Lime Kiln Mountain Melting Snow

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy (TMI) Trail: Red blaze
Red Arrow Trail: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Quiet region of Harriman
Cons: Lacks good views, power lines on top

The weather had been warming up since the intense cold snap, and it was actually raining earlier in the day and the previous day. It was still wet, damp, and cloudy, and all the snow on the ground had melted from the rain and warmth.

I parked at the trailhead parking for the TMI Trail, and took the trail up past the power lines, and then up the notch going up the mountain ridge. The path was very muddy and I had to precariously navigate over the many large puddles.

Where the TMI was rerouted on the south side of the mountain, I continued up the old trail base through the valley. This trail had been heavily eroded, and that's why they had rerouted this trail. At the intersection of the Red Arrow Trail, I took the Red Arrow Trail to the current TMI Trail, which I took back down the mountain and made way back to the trailhead parking.

Map of the Route

Power Lines at the Beginning of the Trail

Excessive Water Run-Off Along the Trail

Very Foggy Conditions

Green Mountain Laurel in an Otherwise Dreary Forest

More Mountain Laurel Greenery along the Red Arrow Trail

Intersection of the Red Arrow and TMI Trail

TMI Trail

View at the TMI Trail

Above View, Zoomed Out

Me at the Above View

Another Angle at the Above View

Group of Hikers Ascending the Trail

Ramapo Valley Reservation Waterfalls New Trail

Ramapo Valley County Reservation,
Bergen Co.,
New Jersey

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance:1.8 Miles

Hiking Trails: 
Vista Loop: Yellow Trail
Ridge Loop: Blue Trail

Pros: New Trail to waterfall
Cons: None

There had been strong rains which had melted all the snow. My office is nearby Ramapo Valley County Reservation, and I went on this hike from my office right after the rains ended. When the rain cleared out it became very sunny and temperature was in the 50's, a rare treat for the winter.

I parked at the main parking area, and took the Vista Loop past Scarlet Oak Park, to the Ridge Loop, up past the waterfall and alongside the stream, and then to the Vista Loop back along the other side of the brook. Due to the rains and melting snow, the waterfalls were very strong. I also noticed that the Vista Loop Trail was rerouted at this area closer to the waterfalls for better viewing. I took the new part of the trail, to the bridge over the brook, and then continued along the Vista Loop which I took back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Newly Rerouted Vista Loop as it Turns Towards the Waterfalls

Approaching the Waterfalls

Overflowing Waterfalls

Waterfalls and Trail Blazes

Descending the New Trail on the Steps

New Trail with Stone Steps

Bridge over the Brook

Lake Sebago Frozen Lake Loop

Harriman State Park,
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail: Red blaze
Triangle Trail: Yellow

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.6 Miles

Pros: Large and beautiful lake, easy conditions
Cons: None

There was a major warming trend, which brought the temperatures to the mid-50's, yet the lakes in Harriman were still frozen solid despite the weather. This provided an opportunity to hike on the frozen lakes in warm weather. Towards the end of the hike it got so warm that I took my coat off, and I met two guy on the lake without their shirts.

I parked at Sebago Boat Launch, and walked north to the end of the lake, and climbed up to the road leading south to the camp area. I was surprised to find all the cabins here unused and entirely abandoned. I then climbed down, with down to the southern end of the lake, and then took the Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail, to the Triangle Trail, past the Dutch Doctor Shelter, and then to the northern spur of the lake. I then headed back down through the notch and then back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Couple Walking Across the Lake

View Across the Lake

Me on Lake Sebago

Lake Sebago, Looking South

Lake Sebago, Looking Southwest

Lake Sebago, Looking South

Road Towards the Abandoned Camp

Abandoned Camps Across the Lake

Successful Fisherman

Me with a Fisherman

Freshly Caught Fish from Ice Fishing (Yellow Perch and Pickerel)

A Fresh Catch of Yellow Perch

Me Drilling a Hole in the Ice with an Auger

Me on a Snowy Dock

Me in front of a Camp Pool

Guy in a Bathing Suit Running Across the Frozen Lake

Bathing Suit Guy Doing a Headstand on the Lake

South End of the Lake

Me after I took Off my Coat

Hasidim on the Frozen Lake

Lake Skanatati Snow

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Total Time: 0:19 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.9 Miles

Pros: Scenic frozen lake
Cons: None

I had finished up my tasks on Friday earlier than expected. Considering it has been cold all week, I suspected that the lakes in Harriman were still frozen, and with the predicted warm weather over the weekend, I was afraid the lakes would no longer be frozen for my Sunday hike. I therefore decided to leave my office a bit early, for a very short Harriman hike. I was delighted to see the lakes frozen. and posted as safe by the rangers.

I parked at the Lake Skanatati parking area, and then walked accross the length of the lake. Upon reaching the far end, I took the Long Path back towards the parking area, and then for another short portion on the lake itself.

As this hike was spontaneous, I did not have my camera with me. These pictures were taken with my cell phone.

Map of the Route

Frozen Lake Skanatati

Interesting Cloud Cover 

Lake Skanatati, Facing South

Lake Skanatati Frozen and Pine Swamp Mountain

Looking Back at Parking Area

Southern Park of Lake Skanatati

Facing West on the Frozen Lake

At the End of the Lake

Long Path

Selfie on Lake Skanatati

Inlet of Lake Skanatati, Next to Parking Area

Ice Cover is Safe