Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: October 2019

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Lake Skanatati Pine Swamp Mnt Fall Hike

Harriman State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Arden-Surebridge Trail: Red blaze
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.9 Miles

Pros: Short, sweet loop hike with good views and scenic lake
Cons: None

Hiking Partners:
Joseph Friedman
Elisha Friedman

I was short on time, but wanted to get out and enjoy the fall foliage. We parked at the Lake Skanatati trailhead, and took the A-SB Trail up and veered off to the old route up to the top of the mountain and the view. We then bushwacked down to the Long Path, and went alongside Lake Skanatati and then back to our car.

Map of the Route

Lake Skanatati from the Parking Area

Waterfowl at Lake Skanatati

Lake Skanatati Fall Foliage

Lake Skanatati and Lake Kanawauke from Pine Swamp Mountain

Pine Swamp Mountain View

Scenic Fall Foliage Scene

Lake Skanatati Dam

Me at the Pine Swamp Mountain View

Above View, Zoomed Out

Me at Lake Skanatati

Tranquil Lake Skanatati Scene

Fall Colors at Lake Skanatati

Me at Lake Skanatati

And One More View of Lake Skanatai

Sunday, October 13, 2019

Kakiat Lower Loop Fall Hike

Kakiat County Park
Rockland Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mountain Trail: Orange blaze
Kakiat Trail: White blaze
Old Mill Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:50 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.5 miles

Pros: Short scenic climb with rewarding views
Cons: None

I was going out of town for several days, and prior to leaving went on a very short fall foliage hike at Kakiat prior to leaving later in the morning. I parked at the main parking area, crossed the bridge at the Mahwah River, and took the Mountain Trail up the mountain, and veered off at the shortcut up the rocky crag to the lower Kakiat view. I then proceeded north off the trail, along a very well-traversed bushwack route that I frequently take, to the Kakiat Trail where it crosses the brook after the Pipeline. I took the Kakiat Trail down the mountain, then continued on it along the foot. I then took the short connector to the Old Mill Trail, which I took for a very short distance to the trails end and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Mahwah River at the Entrance of Kakiat

Beginning of the Mountain Trail

Rocky Promenade at the Kakiat Lower Lookout

View Facing Southeast from the Kakiat Lower Lookout with NYC Skyline

View Facing East from the Kakiat Lower Lookout

Early Morning Sun

View from Kakiat Lower Viewpoint Facing South

Me at the Kakiat Lower Summit

Kakiat Trail at the Foot of the Mountain

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Bear Mountain Appalachian Trail New Section Completed

Bear Mountain State Park,
Rockland/Orange Cos.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.2 Miles

Pros: Excellent views and scenic trail
Cons: Very busy area on weekends

I was short on time, as rain was predicted later today. I wanted to do a short but scenic hike to enjoy the scenery, and wanted to check if the new portion of the Appalachian Trail connecting the end of Perkins Drive to the summit area.

I parked at the summit area near the tower on Perkins Memorial Drive, and took the Appalachian Trail north on the accessible trail, to the view on the north-facing area of Bear Mountain. The normally excellent view has poor visibility due to the fog.

I continued on the Appalachian Trail back south to the south-facing view of the mountain, and then continued down the trail to where it hits the old connector road. I took the old connector road to the Perkins Dead End, where the Appalachian Trail is reached again. At this point I noticed the new part of the Appalachian Trail that they were building for the past several years was finally completed and open. This part of the trail was very busy and full of people. But it was great seeing this new trail open for the first time. I took the new trail back to the top of the mountain and back to my car.