/r/Harriman

Photograph via snooOG

A community for discussion about Harriman & Bear Mountain State Parks, the second largest park in New York, 30 miles north of NYC. Discussion, specific questions, photos, trail reports, and other content welcome. Please no memes.

Discussion about other contiguous state and county parks is welcome.

Leave No Trace of your visit to Harriman: https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/

A community for discussion about Harriman State Park, the second largest park in New York, 30 miles north of NYC.

NYS Park PDF Map - Free

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State Website for Bear Mtn.

Official Harriman/Bear Mtn Paper Map- Purchase

Official Map App for Harriman/Bear Mtn. - Purchase

The Shelters

Boating Guide

New York-New Jersey Trail Conference - The non-profit that maintains the trails and makes the best maps for the NY/NJ region.

Free Bear Mountain State Park Map

/r/Harriman

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36

Fires 🔥

If you’re camping, please don’t use ANY type of fire. There’s a ban and we have wild fires popping up all over the place. I saw several camps near the Bald Rock shelter this morning with camp fires. Completely clueless.

12 Comments
2024/11/09
17:38 UTC

3

Last min question about Timp Torne

Hi guys. Last min question for this weekend.

I'm looking to do Timp Torne from Anthony Wayne. If I come in via the orange line I drew, what's the best option to get to timp from the red pin?

  1. Out and back white line
  2. Loop black and white lines: this was my original plan, but after double checking with my paper NYNJTC map, the line I drew as black is a dotted line on NYNJTC map. What is the deal with that? Should I avoid that section and stick with option 1?
4 Comments
2024/11/09
02:41 UTC

41

Ya'll weren't kidding how dry it is up there. Everything just looks thirsty. Streams I remember with burbling and rushing cascades not even remotely damp.

12 Comments
2024/11/08
20:44 UTC

9

How’s West Mountain Shelter Right Now?

Got an overnight planned this weekend for an annual camping trip. We’re going to take a longer route from 9W. I assume there’s no water on trail and fires are definitely a no go with the dry conditions right now?

4 Comments
2024/11/08
04:49 UTC

22

Did anyone lose a machete along the Appalachian Trail in Harriman?

I found a machete lying just slightly off the AT trail yesterday during a day hike between the Elk Pen Parking Lot and Lemon Squeezer. I intended to bring it to the park office but I pushed myself too hard, too far and couldn't make it back to my car before sunset. If you think this is yours, please message me. I've already posted this in the Appalachian Trail sub.

8 Comments
2024/11/04
00:45 UTC

14

Tick Report?

I haven't been to the park since the summer and am curious if ticks are still active. I'm assuming so since we haven't had many cold nights yet.

I'm planning an overnight this week and wanted to sleep under a tarp with no inner, but don't want to risk being by terrorized by ticks.

Thanks in advance!

7 Comments
2024/11/03
16:50 UTC

8

Is the water running here?

Curious if anyone has hiked past this spot on the red-blazed A-SB trail and noticed the water running down this cascade.

About a month ago it’d been bone dry for weeks.

Thanks!

13 Comments
2024/11/03
16:09 UTC

4

Overnight route West Mountain shelter suggestions?

Looking for a good route that I can do an overnight at West Mountain shelter for my first time backpacking. I've done a lot of day hiking/camping but usually not overnight on the trail. Anyone have suggestions or one they've used before? I have a car so any trailhead is fine, a loop or short shuttle ride.

10 Comments
2024/10/28
12:48 UTC

5

Anyone know why this happened?

I was going on the Pingyp Mountain Trail and on the may back, after passing the highway a state trooper stopped and asked me if I was ok as I was stopped on the side of the road taking a break. I responded and said “yes, im on a hike” and he responded with “ok, don’t go that way” (he points towards the Pingyp mountain). Does the have to do with the fire today? Or is the trail closed?

4 Comments
2024/10/27
01:52 UTC

35

Fire on Nordkop Mountain today seen from Ramapo Torne

6 Comments
2024/10/27
00:24 UTC

17

Another drought comparison, waterfall by Nurian trail 2023-10-26 vs 2024-10-15

7 Comments
2024/10/27
00:09 UTC

16

Seen today on the Mountain trail coming into the park from Kakiat

4 Comments
2024/10/26
18:33 UTC

8

What are the chances of a fire ban this weekend? The NYS fire danger rating map has been on level yellow (high) for a while now

Here is a link to the map- Fire Danger Map - NYSDEC

6 Comments
2024/10/25
15:46 UTC

6

Suffern Bear Mountain Trail Water

Hi! I'm looking to do the Suffern to Bear Mountain Trail soon. Seems to have been mentioned plenty of times that the park is very dry, so I'm not expecting any water from streams. That said - is there any chance Third Reservoir is dry, or would that be a reliable source for at least the first half of the hike? Thanks!

2 Comments
2024/10/21
17:04 UTC

1

RD trail Car shuttle question

Anyone know of any reliable shuttles to use when doing a end to end backpack of the Rampo Dunderberg trail? Is Uber my best bet ?

5 Comments
2024/10/20
09:15 UTC

8

CW or CCW for this orange loop?

