Hike Recommendations

it almost sounds like the lake kanawauke area, there are some woods roads and unmarked trails going up from the north side of 106--maybe camp quid nunc?? your description could include many places...

Not sure what you mean by the "South Harriman Loop", but i wil say that in all the times i've hiked at harriman, the only time i thought it might have been better to have a rope was when i hiked the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail southbound, and had to descend the south side of Pingyp Mountain. Although i made it down with no problems, that was in the middle of summer, and things were very dry, but at this time of year, it is likely to be wet, maybe covered with leaves, so if this is part of your planned route, use caution.

Other than that, there are lots of spots that require some scrambling on hands and feet, but nothing i've encountered that i would consider "technical", unlless you decide to go off trail.

Can't help you with current conditions, as i haven't been to the park since early summer.

Have fun!

Ridgefield is near the palisades, check out the Hudson Palisades map set. You dont need a lot of equipment, just hike!

The answers to both of your questions are right at the top of theis page.

Click the "Trail Store" link to buy maps for the areas you wil be hiking.

Click the "Go Hiking" link to find a hike that suits your criteria.

Maybe try the North Jersey map set, and look for a hike in the Ramapo Reservation.

Have fun!

Lake Kanawauke (both sides of Rt 6) and Little Long Pond are the only ones connected and you can paddle between them through  culverts that pass under Rt 106.  A portage(a few hundred feet and up a short steep hill) from the north end of Kanawauke could get you to Lake Skannatati and then portage across 7 lakes drive to Lake Askoti.  All of these lakes allow boats so long as you have the appropriate permit sticker and approved floatation vest.  Not sure if there are regulations about putting your Kayak in from shore where there is no boat launch.

Sorry to say, but i don't think any are connected. You could however, bcome superwoman, and carry the kayak over your head from lake to lake.

The only thing certain about bears is that they are UNPREDICTABLE. Best to try and avoid any close contact.

What Patrick said is all true- here are my experiences/opinions:

1- I've run at South Mountain Reservation numerous times. Not sure what distance you are looking to cover, but i usually run from the Locust Grove Parking area on the Lenape Trail (yellow) to Hemlock Falls, then i run the Turtleback Trail (orange), then the Rahway Trail (white) back to the parking area. Most of the route is easily runnable, there are some sections i usually walk, and if the area is wet from recent rains, there will be lots of mud and slippery rocks. Plan on getting your feet wet. The whole route is about 8 miles, but you can skip the Turtleback loop and then the route is about 5 miles, although i must say that the Turtleback is one of my favorite trails to run on. The terrain at SMR is fairly rugged, with many rocky/rooty sections, and a couple of moderately steep ascents/descents. The initial climb on the Lenape Trail is probably the hardest- i usually walk it to let my legs warm up.

A bonus is that the parking area is only a short walk from the train station (about a block and a half), which isn't the case for many trails- some areas require a mile or more roadwalk before you hit the trails.

If you're going to South Mountain Res, i would recommend downloading and printing the trail map- it's free, just google "SMR trail map".

Patrick's suggestion of the Long Path in the Palisades is also a good one, but i would NOT recommend using the Shore Trail- many sections are strewn with debris/litter, and are dangerous to walk on, much less run. Instead, i suggest starting your run at the Lost Brook Preserve, there are several well-marked trails (you can get in a good 5 or 6 miles without repeating any sections) that i find very enjoyable to run. Then cross over 9W to the Long Path, and you can run the LP back to the GW Bridge (about another 5 miles), then run or walk over the bridge back to NYC.

There is a bus from Port Authority that will drop you off at the Lost Brook Preserve- Rockland Coach is the bus line, you need to make sure you ask for a ticket to Tenafly, and specify the bus that stops at Rt 9W and Clinton Ave. However, I would not recommend trying this run without the TC Palisades map set.

Patrick's other suggestions for Harriman and the East Hudson areas are also great, but be aware the terrain in Harriman is PUNISHING, and you should plan to spend at least 4 hours there, as buses and trains don't run hourly. The East Hudson Trails aren't quite as gnarly, but they are by no means easy IMO. I would not advise going to either of these areas for the first time without the TC trail maps.

