Frozen Lake Tiorati Dam and Islands

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.
New York

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic islands and large frozen lake
Cons: None

Hiking Partners:
David Engel
Morty Rosenberg

This was the first frozen lake hike of the season. Due to the freezing temperatures all week, including sub-zero temperatures, the lakes were frozen with ice 10 inches thick. We had decided to go to Lake Tiorati, and parked at the parking area for ice fisherman on Seven Lakes Drive that is only open during the icy season.

We climbed over the hill behind the parking lot, walking through the picnic area, and headed over along the frozen lake towards the southern island, the smaller of the two major islands on the lake. Along the way we encountered many ice fisherman, and most were catching small yellow perch in abundance.

After reaching the southern island, we walked through it from its southern point, and exited near the end on the western side. We found a thick rope there attached to a tree, which we swung across. We then headed towards the northern island, and walked along the path in the middle of the island, exiting at its northern end in a thick evergreen forest of rhododendron and mountain laurel.

We then headed north near the northern end of the lake, and then headed east towards the short by the dock area of the camp. We exited the lake and walked along in the camp area for a short distance before heading back to the lake. We then walked to the eastern end fo the lake, exiting by the dam, and walked across the closed road by the dam, and then going back into the frozen lake, heading west back towards the parking area and our car.

Map of the Route

Me and David in the Picnic Area near the Parking Area

Me and David on a Chair on the Lakeshore

Morty Jumping into the Lake

Frozen Lake Tiorati

David at a Fishing Hole with a Fisherman

Lake Tiorati, Facing North

Fisherman in the Distance on Lake Tiorati

Fisherman with a Freshly Caught Yellow Perch

David Inspecting the Yellow Perch

Me on the Southern Island

Morty Swinging on the Island Rope 

David Swinging on the Island Rope 

Morty Getting More Comfortable Swinging on the Island Rope 

View of the North Island from the South Island

Lake Tiorati from the Middle of the Lake

Lush Greenery on the Northern Island

Morty and David in the Rhododendron Forest

Isolated Pine Tree on the Northern Edge of the Northern Island

Morty Doing Push Ups on the Frozen Lake

Morty and David

Rocky Hills along the Eastern Side of Lake Tiorati

Dock Area at the Camp

Facing West from the Eastern Seashore of Lake Tiorati

Morty Doing More Excercise

David and Morty

Frozen Lake Tiorati Dam

Me and Morty on Tiorati Brook Drive

Icy Slide on the Southern End of the Lake

Me on Lake Tiorati

Allaire State Park Red Trail Loop

Allaire State Park,
Howell
Monmouth County
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Red Trail - Red Blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.8 Miles

Pros: Tranquil area in winter
Cons: All flat and lacks views

I had spent the weekend in Central New Jersey, and scouted the region for a short hike on Sunday morning. This region is within the coastal plain and is entirely flat, so the hiking oppurtunities are limited. Allaire State Park is one of the larger parks of the area and does have several hiking trails.

I parked in the main parking area near Allaire Village. I walked through the village, was had interesting old buildings, but was quiet like a ghost town in the winter. I then crossed a bridge across the brook at the end of the village, and headed back to the parking area, where I then took the Red Trail. I followed this trail the nature center, which was closed in the winter, and then continued along the trail loop until the end of the trail where it ends in a lollipop loop. I then continued back along the trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Plaque at the Trailhead

Signs at the Start of the Trail

Old Housing Complex at the Parking Area

Interpretive Sign at Allaire Village

Mill Pond at Allaire Village

Another View of Mill Pond

Bakery Building in Allaire Village

Some More Old Restore Buildings in Allaire Village

 Bridge at Allaire Village Crossing the Brook

Old Building Alongside the Brook

Frozen Pond Along the Red Trail

Another View of the Pond

Red Trail Loop Terminus Marker

Another Frozen Pond along the Trail

Evergreen Holly Trees Along the Trail

Bear Mountain Ice Storm

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland/Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 0:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.1 Miles

Pros: Scenic area
Cons: Didn't get to do much of a hike

It had just snowed the night before, and the storm became an ice storm after several inches, causing all the tress to be glazed over with ice. Being that it was windy and the trees were covered in ice, I decide to hike at a more populated place, so I chose Bear Mountain.

I parked at the parking area down by the Hudson River Landing, and walked up to the path where it meets the Appalachian Trail at the entrance to the Bear Mountain Zoo. The scenery with everything covered with ice was breathtaking!

I tool the Appalachian Trail underneath Route 9W/202 to Hessian Lake, and proceeded to walk around the lake. After walking for a few minutes, I was approached by a police officer who told me I had to leave since conditions for hiking were unsafe. At this point I turned around and followed the same route back to my car.

Map of the Route

View from the Parking Area

Sign with Ice Droplets

Bridge over the Hessian Lake Outlet Brook 

Hessian Lake Outlet Brook from the Bridge

Ascending on the Path up the Bear Mountain

View of Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River

Bear Mountain from Across Hessian Lake

Frozen Oak Tree at Hessian Lake

Hessian Lake

Hessian Lake and Bear Mountain

Leaves Glazed over in Ice

Another View of the Leaves Covered over in Ice

Ice-Laden Fallen Tree Covering the Path

View of Hudson River facing South Towards Peekskill

Anthony's Nose and the Hudson River