Monday, October 22, 2012

Harriman State Park, NY - Reeves Brook to Diamond Mountain to Stony Brook


ABOUT THE PARK:
Harriman State Park - The Palisades Parks Conservancy
Harriman State Park - New York State Parks

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates to Reeves Meadow Visitor Center parking 41.173744,-74.168567

View Larger Map
This parking lot fills up quickly, even during the week.  Monday at 7:30 AM...
... Monday at 2:30 PM, lot packed and people hovering for spots.  Everyone tends to go to Pine Meadow Lake - ran into very few hikers on this hike.

TRAIL MAP:  NY/NJ Trail Conference Southern Harriman Bear Mountain Trails Map 118

PEAK BAGGING:
Diamond Mountain - Peakery.com

HIKE DISTANCE:  6.5 miles

THE HIKE:
Start on the red on white Pine Meadow Trail from the parking lot for a short distance then turn right on the white-blazed Reeves Brook Trial.
Only 9 days ago there was very little color in this area - now past peak with lots of leaf drop but still very nice color at the views.
The white trail follows along pretty Reeves Brook.
An abandoned home on the trail.
Immediately after turning left on the blue on white Seven Hills Trail, a steep uphill scramble that can present a huge challenge for dogs.
Checking to be sure I am really serious about going this way.
Some incentive part of the way up.
Almost there...
Now that was worth the climb!
After crossing a gas pipeline cut, up to more panoramic views.

Views continue along the Seven Hills Trail.
A brand new bridge replaces the one destroyed by Hurricane Irene where the Seven Hills and Kakiat Trails cross over Pine Meadow Creek.  (Shown as "bridge out" on the 2012 map.)
Pine Meadow Creek
Not at all amused at yet another claw-biting vertical scramble.
But there is a chicken jerky reward at the top for her...
... and more views for both of us.
Lake Sebago comes into view.
The descent on the red line on white Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail was much gentler than the climb up.
The Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail crosses Diamond Creek before ending at the orange trail.
The yellow-blazed trail runs along scenic Stony Brook.
Foliage in the gas pipeline cut.
It was an amazing crystal clear day.
Now that feels good!
Stony Brook

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take red square on white trail Pine Meadow Trail to right of kiosk and visitor center
[  0.05]  Turn right on white Reeves Brook Trail
[  1.20]  Left on blue on white Seven Hills Trail; steep vertical scramble
[  1.50]  Rock hop creek then cross gas pipeline cut
[  1.75]  Orange merges in from the right then leaves to the left; stay on blue on white
[  2.05]  Right on blue on white/red on white combined
[  2.10]  Left on blue on white/red on white when white joins in from the right, cross bridge then turn left on blue on white/white when red on white goes right
[  2.20]  Right on blue on white when white goes straight (turn hard to see - blaze on large boulder)
[  2.75]  Orange comes in from left; stay on blue on white/orange when yellow starts to the right
[  3.00]  Orange leaves to the left, stay on blue on white
[  3.05]  Yellow starts on the right, stay on blue on white
[  3.45]  Keep left on blue on white when grassy woods road goes right
[  3.70]  Turn left on red line on white Tuxedo-Mt. Ivy Trail
[  4.10]  Rock hop Diamond Creek
[  4.25]  Left on orange when red line on white goes straight
[  4.30]  Right on yellow Stony Brook Trail when orange goes straight
[  4.50]  Rock hop over Diamond Creek
[  5.60]  White joins in from right, cross bridge, right on white/yellow after bridge
[  5.95]  Cross gas pipeline
[  6.00]  Cross bridge
[  6.10]  Turn right on red square on white Pine Meadow Trail
[  6.50]  Back at parking lot

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Worthington State Forest/Delaware Water Gap, NJ - Mt. Tammany


ABOUT THE PARK: 
Hiking Mount Tammany - National Park Service

TRAIL MAP:
Hikes at the Gap - National Park Service
NY/NJ Trail Conference Southern Kittatinny Trails Map 120

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates:   40.97237,-75.125159

View Larger Map
Parking lot already about 3/4 full at 8 AM on a peak foliage day.

HIKE DISTANCE:
Today's hike was the 4-mile option (actually 3.5 miles).  Click here for the 8-mile hike from 10/17/2010.

THE HIKE:
The red-on-white Tammany Trail from the parking lot.
The first overlook.
Another hiker came back to let us know there was a porcupine on the trail up ahead.  When we got there he was off of the trail but had she not told me, I would have never seen him.  He was about the size of a basketball.
Up the steep rocky section...
... to views of Mount Pocono in Pennsylvania behind us.
Up some more.
More views into Pennsylvania.
Panoramic view from Indian Head Overlook (taken by my son)

Mt. Minsi from Mt. Tammany
Descending on the blue trail.
Dunnfield Creek
The foliage all along I-80

HIKE SUMMARY:
[ 0.00]  Red dot trail at southeast end of parking lot.
[ 0.45]  Arrive at first overlook
[ 1.30]  Red dot trail ends at the summit of Mount Tammany; views; continue on blue trail
[ 1.60]  Turn left on blue trail; Mt. Tammany fire road goes right
[ 3.00]  Left on mint green-blazed Dunnfield Hollow Trail
[ 3.20]  Left on white-blazed Appalachian Trail
[ 3.50]  Back at parking lot