Busy day at Harriman State Park | Woodland Walks The views are nonstop, the terrain is varied and the light rock scrambling is enjoyable. We went to the southwest corner of Harriman, a part of the park I had never visited before. Harriman State Park #1 - Reeves Meadow Visitor Center; Sloatsburg, NY. 778.5. Length: 6 miles of overlapping trails available Hiking in Harriman - | My Harriman Directions: Iron Mines Loop #3. Nice sights up to the Russian Bear cliff, took HTS and joined the 7 hills. Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Pyngyp ... If you're comparing the Lemon Squeezer at Harriman State Park to the Lemon Squeeze at Mohonk Mountain House, you'll probably be a little disappointed. There are beautiful views of Harriman State Park and Lake Skenonto to the south at the top of the mountain, so this is a good place to rest and have a meal. For driving, Harriman State Park, connected to Bear Mountain, is the best. Harriman is located just over the border in NY and has an extensive (and popular) network of hiking trails. 0 Facebook Twitter Pinterest Linkedin Email. Elevation Gain: 2,536 Ft. Today I returned Harriman State Park, one of my favorite parks in the area due to its beauty and sheer volume of trails. Some of the climbs involve rock scrambles, and this is one of the most challenging hikes in Harriman State Park. This is a 8.6 mile loop hike with 1600 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. rock scrambles, and a beautiful loop around Pine Meadow Lake. Track (10/3/20, 11:01:33AM) Nice but slow pace. The Ultimate Guide to Harriman State Park, New York ... Total Distance: approximately 5.2 miles Difficulty: Medium (about 1,100'+ total elevation gain) Estimated hiking time: 3+ hours (individual) From the parking lot take the path through the middle of the field eastward to get to the treeline. Harriman State Park and Beyond Follow Hershel Friedman's hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. Posted on May 12, 2013 by Charlie. It's also just an hour's drive from Midtown. The yellow-blazed Suffern-Bear Mountain trail at the top of Pyngyp Mountain. Leading up to Chipmunk Mountain, hikers will encounter rock scrambles and beautiful views. I was astounded. Total Distance: 10.6 miles Difficulty: Medium plus (medium hills, 1273' gain) Estimated hiking time: 5.5+ hours (~6.5+ group) From the parking lot take the path through the middle of the field eastward to get onto the Appalachian Trail (AT, white blazes) heading north (eastbound). At the top, the blue blazes end at a stealth campsite near the cliff's edge. For hikes involving long bouts of rock scrambling, consider purchasing a dog harness. So much so, that when I drove into the southern entrance of the park, there were approximately sixty — that's 60 — cars parked on the side of the road on either side of the visitor center. Harriman State Park is New York's 2nd largest park, boasting over 200 miles of hiking trails. The Reeves Brook trail starts at the Reeves Meadow trailhead parking area. Harriman State Park and Beyond Follow Hershel Friedman's hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. Do not attempt this hike if the ground is wet or covered with snow or ice. Location: Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine, NJ . The Reeves Brook trail starts at the Reeves Meadow trailhead parking area. Some very minor scrambling in the last bit of the hike, but that can avoided and is noted in the route below. 84 reviews Parks, Hiking "The Lemon Squeezer trail and the trails along the Seven Lakes Drive are the most popular if you want to hike." See all Harriman State Park reviews . Miles: 7.0 or 5.5. Checking the map at Paradise Rock. We decided it was too cold in the Catskills (temps in the teens and 45 mph winds on the summits) for us, so we chose a short local hike. Many suggest that this is one of the best hikes at Harriman State Park. This is real hiking so watch out for bears, snakes and various other critters. Harriman State Park and Beyond Follow Hershel Friedman's hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. The Seven Hills trail alone is about 6.5 miles point to point, and has roughly 1,500 feet of elevation gain. Take the AT until you intersect the Ramapo . The last time I hiked Harriman State Park had to be in the middle to late 80s with my scout troop. Turn right and walk over open rock slabs a short distance to panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Bear Mountain Bridge, and Bear Mountain-Harriman State Park. Submitted by Jeremiah Zion Lo "The Land of Many Streams" It is going to snow today! This hike is for you if: You want to take in some of the best views in the Hudson Valley, and you . Trailhead Directions: From the NYS Thruway, take… The trailhead is located on Grove Drive in Tuxedo, NY in a residential neighborhood. I got off the train at Sloatsburg and hiked along Seven Lakes Drive to