The Rockefeller Preserve has miles of technically easy trails (with some nice hills mixed in), but some of the trails can be confusing to follow, even with the trail map (at least for me). Also, there is no direct bus/train to the Preserve. You will have to take the train to a nearby station, and run or walk to the Preserve. I usually go to the Phillipse Manor station, walk to the OCA, then run to the Preserve.

Any questions, feel free to ask- good luck, and have fun!

Colum, I am personally not familiar with South Mountain Reservation. However I would suggest to you trying the Long Path north along the Palisades. The trail can be accessed from the New Jersey side of the Geroge Washington Bridge and is quite runable. There is a parallel shore (white blaze)trail that runs along the Hudson river at the foot of these same palisades which can be used as a loop possibility. Other possibilities for you are via Bus to Bear Mt State park, bus to Harriman State Park (Rt17), Train to Harriman State Park via Port Jervis line on MetroNorth. Bear Mt/Harriman trails are extensive and quite challenging in both elevation and trail surface composition(rocks and roots). Metronorth Hudson line to Philipse Manor stop to access Rockefeller State Park preserve (miles an miles of well groomed carriage trails). Hudson Line to Garrison to access Hudson Highlands State park. Hudson line to Cold Spring to access Hudson Highlands/Bull Hill (Mt Taurus). The trails accessible from Garrison and Cold Spring are similar to that of Bear Mt/Harriman in terrain. If you need additional details on any of these, feel free to contact me.

The Buckabear Pond Trail is closed and unmaintained. One can walk out to the peninsula on the Clinton West/(white blazed) trail, and make a loop using that from the Red and back to the Red. There is no crossing of the beaver dam - any blazes have long been removed.   One must either continue north on the Clinton West Trail up to P4 parking, to reach the new route of the Highlands Trail. Unfortunately, with the loss of that crossing a hike on the HT has to be an in and out, or a shuttle hike with a car left at P9 on Paradise Rd.   And yes, hiking permits are definitely required, along with their regulations as to hunting seasons where there is only Sunday hiking allowed. 

has been forwarded to Daniel for his consideration. Thanks for the input!

And dont forget Canopus Lake!

One of my favorite scenic lakes is Lake Rutherford in High Point State Park (here's a photo from last autumn):

Very peaceful, cool rocks all around, views of High Point monument in the distance, and even some great waterfalls nearby if you feel like exploring.  Nearby Sawmill Lake is also nice (here's a photo of Sawmill Lake from the A.T.):

A nice 7-mile loop hike with great ridge and lake views is possible from Sawmill Lake to Lake Rutherford and back along the Blue Dot, Appalachian, and Iris trails (I haven't done this exact loop hike, but now I really want to!).

~Jeremy, TC cartographer

You could also go to the Ramapo Reservation in NJ  (North Jersey Trails map set), there are quite a few ponds/lakes accessible from the parking area on Rt 202.

I second Patrick's suggestion of Island Pond. If you take the woods road off the ASB trail (the one that goes north, past Garfield Mine), you will come to some ruins right on the edge of the pond. One of my favorite spots in the park!

There is also Curry Pond in the East Hudson- the map that has the Garrison trails will show you that one.

Have fun!

How about Island Pond to little green pond in Harriman? A big popular pond and a tiny remote pond. You can devise lots of loop possibilities from The Elk Pen parking area. Or 4 ponds/lakes from Sebago boat launch to Breakneck Pond to Lake Wanaksink to Pine Meadow Lake? That's where i am heading soon!

Camping is permitted only at designated camping areas which in Bear Mt State Park means you can only camp in or around the West Mt shelter which is a three sided stone structure with a partial wooden floor. It is a rather steep climb (at least 500 feet) regarless of which trail you use to get there. The majority of the trails at Bear Mt and Harriman are somewhat challenging to very challenging. The shortest route to West Mt shelter likely is by parking at Anthony Wayne and hiking the appalachian trail to the timp torne trail to the shelter. I would advise referencing the trail conference Harriman Park- Northern map #119.

