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 Could you please recommend a a fairly simple (flat , not too long) backpacking trip for a couple of dad's and a couple of boys - the youngest being 9. We've camped before - but never packpacked. We were wondering about Harriman - we live not too far away. We would start out doing one night only. Is a permit required? thanks, Larry
Answer Permits are not required. Park regulations state that backpackers may camp only at or near shelters, but lots of folks camp at other convenient locations.
Understand that Harriman State Park (and nearly all locations west and north of NYC) is pretty hilly, so nothing will be totally flat. You'd have to find someplace out on Long Island, or possibly head to the Pine Barrens in Southern NJ for the really flat areas.
The most accessible shelters in Harriman (involving little or no climbing) are the Fingerboard Shelter, about 1.4 miles NW on the Appalachian Trail from Tiorati Circle on Seven Lakes Drive, and the Dutch Doctor Shelter, accessible via the White Bar trail from the end of Johnsontown Road off of Seven Lakes Drive in Sloatsburg. Both of these shelters have water relatively available -- from the Fingerboard, follow the blue-blazed Hurst trail a couple hundred yards downhill to a small spring (if it's dry, you may have to hike 1/2 mile down to Lake Tiorati). For the Dutch Doctor shelter, there's a reliable brook less than 100 yards away on the Tuxedo-Mount Ivy trail. All water must be treated or filtered.
Some key points: Get a map of the area where you intend to hike. The Harriman map set, published by NY-NJ Trail Conference, is readily available from almost every outfitter in the NYC area. If you don't already have one, get a decent quality tent -- you can't depend on shelter space being available, since it's all first-come, first-served. There are no toilet facilities in the backcountry -- bring TP and a trowel.
If you have any additional questions, feel free to send me a follow-up.
