Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Pine Meadow Lake / Diamond Mountain

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Pine Meadow Lake / Diamond Mountain

Harriman State Park,
Rockland County,
New York

Total Time: 2:30 hr
Estimated Distance: 4.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult
Level of Interest: Recommended.
Points Of Interest: Scenic path along brook, Pine Meadow Lake, Good views.

Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Diamond Tower Trail: Yellow blaze
7 Hills Trail: Black blaze

Google Maps of Parking:

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I have been up the heavily used Pine Meadow Trail many times, but rarely make it all the way to Pine Meadow Lake. I parked in the Reeves Meadow area parking area, and went up the Pine Meadow Trail, to the Kakiat Trail, continuing back on the Pine Meadow Trail. I passed the formation at Gah-Nus-Quah Rock, where the brook flows through a tight rock formation, and then continued to the western shore of Pine Meadow Lake.

Took a break at Pine Meadow Lake, which was busy with hikers that went in for a dip here. There are "No Swimming" signs posted, but it seems almost every time I come here there are people swimming in the lake. From there turned around and went up the southern spur of the Diamond Tower Mountain trail, to the top of Diamond Mountain. There is a great view of Pine Meadow Lake on the way. At the top at the intersection headed down the 7 Hills Trail, also with great views on the way down (these views are not shown on the maps). Once I got to the bottom of the valley continued along the Pine Meadow Trail all the way back to the trailhead.

I didn't have my good camera with me so the photos below are a lesser quality from my cell phone.