Harriman State Park
Rockland Co.,
New York
Trails:
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Conklins Crossing Trail: --- blaze
Pine Meadow Trail: Red blaze
Total Time: 2:50 hr
Estimated Distance: 6 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Upper Cobus Mountain Views, Pine Meadow Lake
Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg
Google Maps of Parking:
Start:
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Finish:
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This is the first time I am using GPS essentials on my Android phone, and I am using this to track my route and generate maps for me following my exact route.
This was a two car hike. We left one car at the Ramapo Equestrian Center, which is also the trailhead for the Pine Meadow Trail, and then took the other car to Kakiat. This was the first seasonal weather hike, and we required our winter coats for this long and strenuous hike. After parking at Kakiat, we took the Kakiat Trail up the mountain, past the power line, and then at the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail went north and continued along the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail to the Conklin's Crossing Trail. Took the Conklin's Crossing to the eastern terminus of Pine Meadow Lake, which was especially quiet and serene this time of year. Pine Meadow Lake has no nearby road access, so all its visitors are hikers. The eastern end is especially quiet.
From there we took the Pine Meadow Trail north, thru the forest and swamp, through its brief connection with the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail, and then down the mountain on the Pine Meadow. I usually take a shortcut where the trail bends out of the way, and judging by the cairns and chainsawed fallen trees, it appears the trailblazers are preparing to reroute the trail to my shorter route. I think this route was the original Pine Meadow Trail route. From there took the trail under the power lines and then along the gas route, and then back to the car.
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| Map of the Route. Generated from GPS Essentials following our GPS track. |
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| Lower Cobus Mountain from the Kakiat Trail by Power Lines |
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| View from Cobus Mountain, facing south. On S-BM Trail. |
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| Shimmy descending rocky notch on S-BM Trail. Note the patchy snow which is on the shady side of the mountain. |
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| View from Upper Cobus Mountain, on S-BM Trail. Facing east. |
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| View from Upper Cobus Mountain, on S-BM Trail. Facing northeast, with the Tilcon Haverstraw Quarry in the distance. |
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| Pine Meadow Lake, eastern shore. |
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| Me at Pine Meadow Lake. |
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| Shimmy near the end of the Pine Meadow Trail, near the Power Lines. Note the new cairns. |
Yesterday I did a loop from Kakiat Park up to Pine Meadow Lake via the Kakiat / SBM / CC route. Had lunch, then looped around the lake and came back via the Poached Egg / Raccoon Brook / Kakiat route. No country for old men like me. Many rocks, much up and down scrambling, relatively steep climbs, minimal blazing, got thrown off the trail multiple times. Several coiled snakes sleeping between the rocks, managed a last-second jump to avoid stepping on one. Had a minor (hopefully) foot injury by the time I got back to the car. Forgot to bring a water bottle, thought it would be cloudy and cool, but sun stayed out all day and temps rose, was approaching mild dehydration by late afternoon. Cell phone didn't work up on the mountain.
ReplyDeleteNot exactly 127 Hours, but still a day to remember! Despite the challenges, some great views, once past the occasional gas line and power line. Next time I'm going to take this part of the Park very seriously!