A holiday weekend is a great opportunity to escape to Harriman State Park, less than a 2 hour drive from Manhattan. It provides wilderness and space for day hiking and backpacking.
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| Lake Sebago |
Parking: Reeves Meadow Visitor Center, Seven Lakes Dr., Sloatsburg, NY
Friday Mileage: 6.75
Hike Time: 4.5 hours
Gear:
- REI Flash 62 pack
- 1L of water (refill at water source)
- first aid
- cookset, stove and fule
- water filter
- ultralight solo tent and ground tarp
- lightweight sleeping bag
- sleeping pad
- windbreaker, extra layers for warmth - all made of synthetic materials, NO COTTON
- washcloth
- batteries
- hand trowel
- headlamp and mini lantern
- tinder, lighter, waterproof matches
- hiking boots
- trekking poles
- map - NYNJTC #118
- compass
- hiking boots
- 2.5 days worth of food
Long weekends are excellent for planning backpacking trips. Instead of a typical weekend over nighter, you get 2 full days and nights spent in the back-country. Though Harriman State Park is not quite isolated or remote, it provides enough of a break from civilization as you can get just 90 minutes north of New York City. With plenty of steep climbs and rolling hills it can be as challenging terrain as any while trekking with a 20+lb pack. It is an excellent park for beginners to train themselves for higher elevations and more challenging hikes.
I planned a 2 night stay for myself at a few shelters less than 10 miles apart. I would make a loop back to my car on Sunday morning utilizing the numerous trail options the park has to offer. All of the trails are well marked and maintained by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and volunteers from the New York New Jersey Trail Conference.
Starting Friday morning I set out on the red blazed Pine Meadow Trail. If followed to its eastern terminus the trail runs along the northern shore of Pine Meadow Lake. After just 10 minutes or so I would veer left onto the yellow Stony Brook trail which runs parallel to the creek of the same name (for short distance it will join with the white Kakiat trail). If you ever venture out in this area you'll know this trail is aptly named. Having only 1 liter of water in my pack I planned to top off at the northern end of this stream. The trail is pretty flat and pleasant as the sounds of rushing water and the pitter-patter of squirrel steps adorn the woods. A little less than 2 hours later I would reach the orange Hillburn-Torne-Sebago (H-T-S) trail and then the red Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy trail just a few minutes later.
After topping of my water supply and adding unwanted yet necessary weight, I proceeded northwest on the red Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy trail along part of the southern shore of Lake Sebago. Breaking away from the lake and into the woods, the terrain gently rolls along towards the White Bar trail. I turned right here and followed it north to my camp for the night. Along the way I would pass the Dutch Doctor shelter and begin to see the gentle hills grow a bit. Rising and falling for a couple of miles I would arrive at a few intersections tightly packed together. First is the joining of the Blue Victory trail. The White Bar splits just a few hundred paces down the line and passes by the White Cross trail. Appropriately marked, the White Bar is a horizontal marking as opposed to the typical trail markings which are longer in the vertical direction.
It was such a beautiful day out, so naturally I passed many other hikers. Some in groups of 2 or 3, others with a dog tagging along. This particular park is highly traveled due to its proximity to NYC and the surrounding suburbs. I did not, however, encounter any others planning to stay the night.
After passing the White Cross trail the terrain continued its Jekyl and Hyde act, rising and falling throughout the forest. The rugged Ramapo Dunderberg trail would be my next junction. This 22 mile long trail runs from the Tuxedo Metro North train station on Route 17 northeast to Route 9W/202 at Jones Point along the Hudson River. I have been on it many times and it always provides a challenge. From this intersection it isn't long before a merge with the Yellow Triangle trail. Another 2 miles or so and I would reach camp, but not before a few more climbs. There's really nothing difficult about this hike; it has been a while however, since I have trekked along with a heavy pack up and down up and down. My legs were certainly feeling the burn at this point.
I stopped for lunch at a scenic overlook after a short steep-ish ascent. I hadn't stopped to rest or snack in nearly 2.5 hours; my body felt weak and in need of sustenance.
After lunch it was only .75 miles to the spot I would make camp, but not without one final incline. There is a shelter perched on the mountain face overlooking Orange County Route 106 and Lake Stahahe. Up above and closer to the trail there is a nice level parcel of ground for a tent and another with a fire pit. I set my pack down, pitched my tent and began the search for firewood.
After gathering more than enough wood I began breaking down the different sizes, from the smallest pieces of kindling to the larger logs that would burn longer. Dried leaves and grass would serve as tinder. By the time this task was complete sunset had arrived.
I had packed my own fire-starter: cotton balls lathered with Vaseline. The cotton balls burn easily but the Vaseline holds a flame and helps them burn longer. Together they make the most reliable start to a fire. Setting one unrolled ball down on top of a charred log left by previous campers, I topped it with some of the natural tinder I collected. Lighting the cotton ball I allowed it to go to work. As the flames grew I added wood beginning with the smallest twigs first. In just a few minutes I had a great campfire; it is THAT easy!
About an hour after I started my fire I cooked myself dinner. An easy to prepare flavored pasta I picked up at the supermarket; just add water, bring to a boil and let simmer. After I ate it was time to relax. I picked up Wild by Cheryl Strayed and read by the fire. What a peaceful evening. The sound of a crackling fire, small nocturnal animals scurrying about and a good book. Hard to beat that.
I read and stoked the fire for a few hours before I got tired enough for bed. After I allowed the fire to die down I retired to my tent to read for a short while longer. Soon I was dozing off.
Saturday I had about 8 miles to cover before I reached my next shelter. Rain was in the forecast and I was not thrilled...
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