Parker Cabin Mnt-White Cross Loop

Harriman State Park,
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
Ramapo Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
White Cross Trail: White blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.87 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult, although more difficult in the snow
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Very Scenic Area, Excellent Views

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy and Morty Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

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This was a cold winter day, and the temperature was in the teens. The ground was covered with snow, and all the streams were frozen. We had attempted to hike on a frozen lake, but they were still not posted as safe despite the weather being frigid all week. We parked on County Rt. 106 after Tom Jones Mountain where the road bends. This is where the Victory Trail starts.

We took the Victory Trail for a short distance, as it passes through a beautiful Mountain Laurel Grove, to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. We then took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail up Parker Cabin, as it gradually descends up this scenic and rocky area. The summit of Parker Cabin Mountain affords two great views, one looking east and then a few hundred feet down facing south. We then climbed steeply down the mountain, and took the White Cross Trail alongside the swamp to the White Bar Trail. We then went along the White Bar Trail to the Triangle Trail, then back to the summit of Parker Cabin Mountain, and then retraced our steps back along the Ramapo-Dunderberg and Victory Trails.

Map of the Route

Mountain Laurel Forest on the Victory Trail

Morty on a Rock at the Intersection of the
Ramapo-Dunderberg and Victory Trail

Frozen Stream at the Intersection of the
Ramapo-Dunderberg and Victory Trail

Ascending Parker Cabin Mountain on the R-D Trail.
Looking Northeast to Tom Jones Mountain

View Atop Parker Cabin Mountain
Looking Southeast towards Lake Sebago

View Atop Parker Cabin Mountain
Looking East.

The Southern Edge of Parker Cabin Mountain.
Looking South.

The Southern Edge of Parker Cabin Mountain.
Looking South  Above the Cliff.

Morty Atop a Rock At The Southern Edge of Parker Cabin Mountain.

Me on  the Rock

Ditto.

Swamp Below Parker Cabin Mountain,
on the side of the White Cross Trail

On Our Return Back to the Parker Cabin Mnt Summit,
There was a Very Large Group of Hikers.

Reeves Brook to North Hill LoopHarriman State Park

Rockland County,
New York
Hiking Trails:
Reeves Brook Trail: White blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue blaze
Racoon Brook Hills Trail: Black blaze
Hillburn-Torne Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
Pine Meadown Trail: Red blaze
Pine Meadow Connector Trail: Unblazed
Stony Brook Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.85 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult, especially in the snow
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points Of Interest: Several good views, serene area, good workout

Hiking Partner:
Debbie Koegel

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

It had snowed again the previous week, and this was a great snow hike. The weather had warmed up to the 40's, but there was a high wind advisory. We parked at the Reeves Meadow area on 7 Lakes Drive, and immediately turned up to the Reeves Brook Trail. We took the trail to the intersection of the Seven Hills Trail, which we took south to the Torne View. This is excellent view, however we couldn't stay here too long because the howling winds were chilling our bones at this very exposed area.

From the Torne View we took the Raccoon Brook Hills Trail, at its eastern terminus, and then took the trail up to the Pulpit view. From there we took the HTS Trail north, and then descended the mountain by the Pine Meadow Brook. From there we took the Pine Meadow Trail to the unmarked Pine Meadow Trail Connector down to the Stony Brook Trail, then back to the Pine Meadow Trail and back to the car.

Map of the Route

Approaching the Torne View

Torne View. Facing Northwest.

 

Me at the Torne View

Climbing up past the Torne View

Me at the top of TorneView

View at the Pulpit

View at North Hill Summit.
Looking Northeast to Halfway and Diamond Mountain.

Black Ash Mine and Swamp to Claudius Smith Den

Harriman State Park,
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Victory Trail: Blue blaze
White Cross Trail: White blaze
Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 5.33 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult, especially in the snow and mud
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Good views, old mine, waterfall in wet season, very tranquil

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

Much of the snow on the ground had already melted, and it was a relatively warm day for winter. Some parts of this hike had no snow at all, while some parts in the valleys still had full snow. The conditions for hiking were not good at all. There was a thick fog the entire time, and it was very muddy and wet. I had not brought my ski pants, and ended up coming home muddy and wet.

I parked at the parking area right under the Thruway in Tuxedo, near the Ramapo-Dunderberg trailhead. I went up the Ramapo-Dunderberg, and was surprised how poor the visibility was when the view was entirely obscured by the fog. I continued along past the Black Ash Mine, observing both the upper and lower pits and dumps. From there I continued to the outlet of the Black Ash Swamp, which is very interesting. There is a natural rock dam formation which drains the swamp in a most fascinating way, with a small hidden waterfall inside the rock. About 100 feet downstream from the outlet are also a series of beautiful waterfall cascades in the wet season. Being that everything was wet from all the melting snow, this afforded great waterfall viewing.

