Rockland Lake Biking

Rockland Lake State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Total Time: 0:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.2 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for an easy scenic bike ride
Points of Interest: Pretty Lake
Pros: Scenic and enjoyable bike path
Cons: Lots of people, cost money to park

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my first outdoor excursion since my surgery, and while hiking was still off-limits, simple biking was permitted since its not weight-bearing. So I took out my bike, brushed off the test, inflated the tires, and adjusted the brakes for some biking. I figured Rockland Lake is short enough as well as totally flat to try my first real outdoor activity.

The path surrounds Rockland Lake, and the loop is about 3 miles. Except for part of the northern part of the trail, the entire rest of the trail follows the shoreline of the lake.

Pictures were taken with my cell phone camera.

Map of the Route

1779 Trailhead to Burnt House

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
1779 Trail: White blaze
Red Cross Trail: Red low blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.7 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not recommended
Points of Interest: Burnt House, Swamp
Pros: Very quiet and remote area of park
Cons: No views or interesting sites to see, parking far from trailhead

Hiking Partner:
Dr. Morris Schulgasser

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This was my most challenging hike yet since my injury. It was a little shy of five miles with about a 500 foot elevation gain. Although the climb was good, it was gradual and manageable on a wide trail, which worked to my advantage using my dual sticks. The way up was actually fine; it was down that was a bit challenging for me.

We parked in the parking area off Mott Farm Road by the brook, and walked up the hill on Queensboro Road, which is a dead end and ends by the trailhead. (The park system should really have a small parking lot here at the trailhead instead of requiring you to walk the length of the road.) We took the 1779 Trail from its terminus to the intersection of the Red Cross Trail, and then took the Red Cross Trail across the Palisades Parkway down to the swamp by the Stillwater Brook. We continued to the Burnt House site where took a break and turned around. The Burnt House is no longer there, and there is just a hole with rocks where the site once stood.

Map of the Route
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails Northern Map

Nice Rock Formation on the 1779 Trail

Me at the 3-Trail Conflunce
(Suffern-Bear Mnt, 1779, and Rec Cross

Tree with all 3 Trail Markes

Red Cross Trail Crossing Over the Palisades Pkwy

Swamp Feeding Stillwater Brook

The Foundation of the Burnt House

Large Toad on the Trail on the Way Back

Pine Meadow Brook Loop, Harriman State Park

Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pine Meadow Brook Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Yellow blaze
Connector Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for short hike along brook
Points of Interest: Pine Meadow Brook
Pros: Brook scenery
Cons: Very busy area with lots of people; busiest trail in Harriman

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

This is a part of the park I had done many times. It was short enough to preserve my knee, but long and scenic enough to make me feel like I did a real hike despite my knee problem. Since I was alone this was a good trail choice, being the busiest area in Harriman. I parked at the Reeve's Meadow Parking area off 7 Lakes Drive, and took the Pine Meadow Trail to the Stony Brook Trail along the brook. At the bridge crossing I took the unofficial connector trail that goes up to the Pine Meadow Trail. I noticed that this trail was recently refurbished and actually met a trail conference volunteer putting new steps on this unofficial trail. I found that interesting being that this trail isn't even officially marked or on my maps. At the Pine Meadow Trail I went back and took this way back to the car.

Map of the Route. Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails, Southern Map

Pine Meadow Trail Crossing the Reeve's Brook Inlet

Pine Meadow Trail Along the Brook

Gas Line Crossing

Natural Spring.
There are Several of These Along the Hike

Trail Volunteer Fixing Up the Unmarked Connector Trail