the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center. Harriman State Park. I have no idea where we hiked; I remember a winter hike to one of the shelters, but I couldn't tell you which shelter - it was a long time ago. Difficulty: 9 out of 10 (short, ridiculously steep climb) Highlights: gentle-ish descent, insane views, rock scrambling. Find More Hikes in Hudson Valley + Catskills. But go! The landscape in and around Harriman State Park is quite rugged, with many exposed rock surfaces and boulders littering the ground that must be climbed over. While it wasn't nearly as large as the mountains in the Catskills, it was still big enough that the climb would be fun. Video: Ramapo Reservation Hike 11-15-2009. It's a really interesting and fun section of the trail: The AT goes through an opening created by rocks, then you need to squeeze through a narrow section about 8-10′ long. The trail started with a very steep rock scramble, and was pretty much up and down all the way, to culminate with the hardest climb twenty minutes before the end. This short loop is challenging, but not to the point of being overwhelming. However, despite the thousands of people that visit the area each year, the mountain still has a few secrets that only a few hikers in the area are aware of. From the parking area, head west on Route 106 for a short distance, then cross the road just before the bridge over the stream. Many suggest that this is one of the best hikes at Harriman State Park. from Harriman Hikers Photos @ Flickr. Harriman State Park between Rockland and Orange countries. . Short Day: Blue Disc Trail. Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (crazy rock scrambles) Type: Loop . Up and away from the city's upwardly stacking financial, commercial and residential skylines exists a far more peaceful place, Harriman State Park, where plant life is far more abundant. Pretty views highly trafficked . Hacklebarney State Park - CLICK FOR VIRTUAL HIKE. ft. 160. rise. The Reeves Brook trail starts at the Reeves Meadow trailhead parking area. From Route 17, we turned east onto Seven Lakes Drive, and parked at the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center. Hiking Trails: Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze. Man! Lake Skenonto provided a great backdrop to enjoy during lunch. Home⎟Hikes & Wanderings⎟New York⎟The Gunks⎟Bonticou Crag Distance: 3 miles Time: 2.5 hours Difficulty: Moderate, some rock scrambling involved. Harriman Hikers. . To take yourself upward (without any constructed stairs or engineered elevators) you can scramble through the rock formations littered with crunchy, fallen . On top of that, the trail was tricky to follow, with turns that were not obvious and could easily be missed, and in a part of Harriman State Park I wasn't familiar with. Tripod Rock looms ahead on a scrubby stone altar among the laurel with two smaller Tripod Rocks, side-by-side facing out over a valley. Some of the best hiking in New York State is found only 25 miles north of New York City. Harriman State Park is in the Yellowstone II caldera and, since it is flat, it is a perfect place for raising cattle. And on the trails,the journey is just as enchanting as the view, the lake, the lean-to — whatever your destination. Harriman State Park - Kakiat and Pine Meadow Lake Loop Hiked on July 4, 2016 . Harriman State Park is a state park in New York. Harriman State Park NY from Harriman Hikers Photos @ Flickr. . Total Distance: approximately 7.2 miles Difficulty: Medium (about 1,300'+ total elevation gain) Estimated hiking time: 4.5+ hours From the parking lot take the path through the middle of the field eastward to get to the treeline. Harriman State Park, Rockland Co., New York. The Appalachian Trail and Long Path travel thru the park. More about the First Annual Irishman's Suffern to Bear Mountain Run in a later post! Parking: Tiorati Circle. Seeing it was just under a 30-minute drive, the was a perfect start to a winter morning. Total ascent: 646 ft. Max elevation: 584 ft above sea level. Distance: 1.5 miles, Loop. Devil's Path. So this week, we've rounded up two of Harriman's best hikes—one for the die-hard quad busters, and one for the rest of us. Take N.J. Route 17 north to the New York State Thruway and take the first exit, Exit 15A (Sloatsburg). You can hike its sections of the Appalachian Trail and Long Path, visit the popular rock formation Lemon Squeezer, or make a swift trek up Long Mountain, which provides awesome views. Leading up to Chipmunk Mountain, hikers will encounter rock scrambles and beautiful views. Just to the south of Breakneck Ridge, Bull Hill (or Mount Taurus) offers rock scrambles and amazing views of the Hudson River, Storm King Mountain, Breakneck Ridge, and Cold Spring. There is a route around it, if you so . Park in Kakiat Park and head toward the bathroom hut to the path across the drive, near where cars enter the parking area. Harriman State Park is something I've overlooked for years. You can even loop the leash around your waist before tying it to his/her collar or harness so you have a safety line between the two of you. Perhaps the biggest secret is the rock slab on Bear Mountain's Southwest slope. […] Directions to trailhead. Great views though. Stockbridge Mountain. Short scramble up Almost Perpendicular . From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here. . Bear Mountain is one of New York State's most popular public parks. 