AboutWhitestag Expertise I can advise on anything having to do with hiking and backpacking skills and equipment, including map and compass and orienteering skills. I cannot advise on the use of GPS devices. I cannot advise on car camping or group camping (10 or more people). My primary geographic expertise is in the US Northeast, but I know how to find information on hiking and backpacking just about anywhere.
Experience I've been hiking and backpacking for about 40 years, including ongoing section hiking of the Appalachian Trail (over 1000 miles so far). I have hiked extensively in the New York Metropolitan Area, as well as various other areas from Virginia north, including upstate New York, New England, and Eastern Canada.
Organizations belong to New York - New Jersey Trail Conference Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Publications New York Walk Book, 7th Ed. New Jersey Walk Book, 2nd Ed.
Expert: Whitestag Date: 6/30/2008 Subject: harriman state park
Question hello, i read one of your thorough responses to a question about harriman state park on allexperts.com, and then saw your extensive expertise on your profile. i'm hoping you can guide me on some good hiking. so here's my situation: i'm going to be overnight hiking with a group of 5-6 adults of varying hiking/camping skill, but all in good health and shape. we will be going to harriman state park for a three day weekend, arriving on a friday afternoon in july and departing on sunday afternoon. the object is to get some good hiking in (maybe 2-3 mi on friday, 5-10 mi on saturday, and 3-5 mi on sunday) and to see some beautiful scenery (lakes, waterfalls, expansive views, etc). a path that takes us to lake swimming would be important in the summer heat. thanks in advance for your time in responding!
sean
seanranieri@hotmail.com
Answer If you have read my previous responses on Harriman, then there is not much to add without repeating myself. Harriman is not known for waterfalls, although there are nice cascades along Stony Brook and Pine Meadow Brook near the visitor center along Seven Lakes Drive. Swimming is legal (beaches with life guards) in only four places that I know of: Lake Welch, which has no trail access, Lake Sebago, near the Triangle Trail, Lake Tiorati at the circle, which is close to the Appalachian and Ramapo-Dunderberg trails and the Long Path, and the Bear Mountain swimming pool, where a bunch of trails intersect. You will not be able to do lake-to-lake hikes, at least not with legal swimming in mind. Folks often swim in Pine Meadow Lake, but I have had park employees chew me out doing so.
Your primary limitation is going to be the shortness of the distances. Even in Harriman, shelters or designated campsites are not that close together. Make it 5-6 miles, and you will be better off.
