Bare Hills Serpentine Baltimore

Lake Roland Park
Baltimore Co.
Maryland

Hiking Trails:
Red Trail: Red blaze
Orange Trail: Orange blaze
Yellow Trail: Yellow blaze
Green Trail: Green blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic brook and interesting geology
Cons: Busy area on weekends
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nc9HrthmpsdceagS9

I was in Baltimore for the weekend visiting family, and being interested in geology I decided to go on a nearby hike to the Bare Hills Serpentine area at Lake Roland, which is unique area of sparse, unique vegetation and rocky terrain over a small area of serpentine barrens. I was here several years earlier but wanted to explore the area some more. 

The weather was very cold, and the trails were covered with ice, making the hike treacherous. The beginning and end that went along the old railroad bed where the trail was wide and flat was fine, but as soon as I got off that trail it got icy. I took the Red Trail along the old railroad bed, crossed the bridge over Jones Falls, and then took the Orange Trail along the serpentine ridge, all the way to the Falls Road.

I then turned around and took the Yellow Trail to the Green Trail, passing more of the treeless barrens along the way. I then continued along the Green Trail back to the Red Trail, which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Red Trail Along the Old Railroad Bed

Bridge Crossing Jones Falls

Jones Falls from the Bridge

Orange Trail Entering the Serpentine Barrens

Small Serpentine Mine Pit

Ice Covered Trail

Empty Serpentine Area Without Trees

Green & Yellow Trail Intersection

Jones Falls

Frozen Lake Kanawauke to Dam

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
None

Total Time: 1:40 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.0 Miles

Pros: Scenic lake rarely fully frozen
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Easy

Hiking Partner:
Yehuda Friedman

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/simaoGzumi88zaEV7

Lake Kanawauke rarely freezes over. There was a really deep cold snap the previous week that froze all the lakes in Harriman, and even Kanawauke was frozen over. This presented a great opportunity to walk on the frozen lake. We parked at the Kanawauke parking area, and climbed to the rock island at the picnic area, and then headed south. We crossed along the other islands in the lake, and then walked all the way down to the end of the lake. We passed by several camp docks and frozen swimming areas along the way.

We reached the dam at the southern end, and the crossed the bridge over the dam, and then walked along the bridge across the dam. We then walked back along the eastern flank of the lake, and then went back to the picnic area. We then crossed the road to the northern part of the lake, crossing to the other side of the lake, and then headed back to our car.

Map of the Route

Island Rock at Lake Kanawauke

Heading South on Lake Kanawauke

Skating Rink with Cleared Snow

Beaver Home on an Island

Ice Fisherman Tent

Chimney on an Island

Swimming Dock

Approaching the Dam

View from the Dam

Bridge on the Dam

Lifeguard Chair

Cattails

The side of the Lake Across the Road