1. Harriman State Park and Beyond Follow Hershel Friedman's hiking excursions in all types of weather and terrain in the lower New York / Hudson Highlands area. It was a very enjoyable hike. Leading up to Chipmunk Mountain, hikers will encounter rock scrambles and beautiful views. All Trails helped me find Claudius Smith's Den trail. "Almost Perpendicular" is a steep rocky scramble to a nice viewpoint, and "Elbow Brush" is a short squeeze through a rock crevice. Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties, is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, two beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species, vistas and vantage points. Don't feel like actually traveling all around the five boroughs to get your sense of New York City geography? Breakneck is a serious rock scramble (hope you don't have a fear of heights. After the Squeezer, you can scramble up a rock face, or skirt off to the left . Gorgeous streams, small waterfalls, rock scrambling, views- this trail has it all! Harriman State Park: Jones Point : Elk Pen Five Mile Circular: 5.2: medium: 3+ C: 1,100'+ Harriman State Park: Elk Pen / Arden Valley Road : Elk Pen - Lemon Squeezer Circular: 7.2: moderate+: 4.5+ C/D: 1,300'+ Harriman State Park: Elk Pen / Arden Valley Road : Elk Pen - Lichen Trail Circular: 7.3: moderate+: 4.5+ C/D: 1,400'+ Harriman State . Our first day of very cold weather. Bald Rocks Shelter via Kanawauke Road is a 2.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Southfields, New York that features a great forest setting and is rated as moderate. ©www.myharriman.com. Sterling Forest State Park, established in 1998, has almost 22,000 acres, including a number of stone walls. Although I like the Gerturde's Nose Trail at Minnewaska State Park as well. To make it even better, it looked like there would be rock scrambling here! The trail made it's way to the base of the mountain, the Ramapo Torne. Attractions: Astounding views across the Hudson, a challenging rock scramble + a waterfall! The Lemon Squeezer is a rock formation on the Appalachian Trail in Harriman State Park, NY. We hiked the Seven Hills Trail in Southern Harriman State Park, along with a few others. 7.5 miles. Finally I came upon the start of the steep climb up. Difficulty: Moderate. Read more. In the 1800s, a consortium of investors purchased 16,000 acres and set up a private retreat and a cattle ranch on the land. This hike features streams, waterfalls, and picturesque views. My hiking partners today were Suri, Greg and Malky. From there, I started at the red blazed Pine Meadow Trail, merged onto the yellow blazed Stony Brook Trail and eventually the white blazed Kakiat Trail, passing by many . I've found a couple of lakes and trails and one magnificent vista deep in the woods where you can slide out of your clothes and enjoy nature naturally. Oh Harriman, we adore your wacky place names: Almost Perpendicular, Elbow Brush, Claudius Smith Den… and this moderate to difficult hike takes in all three. Harriman State Park is a very popular place to go hiking in the lower Hudson Valley. Harriman State Park, at 41,618 acres, is the second-largest state park in New York. you are presented with a scramble up a good-sized rock. Service For Gene Doleschal Sunday, November 1st, 2009 2:30pm. This hike can can be routed to follow the Seven Hills trail, which incorporates several steep uphill ascents with some exciting rock scrambles, adding a level of difficulty. Harriman is abundant with water sources, as I encountered over a dozen streams on this hike alone. The trail is primarily used for hiking and nature trips and is best used from March until November. Appalachian Trail, Bear Mountain, Harriman State Park, Breakneck Ridge, Hudson High A moderately difficult climb up rock scrambles and varied terrain will reward you with breathtaking views of the Catskills. Spread over Rockland and Orange counties, Harriman is vast, with sparkling lakes, more than 200 miles of rugged trails and even a few beaches. With more than 200 miles of hiking trails, the 48,000-acre Harriman State Park is a hiker's paradise. ©www.myharriman.com. Approximate roundtrip time: 1.5 hours. Skip to content. Do not attempt this hike if the ground is wet or covered with snow or ice. Video: Harriman Hikers 2009 Sunday-After-Thanksgiving Hike Sunday, November 29, 2009. Recently I've been drawn to the park more since it is about a 20-minute drive. Harriman State Park is New York's 2nd largest park, boasting over 200 miles of hiking trails. From the parking area, head west on Route 106 for a short distance, then cross the road just before the bridge over the stream. The hike has a combination of easy to moderate climbs with a few rock scrambles. The 47,000+ acres of Harriman State Park borders Bear Mountain State Park with connecting trails and camping areas that link the two historic areas together and . Start the trail going counterclockwise to avoid a steep downhill rock scramble. Harriman State Park. ★ ★ ★ ★ tjump 1 year, 2 months ago . followed by a short but steep rock scramble. Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. On the HTS someone had done some . The Lemon Squeezer is a great spot and absolutely worth a visit, but it's not the one-of-a-kind adventure you'll find at Mohonk, and not really a destination in and of itself. Notes: No hunting Harriman hike. It is a circuitous scramble tour, up two big scrambles and down two big scrambles, through Harriman State Park that starts at the Kakiat trailhead at Kakiat Park in Montebello, NY and ends at Reeves Meadow Visitor Center in Southfields, NY. I mapped out the Tuxedo Park - Tom Jones Mountain - Lake Skenonto trail and planned to hike it counterclockwise. ©www.myharriman.com. Follow the Red Trail for the next 1.5 miles to the top of Parker Cabin Mountain, there are several rock scrambles and creeks along the way. That loop is about 5.9 miles, according to All Trails. There are approximately 500 trails and 200 miles of hiking to choose from in Harriman State Park; a park that expands through Rockland and Orange countries just 30 miles north of New York City. A New York - New Jersey Singles Hiking Club. Hiking in Harriman State Park: Elk Pen - Lemon Squeezer Circular. 8.2 miles. This is a point to point hike with the cars about a 20 minute drive from each other . Two-Day AT Training Hike in Harriman State Park. 10-mile loop, Harriman State Park (38 miles from NYC) . Hike the Seven Hills trail for plenty of views and fun scrambling in Harriman State Park. Hiking in Harriman State Park: Elk Pen 5 Mile Circular. This section hike is a strenuous one-way route (requiring a shuttle) that traverses the four peaks on the eastern half of the Devil's Path, climbing about 5,000 vertical feet. The small rock scramble up to Tom Jones Mountain was well worth the views of the Hudson Valley once up there. Elevation Gain: 500 feet Dog Friendly: Yes. Hiking info for Silvermine Lake and Stockbridge Mountain Loop, located in Harriman State Park, New York. Before the entrance to the cave-like formation, I was greeted by a day hiker asking if there was an easier way around the strange rock formation. "The stone cabin is placed on a broad, flat ledge on the eastern brink of the mountain, with a view of almost 180 degrees, northeast, east, southeast, south and . The park is located in Rockland and Orange counties just 30 miles from New York City. 1280+. Your day in nature begins at the south end of Harriman State Park. Menu January 27, 2016. Rocky, but relatively level. Harriman State Park #1 - Reeves Meadow Visitor Center; Sloatsburg, NY. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. Some of the climbs involve rock scrambles, and this is one of the most challenging hikes in Harriman State Park. Harriman State Park is the second-largest state park in New York with 200 miles of hiking trails, 3 beaches, 9 historic lean-tos, 2 group camping areas, and 32 lakes and reservoirs. 2.3 mph. Gorgeous streams, small waterfalls, rock scrambling, views- this trail has it all! This makes a perfect spot to relax and take in the views. Harriman State Park has 31 lakes and reservoirs, plus over 200 miles of hiking trails to explore. Scramble through the Lemon Squeezer - a narrow rock crevice on the Appalachian Trail - and hike past Island Pond, Boston Mine, Green Pond, and the Valley of Boulders. About 1 mile in, the foliage thins as the trail climbs and then crosses an exposed slab of rock. some parts are almost vertical). Challenging, scrambling. Continue on the wide path and cross the bridge. Harriman State Park is a good place to skinny dip and free hike. Devote at least a full weekend to explore Harriman State Park. Come in the . . This was going to be awesome. This part of the trail involves a steep rock scramble up a cliffside, and is not good for four-legged hikers. Distance: 3.8-mile loop. As trails in popular Cold Spring and Beacon closed temporarily from Covid-19, we discovered a new local gem: Harriman State Park. 360 Guiding provides fun, safe, and rewarding adventures for people of all abilities to experience and enjoy the outdoors. Share this: Twitter; Facebook; Like this: . Harriman State Park: Reeves Brook Loop Trail. Trail Map. But a short rock scramble is involved where you may need to give your buddy a leg up, or at the very