My original plan was CW until I looked at the elevation changes, so now I'm learning CCW.

We usually to prefer to go up the steepest section if possible instead of going down them, but wondering if there is is anything else to consider here.

Thanks!

5 Comments
2024/10/19
15:53 UTC

4

Lichen trail, bald rock, bowling rocks

Hi! I'm the guy who posted last year a few times for hike suggestions with my son as we do a hike every month. I posted on ChatGPT asking for a hike that would combine lichen trail and bald rocks as I had read that was a beautiful part of Harriman. Below is what ChatGPT gave me. My question is if we go in a beautiful Saturday morning between 9-10 is that parking lot going to be filled? Is there an overflow area? Any other suggestions?


ChatGPT:

Yes, it is possible to combine the Lichen Trail with Bald Rocks in Harriman State Park for a scenic hike. Here's a detailed guide for this hike, along with parking and points of interest:

Hike Overview

  • Location: Harriman State Park, New York
  • Distance: Around 4-5 miles round trip (depending on route variations)
  • Difficulty: Moderate, with some elevation gain and rocky terrain
  • Trail Type: Loop or out-and-back, depending on the starting point

Trail Description

  1. Start at the Lake Skannatati Parking Area:

    • Parking Location: The lot is located off Seven Lakes Drive. It's a well-known starting point for multiple trails in Harriman.
    • GPS coordinates: 41.24235, -74.08954
    • Parking Tip: Arrive early, especially on weekends, as the lot fills up quickly.
  2. Begin the hike on the Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Trail:

    • From the parking area, follow the Red marked Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Trail. You'll soon ascend through a forested area, offering beautiful views of Lake Skannatati in the distance.
  3. Connect to the Lichen Trail:

    • After about 1.5 miles, you’ll reach a junction with the Lichen Trail (marked with Blue blazes). This is where you’ll start encountering more open rock ledges, views of the surrounding hills, and sections covered with lichen.
    • Point of Interest: The Lichen Trail is known for its rugged, rocky path and panoramic views. The abundance of lichen on the rocks gives the trail its name.
  4. Hike to Bald Rocks:

    • As you continue along the Lichen Trail, you’ll merge with the Long Path (marked with Aqua blazes), which leads to the Bald Rocks area. Bald Rocks is a popular destination for its expansive, smooth granite outcroppings, with great views of the Ramapo Mountains.
    • Point of Interest: The open rock slabs are excellent spots for resting, picnicking, or just enjoying the view.
  5. Return Loop (Optional):

    • For a loop option, you can continue on the Long Path to the Dunning Trail (marked with Yellow blazes). This will eventually loop back to the A-SB Trail and return you to the parking area.

Points of Interest Along the Way

  • Lake Skannatati: A scenic lake, perfect for a quiet start or end to the hike.
  • Lichen Trail Views: Panoramic views of Harriman’s ridges and valleys, with rocky ledges and wild flora.
  • Bald Rocks: Expansive granite slabs with unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape. This is one of the highest points in the area.

Additional Tips

  • Bring water: There are no water sources along the trail.
  • Prepare for rocky terrain: The Lichen Trail and Bald Rocks sections are known for being rocky, so sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
  • Time estimate: Plan for 3-4 hours depending on your pace and how long you stop at scenic points like Bald Rocks.

This hike offers a perfect combination of forest trails, open rock slabs, and views, making it a great adventure in Harriman State Park!

19 Comments
2024/10/18
22:56 UTC

3

How is this route?

I’ve had a lot of luck just following random trails…but curious if this route is bad or gonna be super busy Sunday:

https://www.gaiagps.com/public/lsEVghOYsLVFpgGC040FrkRY

8 Comments
2024/10/16
17:01 UTC

15

Times Square - 10/6/24

Snapped this

0 Comments
2024/10/14
03:42 UTC

5

Has the water situation improved since summer?

I remember just a few rainy days in reports some weeks ago, are the streams still nasty trickles to bone dry? Thinking of going Southfield-Bald Rocks-Dutch Doctor-Tuxedo

Update: did an overnight on 2024-10-16, no water in streams along Nurian

3 Comments
2024/10/14
00:19 UTC

49

Anthony Wayne, South Lot

3 Comments
2024/10/11
02:58 UTC

12

Places to see Aurora Borealis (clear north views)

Thursday and Friday night may see Northern lights in New York due to a geomagnetic storm. Usually you need as little light pollution as possible, face north.

Are there any spots with clear north views accessible by car? (don't want to hike in the dark).

Thank you and may the lights be with us.

Forecast/info: https://www.spaceweatherlive.com/en/auroral-activity/aurora-forecast.html

2 Comments
2024/10/10
01:08 UTC

4

Water Along the AT

I am going to do a couple of nights in Harriman along the AT from Elk Pen to Bear Mountain. Does anyone have any intel on the water along the AT near William Brian and West Mountain shelters? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

4 Comments
2024/10/08
01:34 UTC

14

Coyote?

It's 11:25 at Fingerboard Shelter. I just heard a few "how how-how howoooo"s. It's not a loon. Anything else around here make that noise?

p.s. The noise from 87 is rediculous.

12 Comments
2024/10/06
03:28 UTC

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