Trail News: October

Additional Stillman Bridge
Work Will Close Trail

The second phase of the Stillman Bridge replacement in Storm King State Park has started this fall. For the safety of the crew and hikers the bridge will be closed during construction. Scheduled work dates are October 28, November 10, 17, and 18. There may be other work trips during that October and November when the bridge is not passable.

Weekday Detour Required for
Wanaque Reservoir Trails

The Wanaque Reservoir section of West Brook Road, between Stonetown Road and Greenwood Lake Turnpike (County 511), is scheduled to be closed through November for reconstruction. The closure will be in effect Monday through Friday, 8am to 4pm. Access to the trails in Norvin Green can be made from the north via Stonetown Road and Morestown Road; from the south via Otter Hole Road.

The Harriman Parking
Area That Isn’t

On Trail Conference Southern Harriman Bear Mtn. Trails Map 118, a parking "P" is shown just off the east side of 7 Lakes Drive, along Lake Welch Road. Although at that location there exists a very obvious, fairly large, partially graveled and partially grassy lot, the Trail Conference has been informed that it is not an official parking area and cars can be ticketed.

Update: Harriman Park
Gas Pipeline Construction

Construction of the Millennium Pipeline through Harriman State Park continues and was very active as this issue went to press. As noted in the September/October TW, all affected trails will remain open unless there is blasting or other dangerous conditions on a particular day and time. When construction is active or dangerous conditions prevail at a trail crossing, flagmen will be present.

Work will continue to adjacent Kakiat County Park, where the Millennium Pipeline connects with the Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC pipeline that runs roughly NE and SW, approximately paralleling Route 202. There, the horse trails will be rather severely affected by closures because they follow the right of way for significant distances. Information about when the Algonquin work may begin was unavailable as of our deadline. 

Once the construction through Harriman Park is completed, work is to commence between Route 84 in Sterling Forest and Warwick, NY, although the park has not been advised when this will occur. From Warwick, pipeline construction is to continue to Corning, NY. 

As noted in the prior article, once the pipe is lowered and overfill is completed the construction areas are to be graded and restored to pre-existing contours. Discussion with PIPC personnel confirms that the park is monitoring the construction and will be closely involved with assuring appropriate restoration. For information on the status of specific trails on specific days, call the Park Superintendent’s office at 845-786-2701.

At the Blue Disc Trail, immediately west of Johnsontown Road, significant construction activity was continuing at the start of October. This busy area is likely to remain active for an extended period. The flagged reroute of the trail is now well trampled and easily followed.

At the trailhead at Johnsontown Road there is a confusing sign: “Road closed, use the right of way.” This sign is for the construction workers so they avoid power lines over the paved access road that the trail initially follows. Hikers should ignore the sign and follow the trail up this short paved section to reach the short reroute that begins across from the gas distribution station.

V3 Last updated: October 3, 2007   Copyright © 1996-2006  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.