least spot her/him. Bear Mountain State Park is situated in rugged mountains rising from the west bank of the Hudson River. Video: Harriman Hikers at Jackie Jones Fire Tower 11-8-2009. Posted on February 3, 2014 Categories Places Tags harriman state park, hiking, nyc, nyc snow, slush, snow, So S, winter Leave a comment on Snowy Walks Museums and Parks' Perspectives. I truly enjoyed being able to see all the hills in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Parks that I have hiked. The Suffern-Bear Mountain trail takes in Pyngyp as it approaches the northern part of the park, and Bear Mountain State Park. Longer: Huge network of trails = endless options. From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here. 6.2 miles. Harriman State Park. Often cited as the toughest hiking trail in the East, this 24-mile path through the Catskills features 18,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto N.Y. Route 17 north, and continue through the Village of Sloatsburg. Gorgeous streams, small waterfalls, rock scrambling, views- this trail has it all! If you crave scrambles and love hiking, this is a perfect hike for you! Total Time: 2:45 hour Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles Pros: Excellent scramble, great views, and quiet trail Cons: Parking far from mountain and walking along road Hike Type: In and out Level of Difficulty: Very difficult Map of Route: Shorter: 5.5 - Good bail-out option: don't cross the stream or head up Diamond Mountain, noted below. Length 2.7 miElevation gain 597 ftRoute type Out & back. Many suggest that this is one of the best hikes at Harriman State Park. Harriman State Park, located in Rockland and Orange counties, is the second-largest park in the parks system, with 31 lakes and reservoirs, 200 miles of hiking trails, two beaches, two public camping areas, a network of group camps, miles of streams and scenic roads, and scores of wildlife species . Pros: Views galore, light rock scrambling, varied terrain, well marked trails. Harriman State Park has a large trail system, allowing us to shorten or extend the planned route as we go. I'm excited to try a new trail! I was thinking, This is great! Also from this parking lot: Pine Meadows Loop; Seven Hills, HTS, Raccoon Brook, Pine Meadow; Seven Hills . The blue-blazed trail was short, only about ½ mile, and it descended from around 1,160′ to 800′ elevation, so only 17 minutes passed before I reached the end of it, where it dead-ended in the yellow-blazed loop. From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here. Video: Harriman Hikers Hike to the Egg 11-22-2009. The park features a large play field, shaded picnic groves, lake and river fishing access, a swimming pool, Trailside Museums and Zoo, hiking, biking and cross-country ski trails.An outdoor rink is open to ice skaters from late October through mid-March. From short hikes in Harriman State Park to insane scrambles in the Gunks, you can follow it all here. The Soltice Stones propped up on Pyramid Mountain. Rugged and rocky trail surface, but other than the Lemon Squeezer area, no real scrambling. Lean-tos of Harriman State Park — including beautiful Tom Jones shelter — are ideal refuges from New York City life, and for sleeping under the stars. Harriman State Park NY. Many suggest that this is one of the best hikes at Harriman State Park.. Apr 14, 2019 - The Reeves Brook trail starts at the Reeves Meadow trailhead parking area. Scott Stanford, supervising geologist for the New Jersey Geological Survey, says the rock is made of gneiss and so is the ledge it's sitting on. So it's probably no surprise that Harriman State Park is the second-largest state park in . It's a hiker's haven in our own backyard. Day Hikes throughout the New York Hudson Valley. Hiking in Harriman State Park: Elk Pen - Times Square Circular. Lake Wanosink and Pine Meadow Lake are especially suited to swimming in the nude since they are a fair hike from any parking lots. " The hike: - The rock scramble really is not as dangerous as its name or some people might have you believe. Hiking in Harriman. by Juan Melli May 16, 2020. Harriman's Blue Disc Trail is our kind of day hike: short(ish), well-marked, and . Harriman State Park, Rockland County, New York. The Lemon Squeezer is a unique rock formation about 2 miles from the Elk Pen Parking Lot in Harriman State Park that forces hikers to squeeze through a narrow rock crevice before scrambling up a . A lot of rock scrambling and beautiful vantage points (about 12 of them) along the way. Just past the village, turn right at the traffic light, following the sign for Harriman State Park. Four of us decided to pay the slab a . It is an outdoors paradise with so many options and things to do. rock scrambles and nice views, climbed the Pulpit and met the HTS. It is an outdoors paradise with so many options and things to do. Tips for Hiking with Your Dog. . Great views throughout.