AboutWounded Knee 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 (almost 1300 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.
Publications New York Walk Book, 7th Ed. New Jersey Walk Book, 2nd Ed.
Education/Credentials Not applicable to this area of expertise.
Question I was wondering what you would consider the best shelters with great views on or very near by? I have been to Bald Rocks Shelter only. Also, another question if I may, What shelter do you think has the best chance for gathering wood? And this is regardless of view. Thank you.
Answer Very few shelters have views. I'd say the best view is from the West Mountain shelter on the Timp-Torne trail about 1/2 mile off of the AT. It has a good view of the Hudson River, and on a clear day you can see NYC. At night, you can see the NYC lights. Only two other shelters have something of a view: Big Hill at the intersection of the Long Path and the Suffern-Bear Mountain trails, and Stockbridge, on the Long Path a tenth of a mile or so east of the Menomine trail. The Stone Memorial shelter on the Suffern-Bear Mountain trail right where the unblazed Sherwood Path crosses might have a view, but I don't recall for sure -- it's been a while since I've been there.
As for firewood, none of the shelters are very good -- you generally have to wander a couple hundred yards or so to find already downed wood. It is absolutely forbidden to cut wood from standing trees, even if they're dead. The problem is that the shelters in Harriman are pretty heavily used, and everyone likes to build fires, so all the wood gets used up. As a rule, you'll probably have better luck at the shelters that are a greater distance from the parking areas, since those are likely to be less frequented.
