Pine Swamp Brook and Mountain Snow

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Path Green blaze

Total Time: 0:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended
Points of Interest: Lake and views
Pros: Overall very scenic area
Cons: Off-trail hike may be hard to follow unless you are familiar with area

This is a great hike, and very similar but backwards to what I did back in November. The previous day it had rained a cold rain with temperatures in the upper 30's. I noticed there were even some wet snowflakes mixed in. I had make an assumption that there would likely be an accumulating snow in the higher terrain, and decided to go the morning after on a short hike in the mountains and take a look. Sure enough, everything was covered with a fresh layer of about 3 inches of wet snow. Everything was melting fast due to the warming temperatures and bright sky. I am glad I got out when I did to experience one more hike in the snow.

I parked at the parking area by Lake Skanatati off Seven Lakes Drive. I walked along the Long Path which goes on the northern side of the lake, until the stream inlet of the Pine Swamp Brook. I wanted to check out what the rangers did here. When I was here back in November, they were hoisting some rocks in the stream to make a better crossing.

I then climbed up Pine Swamp Mountain on a deer path which goes along the ridge of the mountain. I then cut across to the western part of the mountain, where the old A-SB Trail used to go prior to its rerouting, and then took the former trail to the Pine Swamp Mountain view. I know I have stated this many times before, but I'll say it again. I don't know why the trail conference would decide to reroute the trail away from this great and easy view. I don't understand the logic behind it and it's a real loss. The bottom line is that the view will never go away so even if there is no trail those people who always visited this view will still keep coming to visit it. Anyways, I climbed down after the view on the former A-SB Trail back down the mountain.

Map of the Route
Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails

Lake Skanatati with the Snow, Retreating Ice, and Blue Skies

Shoreline of Lake Skanatati

Along the Long Path

Rock Jutting into Lake Skanatati

Lake Skanatati from the Long Path

Small Cascade on Pine Swamp Brook at its Crossing by the Long Path

Hemlock Trees at the Pine Swamp Brook

Pretty Snow Scenery with Evergreens Above Pine Swamp Mountain

Small Evergreen Covered with Heavy Wet Snow

A Couple at the Pine Swamp View

Another Perspective of the Above Picture

Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanawauke from Pine Swamp Mountain