Goshen Mountain Loop

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:10
Estimated Distance: 4.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Not Recommended
Points Of Interest: Lake Tiorati, Appalachian Trail
Pros: Trails are quiet
Cons: No dramatic views

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2013 Hiking Locations in a larger map

A few weeks back on that abnormally frigid day in November with Shimmy we had meant to take this route as a continuation, but the cold weather was getting to us so we had to cut that hike short. This hike was the continuation and a little bit extra. The weather had been very strange. It had peaked on the hike to about 65 degrees, which allowed me to hike short-sleeve T-shirt. I don't ever previously recall hiking in short sleeves in late November. All the snow from the previous weeks snowstorms had virtually melted, which just few patches remaining.

We parked at the Tiorati Circle parking area, and walked along Lake Tiorati Road, which is closed in the winter. It was fascinating to view Lake Tiorati covered with ice but melting with  steam clouds forming from the melt and then blowing over to the side of the lake. We veered off the road at the bend, taking the unmarked former route of the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail towards the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. We then headed north on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail up Goshen Mountain, and then back down to the six-way intersection of the Ramapo-Dunderberg, Appalachian, and unmarked Bockey Swamp Trail. We took the Appalachian Trail west and crossed over Seven Lakes Drive, crossing the brook and climbing up Fingerboard Mountain. When we reached the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, instead of climing up the hill, we veered directly south along the side of the ridge towards the Tiorati Traffic Circle and back to our car.

Map of the Route

Lake Tiorati Road, Closed for the Season

Steam Cloud Forming on the Shore of Lake Tiorati from Melting Ice

Lake Tiorati from the Northern Bank

Clouds Forming Over Lake Tiorati frrom Melting Ice,
These Fog Clouds Blew into us Several Hundred Feet Away from the Lake

Very Large Bees or Hornets Nest that has been Discontinued

Ramapo-Dunderberg Along the Goshen Mountain Ridge

Me at the Top of Goshen Mountain

Interesting Colors at the Top of Goshen Mountain

Very Unique Photo Perspective Atop Goshen Mountain.
It's Hard to See Which are the Clouds and which are the Mountains

Another View from the Top of Goshen Mountain

Along the Appalachian Trail

Some Remaining Snow in the Evergreen Mountain
Laurels on the Appalachian Trail