Another good two-day hike in the Catskills is Hunter Mountain, starting from Spruceton Road.  You can make a loop via the Spruceton Trail, Hunter Mountain Trail and Devil's Path and stay at either the John Robb Lean-to or the Devil's Acre Lean-to.  If you want to make it into a three-day trip, you can stay one night at each.  There are excellent views from the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower as well as from a number of viewpoints along the trails.

You don't say if you need a loop or will be bringing multiple cars. Nor do you mention how many miles you are willing to hike in a day.  Here are a few ideas:

Start in Woodland Vallley. Hike over Wittenberg, Cornell and Slide Mtn. Great views there. Then there is a road walk of about a mile.  You can spend the night at Giant Ledge (be sure to use a legal campsite because I've seen the rangers up there checking in the evening), then hike back out to Woodland Valley the next morning.  Awesome views on Wittenberg, Cornell and Giant Ledge.  Slide has a great view from the spring on the eastern slope.I think this one is about 15-18 miles if I recall correctly.

For something shorter, starting at Prediger Road take the Devils Path to the Jimmy Dolans notch trail. Take it to its end on the Devils Path and go east over Indian Head. Then head up the Overlook Trail and depending on how ambitious you are, camp near the shelter, or go further on to Echo Lake.  Then the next morning double back on the Overlook to the Devils Path and take that back to your car.

If you have two cars, Pather Mountain and Giant Ledge is a nice end to end hike. Great views along the way and it's short enough for a very leisurly hike.

Another good end to end is taking the Peekamoose-Table Trail over Peekamoose and Table mountians. Camp along the Neversink, then you can take the unmarked but distinct trail along the Neversink to the Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide trail and out to Woodland Valley.  Or when leaving the Neversink catch the Phonecia East Branch and take it over the shoulder of Slide and out on Slide Mountain Rd (this offers fewer views on the 2nd day than going the Cornell Wittenberg route).

For views galore start at North/South Lake and take the Escarpment Trail south,then east and stay on it as it wraps north.  You can camp somewhere around Stoppel Point. Then return via the Marys Glen and Rock Shelter trails. This offers the most views, but also the most crowds, at least until you get beyond North Point.

Hard to beat the Catskills in the Tri State area.  If you want to avoid people try the trails that don't have the awesome viewpoints.  If you insist on visiting the great views you will encounter a lot of people (esp. on Slide Mtn and around North/South Lake), unless you go midweek.  I've found the Catskills to be overall less crowded than much of the Adirondacks, though once you get away from the High Peaks and head west the crowds thin out, but so does the scenery somewhat.

I'm looking for the same thing.  I would like to do an overnight hike, pitch a tent and set up camp for the night.  I understand it's legal under 3500 feet and 150 feet off the trail, but the environment isn't always accommodating and there's nothing worse than being tired at the end of the day and the sun goes down without a campsite set up...  Let me know if you find anything out!!!

Do you plan on camping in one spot and then hike around returning to your camp?Or are looking for a multi day backpack trip.

 I do think you would like the southern Catskill's.

Andy Garrison - srtmaintainer@gmail.com

Thanks to you both.  Will check out all those options!

There are AT leanto's plus camping in High Point State Park; lean to in Wawayanda State Park.  In addition, overnite camping is offered in Mahlon Dickerson Park (Morris County) and Stephens State Park, and others.    Check our parks listings for where camping is provided and you can plan weekend hikes from that. 

There is the AT in the Kittatinnies, but I think that's about the same distance as the Catskills. Real back country camp sites don't exist in Northern New Jersey, but a great compromise would be http://www.glengray.org/. Great hiking all around.

There is the Town of Ramapo Equestrian Center which is just a little north of Kakiat on Route 202.  I have no idea about overnight parking but we've parked there for day hikes,  The SBM is just 1/2 mile in off the Pine Meadow.  I am sure you could find their number and ask them.

Neil,

 Use Smiley's Taxi as they serve the ski slopes and such in that area. They are in Tannersville and can be reached at (518) 589-6533. We used them when we did the Long Path through the northern Catskill's. The service was very good. I suggest parking your car at the end of your hike and taking the cab to the beginning.

Have fun,

Andy Garrison