheel Trail is covered with short brush and exposed, and much of the trail going down is also exposed. At the end of the Bullwhell Trail I decided to cover the other part of the Red Loop Trail that goes down to the Peter's Kill, so I took that trail again and veered off an old route that goes straight down to the Kill on the right. From there I took the Red Loop Trail back up the stream and then veered along with it to the east as it climbed the side of the ravine. At the top the trail goes through an exposed area and passes rock climbing cliffs to the left. Due to the heat and sun bearing down on me, I veered off to the left in the woods and following an a climbing trail back to the parking area.

Map of the Route
Shawangunk Trails: Mohonk Preserve

Carriageway leading into the beginning of the hike from the parking area

Brand new bridge crossing the Peter's Kill.
There was still fresh sawdust from cutting the wood from this bridge.

View from the Western Flank of the Peter's Kill Gorge.
The rocks across the deep valley are the view from
where the subsequent view pictures were taken.

View from the eastern flank of the Peter's Kill Gorge,
on the High Peter's Kill Trail.
Looking south towards Beacon Hill.

Me at the Above View

Me at the Above View, Facing North

From the Above View Facing North Towards the Catskill High Peaks

Large Exposed Area on the Bullwheel Trail

View from the Red Loop Trail Descending Towards the Peter's Kill
Facing North. I believe that  Mountain up Ahead is Slide Mountain

Peter's Kill Flowing  through the White Quartz Rock.
The Water Level is Low

A nice natural pool in the Peter's Kill.
Though swimming is not allowed here, you will often
see people swimming here