Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Congers Lake Loop Spring Hike

Congers Lake Memorial Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Route 303 Trailway
North Trailway
West Trailway
South Trailway
Memorial Park Trailway

Total Time: 1:00
Estimated Distance: 2.6 miles

Pros: Scenic Lake, Boardwalk
Cons: Area can be busy
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Very Easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/cqoeEfknGUqJNBv66

I was looking forward to a nice hike in good spring weather, but the forecast was calling for rain for the entire day. Looking at the radar in the morning, I noticed that I would have a short window of opportunity to hike before the rain arrived. I still brought rain gear along with me just in case. In fact, about 15 minutes after I completed the hike the rain arrived. The weather was foggy with low visibility, but the temperature was pleasant. Everything was starting to bloom and start looking green.

Congers Lake is a very scenic lake with a walking trail around it. It is very close to Rockland Lake, which is much more popular and well-know. Being that there are signs that the park is only open to Clarkstown residents, it receives a lot less traffic than nearby Rockland Lake. The path is paved, but the trail on the entire western side is a boardwalk above the lake.

I parked in the small parking area off Route 303, slightly beyond Lake Road. I took the trail on the eastern side of the trail north for a short distance to the northern side of the lake, parallel to Lake Road. At first I encountered a Snowy Egret in the water, but then I saw a large flock of swans with perhaps 40 members. I have never seen so many swans together in my life! I then continued along the trail on the western side of the lake, which consists of a boardwalk for its entire length. At the southern part of the lake I encountered yet another large flock of different swans. I then continued around the eastern trail of the lake, going around the bend at the park area, and then walking back to my car.

Map of the Route

Map of the Trails at the Park

Girls Scout Project at the Lake Indicating Animals of Congers Lake

A Foggy Congers Lake

Congers Lake at the Northwestern Corne

Lush Greenery that Recently Emerged

Route 303 Trailway Plaque

Large Spider Web on the Boardwalk

Park-Like Spring Scene Along the North Side of the Lake

Snow Egret

Two Swans in the Lily Pads Area

More Swans

Twisting Boardwak

Me on the Boardwalk

More Views on the Boardwalk

From the Boardwalk Facing North

Looking Across Congers Lake

Me on the Congers Lake Boardwalk

Lots of Swans in Congers Lake

More Swans

Small Floating Dock in the Lake near the Playground Area

View Looking North from the Dock

View from the Dock Looking South

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Campgaw Mountain Spring Hike

Campgaw Mountain Reservation
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Hiking Trails:
Old Cedar Trail: Red blaze
Rocky Ridge Trail: Blue blaze
Dogwood Lane Trail: Pink blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 2.0 miles

Pros: Many trails, good view
Cons: Trails can be confusing
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Map of Route:
https://goo.gl/maps/UDKJ6THC35cwpCoL6

The weather during this week was beautiful, with bright sunny skies and highs in the low 70's. Before going to work I headed out to nearby Campgaw Mountain, where I had been earlier in the year during a snowstorm. The contrast was remarkably different now, with my short sleeves and the sound and feel of spring accentuated by the deep blue sky. I still had experienced some more snow, certainly the very last till next season, which remained at the summit of Campgaw Mountain packed on from a very snowy winter season. It was quite an experience standing on a snow pile in short sleeves in the spring.

I parked at the roadside parking near the Old Cedar Trail, and took the Old Cedar Trail north, crossing Fyke Brook, and then entering and exiting the edge of the large parking lot. I continued up the mountain on the Old Cedar Trail, and then went south along the ridge to the mountain summit. I took the Connector Trail and took a short break for pictures at the summit at the top of the ski lift, which had a great view and the big mound of snow. I then took the Rocky Ridge Trail down the mountain, parallel to the ski and snowtubing slope, down to Fyke Pond at the inlet. I then took the Dogwood Lane Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trail Crossing Sign of the Old Cedar at the Road in Campgaw

Old Cedar Trail at the Beginning of the Hike

Bridge on the Old Cedar Trail Crossing Fyke Brook

Fyke Brook from the Bridge

Yellow Daffodils in Bloom

Trail Intersection near the Top of Campgaw Mountain

Campgaw Mountain from the Ski Slope Summit, with Remaining Patches of Snow

Ski Life at Campgaw Mountain. Facing Northeast.

Another View of the Ski Lift and Snow Patches

Another View Facing Down the Ski Slope

Large Mound of Snow at the Campgaw Ski Summit

Ski Lift Chairs on Campgaw

View from the Snow Mound

Me on the Campagw Summit Snow Mound

Another View at the Snow Mound at the Ski Summit

Small Pond at the Inlet of Fyke Pond

Very Old Sign at Campgaw Describing the Area

Fyke Pond from the Dogwood Lane Trail

Friday, April 2, 2021

Kakiat Early Spring Lower Summit Loop

Kakiat County Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Old Mill Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:55
Estimated Distance: 1.6 miles

Pros: Nice view
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop hike
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/m9vUUiUpJaZ8a4pD6

This was an exceptionally cold and windy day of spring. Although it was already April, it felt more like January. I parked at the Kakiat parking lot, and crossed the Mahwah River bridge and took the Mountain Trail up to the first viewpoint. I then bushwacked along the lower ridge of Kakiat to the Kakiat Trail near its crossing of the Gas Line. I then went down the Kakiat Trail, which I then took a short distance to the Old Mill Trail, which I took back to my car.