Lemon Squeezer and Island Pond Spring Hike

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Island Pond Road: Unblazed
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:30
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Interesting rock formation, nice view, nice lake
Cons: Overgrown path on Island Pond Road
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZNsASx7U57oRQqVh8

I was in Monroe NY for a mineral show earlier in the day, and this was a good hike to do on my way home. I parked on Island Pond Road near the Crooked Road path, and took the Crooked Road south to the Appalachian Trail. (The Crooked Road Trail was somewhat overgrown with lots of brush, and I found a tick on me when I checked myself after the hike.)

I took the Appalachian Trail to the Lemon Squeezer, and then continued up the mountain and took a short bushwhack to the Island Pond View (not on the map.) I then turned around and went back through the Lemon Squeezer, and then instead of going back the same route, first took a detour to the shore of Island Pond. I then turned around and went back on Crooked Road back to the car.

Map of the Route

Island Pond 

Sign About Hunting in Harriman

Entrance to the Lemon Squeezer

Lemon Squeezer

Lemon Squeezer Area Rock Formations

Island Pond Mountain

Island Pond Mountain View

Descending the Lemon Squeezer on the Bypass Trail

Approaching Island Pond

Island Pond Shore

Wyanokie High Point Spring Hike

Norvin Green State Forest
Passaic Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Otter Hole Trail: Green blaze
Macopin Trail: (Formerly) White blaze
Hewitt-Butler Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00 Hours
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles

Pros: Excellent views and good climb
Cons: Confusing Trail rerouting
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HLpFnVoYFZBdf4sd6

Wyanokie High Point is one of my favorite hikes in the area. It features a good climb with a great 360 degree view. However, there was a lot of trail rerouting going on which left me confused. I parked at the Weis Center, and noticed the Otter Hole Trail was rerouted out of the Weis Center area to the road. I continued on the Otter Hole Trail, to the Macopin Trail. This trail used to have a white blaze but it was missing the blazes perhaps for a future new color to route it as a loop trail.

I continued to the end of the trail at the ridge on Wyanokie High Point, and then took the Hewitt-Butler Trail up and then climbed the rocky portion to the summit of Wyanokie High Point, which offered a sweeping view on this beautiful day. I then turned around and took the Hewitt-Butler Trail down the mountain to the Otter Hole Trail which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trail Information

Macopin Trail Marker Blocked Out

Flowering Mountain Laurels

End of the Macopin Trail

Glacial Rock on the Wyanokie Ridge

View on the Wyanokie Ridge

Ascending to the Top of Wyanokie High Point

Wyanokie High Point View

Wanaque Reservoir and Manhattan Skyline in the Distance

View at the West Side of Wyanokie High Point

Bridge Across the View

Hi Point Labelled Rock

Map of the Ongoing Reroute