Rare Autumn Snow Hike

Pine Meadow and HTS Trails,
Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Trails:
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Stony Brook Trail: Yellow blaze
Hillburn-Torne-Sebago Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hr
Estimated Distance: 3.4 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Very Difficult due to climbing in snowy conditions
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Beauriful river path, amazing views

Hiking Partners:
S&M Rosenberg

Google Maps of Parking:

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This hike was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It combined fall foliage togethor with a over a foot of snow. We had gotten a freak snowstorm in the end of October, the biggest ever by far on record (snow does not happen at all this time of the year!), and the trees still all had their leaves on them. Aside from the trees fallen and losing power for almost a week, the setting of the white snow with the fall foliage was absolutely incredible.

This was the backdrop of our hike. We parked at the Reeve's Meadow trailhead off 7 Lakes Drive near Sloatsburg. We actually got a spot in a parking lot despite this being a Sunday. I guess the snow scared people off. This parking lot is always full with cars parked lining all the way up and down 7 Lakes Drive on a typical Sunday. The weather was also extremely cold for October and we had to bundle well. I was not used to this as I still hadn't put on any coat yet for the season.

We went along the Pine Meadow Trail, to the Stony Brook Trail, and then where it crosses the Pine Meadow Brook we took the unmarked spur trail back to the Pine Meadow Trail. From there we continued till the HTS Trail, which we turned right on to climb up the mountain. The view here is really good, and the panorama of snow and bright fall colors for miles and miles was amazing! And on top of the mountain there was a remarkable two feet of snow! We turned around from there and went back down the HTS back to the Pine Meadow Trail all the way back to our car. This hike was definitley my most memorable hike this past year.

Hiking Map of the Route

Seven Lakes Drive Approaching Reeves Meadow Trailhead

Me and the Rosenberg brothers at the Trailhead

Me navigating through downed trees

The colorful trees and the snow. On the Pine Meadow Trail.

A bright blue sky adds to the color.

At the Gas Line crossing on the Stony Brook Trail

More amazing colors, on the Stony Brook Trail.

Ascending near the Pine Meadow Trail opposite Cascase of Slid.

Ascending near the mountain on the HTS Trail.
 Note the wet snow covering everything.

View from the summit viewpoint. Facing northwest.

Another view from the summit. Facing southwest.

Shimmy at the summit. Facing north.

Me at the summit.

Relaxing in 2 feet of snow.

Summit view - facing northwest.

Trees along the Pine Meadow Trail

At the descent at the Gas pipeline on the Pine Meadow Trail