From the swamp outlet I took the Victory Trail, which is a wide and muddy trail which is mostly uninteresting, and the tire marks throughout took away from its serenity. All along this trail there are downed tress from Hurricane Sandy. I then took the White Cross trail south back towards the Claudius Smith Den. This trail is very remote and serene, and even a bit overgrown. It is rare to meet anyone else on this trail. From the Claudius Smith Den I took the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail back towards Tuxedo, and then back to the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Dense Fog. At the beginning of the Hike right before the
Trail goes off the  road into the Mountain.

The View of Tuxedo.
Nothing to see Today.

The smaller pit of the Black Ash Mine

Larger Pit of the Black Ash Mine

Waterfalls near the outlet of the Black Ash Swamp.

A fuller view of the Waterfall Cascades

Another Waterfall about 30 feet Above the First One

Outlet of the Black Ash Swamp

Extensive Fallen Trees From Hurricane Sandy
Along the Victory Trail

Rhododendrons in the Snow and Fog on the
White Cross Trail

Rock Formation in the Claudius Smith Den

Diamond Tower Mountain Trail,Harriman State Park,

Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail: Red blaze
Hillburn-Torne-Sebago (HTS) Trail: Orange blaze
Diamond Mountain Tower Trail: Yellow blaze
Seven Hills Trail: Blue blaze

Hiking Partner:
Debbie Koegel

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.0 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult, especially difficult in the snow
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended - this is a great hike with a tough climb, good views, and lakes.
Points Of Interest: Strenuous climb up Diamond Mountain, Excellent Views, Lake Sebago shoreline

Google Map of Parking:

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This was an absolutely stunning hike in the snow. We parked at the parking area and boat launch by Lake Sebago off Seven Lakes Drive, and walked along the scenic, unmarked path along the eastern shore of Lake Welch. We took this all the way near the southern end of the lake, at the dam, where we crossed the road and header for a very short distance on the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail. We went off on the HTS Trail, which steeply climbs Diamond Mountain. At the top of the mountain we went off to the Diamond Tower Mountain Trail, which descends the mountain on the other side towards Pine Meadow Lake and then ascends back up the mountain again, forming a U shape. Right before the descent is a fabulous view east of Pine Meadow Lake.

After coming back up the mountain, we reached the other end of the Diamond Mountain Tower Trail, taking  this trail in its entirety. We then took the Seven Hills Trail, went over the edge of Conklin Mountain, and then descended back down to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Frozen Lake Sebago. Facing southeast.

Whitetail Deer in the Snow,
Ascending  Diamond  Mountain

 

View from top of Diamond Mountain at HTS/7 Hills Jct.
Facing northwest.

View of Pine Meadow Lake from the great view
atop the Diamond Mountain Tower Trail.
Facing East.

Me at the Above View.

End of the Diamond Tower Mountain Trail.

 

Viewpoint at Diamond Mountain on 7 Hills Trail.
Facing North.

Another view at the Above Viewpoint.
Facing Northwest Down Toward Lake Sebago

Anthony Wayne-Queensboro Lake Loop

Harriman State Park,
Orange County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Anthony-Wayne Trail: White blaze
1779 Trail: Blue blaze
Timp-Torne Trail: Blue blaze
Fawn Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 4 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate, but more difficult because of snow
Level of Recommendation: Not recommended, although end is very scenic.
Points Of Interest: Queensboro Lake, last small ascent up West Mountain

Google Map of Parking:

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I was off for New Years, and had some time at the end of the day to take a nice hike in the snow. While not particularly scenic or difficult, this hike was both very pretty and strenuous due to the snow along the route. One of the biggest problems with this hike is that its entire route crisscrosses busy roads and highways, so the tranquil element is kind of missing. However, the pristine snow conditions made up for this.

I parked at the northernmost part of the Anthony Wayne Parking area, and took the Anthony Wayne Trail, crossing the Palisades Parkway and then parallel to the highway, until the 1779 Trail. I took the 1779 Trail to the traffic circle and then alongside towards Queensboro Lake. From there the trail joins with the Popolopen Gorge, and zigzags along the northern part of Queensboro Lake. I then took the Timp-Torne Trail, crossed over the Palisades Parkway again, and then climbed up a small portion of the Timp Torne Trail. This part of the trail is the most scenic, climbing the foot of West Mountain on a narrow ridge with beautiful views of Bear Mountain and beyond. At the intersection of the Fawn Trail I headed back down to the Anthony Wayne Trail and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Crossing over the Palisades Parkway on the Anthony Wayne Trail.
West Mountain is on the Left.

Hiking along the Snowy Anthony Wayne Trail.
I was the first person to hike here since the snow,
and made the first tracks.

Popolopen Torne in the Background on the Anthony Wayne Trail

Queesnsboro Lake, Facing Southwest from the North Part.
It is about an  hour to Sunset.

Partially Frozen Queensboro Lake.
Facing East.

Another View of Queensboro Lake, facing Southeast.
The Hill in the Distance is the Northern Ridge of West Mountain,
Which is the Part of the Mountain I would Climb
at the End of this Hike.

Lone Pine Tree on the Time Torne Trail before Descending.

View Along the Timp-Torne Trail while Ascending West Mountain.

A view of a Snowy Bear Mountain above the Trees
while Ascending West Mountain.