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 Hi, I'm wondering if you have a any suggestiongs for a overnighter in Harriman. I was looking for a place on or near a swimable lake that has or allows fire rings or pits. I would preferably like to hike no more then 3 or 4 miles to the site. Someone has suggested lake skenonto. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Answer Strictly speaking, camping and fires are permitted only at shelters, none of which are near swimmable lakes. Swimming is only permitted at designated beaches, none of which have camping anywhere nearby. Lots of folks camp, build fires, and swim at various sites in the park, but it's a risk. I have seen the signs of camps and fires at Lake Skenonte, and I suppose that folks swim there as well. I have seen people swimming at Island Pond, and I have camped and swum at Turkey Hill Pond and at Pine Meadow Lake. But I repeat: camping, building a fire, and swimming at any of these sites is not permitted, and I have occasionally met park authorities on the trail who would challenge you if they caught you.
If you decide to do this, pick a site that has been used before, and build your fire in an existing fire ring. Don't burn your trash -- anything you packed in, pack out. Use only downed wood as fuel -- don't cut anything off of a standing tree, even if it's dead. Basically, even if you're going to break the rules, you should minimize your impact on the wilderness.
