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:
View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map
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. |
Hello,
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been quite informative as I prepare to shoot some footage in Harriman this winter. I've spent some time there in the summer months, but am unfamiliar with the winter conditions. I'm wondering, are there hotlines or websites where I might learn when the lakes are frozen and safe to walk on? Also, how are the roads this time of year.
If you can provide some insights, I'd be very appreciative. Thanks.
Feel free to email me at oogden@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Winter is a great time in Harriman, and hiking in the snow is a great experience. The park rangers post signs at each lake in the park when the conditions are safe for walking on them. They post green signs by the parking area, which indicates an ice pack of at least 6 inches thick. In my experience this really only happens when there is at least 10 days of freezing or close to freezing temperatures for a daily high. With last weeks thaw and this weeks relatively warmer temperatures, it will probably be at least another week until they are safe again. I would love if there was a website posted by the rangers stating which lakes are safe in the winter - but I haven't found such a site yet.
Roads are find in the winter. The only time they are challenging is right after a snowstorm - otherwise they are cleared pretty quickly. Some roads such as Arden Valley Rd and Lake Welch parkway are closed in winter.
- Heshy
Thanks for this post!
ReplyDelete