Orange County,
New York
Hiking Trails:
Ski Lift Paths
Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.08 miles
Level of Difficulty: Slightly Difficult in over a foot of snow
Level of Recommendation: Recommended for a short hike, especially in the snow
Points Of Interest: Hike up old ski slope
Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg
Google Map of Parking:
View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map
The previous day there was a large snowstorm, and it snowed almost a foot and a half. We had wanted to hike across a frozen lake, but the rangers had not posted any of them as accessible yet, despite them being fully covered with snow. Many parking areas are inacessible after a large snowstorm, and only the larger parking areas get plowed. Since we were short on time, and with limited trailhead parking availability, we went to the Silvermine Lake ski area and hiked up the left ski trail to the top, looped around, and took the right slope back down. The area was very busy with scores of people sledding down the slopes.
I do recall there having been a no sledding sign previously, but its no longer there and the crowds are large. I don't know why they would have blocked sledding, considering its a safe and fun place to do it with such a large hill. Anyways, I am glad its opened to sledding again.
On a side note, I do with there was a way to know in advance if any of the lakes are fully frozen and posted as accessible to walk on. The ice has to be 6 inches thick for this, and the park rangers are supposed to post the sign in front of the lake. If anyone knows of any website that posts this information, please feel free to post it in the comments.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Lewis Brook at the Parking Area |
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| Lewis Brook Entering Silvermine Lake |
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| All the People Sledding on the Slopes |
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| Shimmy Climbing the Mountain |
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| View Near the Top, Facing North. |
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| Facing Down to the Parking Area Near the Top |
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| Me Near the Top |
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| Me at the Top in the Distance |
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| View From the Top. The Mountain on the right is Bear Mountain, and the left is Poplopen Torne |
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| Panoramic Shot at the Top. |
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| Old Ski Lift at the Top of the Right Ski Trail |
Thanks for this site. Do you know of a website that tells if there is sure if the ground at Harriman or other parks?
ReplyDeleteYou don't really need 6 inches if you have good ice. however it is tricky. this past Sunday I hiked efor half a mile along lake Champlain at point la rouche but had to turn back due to thin ice which was dangerous. Lake tiorati used to have a truck go on it to clear the snow and then the green flag was raised then the kids to use it for skating. Highly doubt this will still happen this winter as early snows form insulating layer etc better safe than sorry
ReplyDelete6 inches is a 'better safe than sorry' approach that the Park Service employs to ensure safety. Less than 6 inches will also suffice, but they want to be certain. The problem is that certain seasons as this one they never opened any of the lakes despite a healthy ice cover that could have been allowed. I have seen the Harriman park rangers measuring the ice thickness a lake once - they were measuring Lake Skanatati, I believe with an awl.
ReplyDelete