Stahahe Brook Loop, Harriman State Park

Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Stahahe Brook Trail: Red blaze
Nurian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:40 hours
Estimated Distance: 3.33 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic brook, quiet lake
Pros: Good climb, nice area, hardly-used area of the park
Cons: Trailhead doesn't exist, beginning of hike is too loud from the highway

Hiking Partner:
Rachel Friedman

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

I was in this general area the last two hikes and wanted to complete all the trails in the area. This was the last significant foliage hike, and most trees had already lost their leaves. We started in the Elk Pen, took the Appalachian Trail for a short distance to the Arden-Surebridge Trail, along the side of the Elk Pen field, and then took the Stahahe Brook Trail. Much of the Stahahe Brook Trail has been rerouted along the eastern side of the brook valley due to a collapsed bridge along the brook. We took the new trail route until the trail terminus at the Nurian Trail. We then took the Nurian Trail for a little bit towards Lake Stahahe, and then cut off the trail to the woods right and down towards Lake Stahahe. We then turned around, back on the Nurian Trail, and took the old Stahahe Brook Trail back down along the western flank of the brook. The brook was easy to cross despite the bridge being out, especially with the dryness of the season. We then continued from here back the same way down to the car.

Map of the Route.
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails Northern Map

Appalachian Trail at the Elk Pen

Looking at the Mountains Behind the Elk Pen

Last Remaining Foliage Near the Elk Pen

Arden-Surebridge Termination at the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail Going Thru the Elk Pen,
with the Parking Area in the Distance

Hiking Along the Arden-Surebridge Tral

View Across the Meadow on the Arden-Surebridge Trail

Amazing Foliage Colors

View of the Meadow from the Stahahe Brook Trail

Nice Trees on the Stahahe Brook Trail

Foliage at Lake Stahahe

Lake Stahahe Outlet

Foliage Looking at Mountain Behind Lake Stahahe