Hike Recommendations

As one who enjoys cross-country skiing, I think I can answer the question.  The ski tracks make it possible tor one to glide with one's skis, thereby enhancing the skiing experience.  If hikers walk in the tracks, they become uneven, and it is much more difficult (and much less fun) to follow those tracks in skis.  Common courtesy to skiers should require hikers not to step in the ski tracks.

Given the near record temperatures we had today, I found it somewhat ironic that you chose this day to pose your question.  So far this season, your question has been solely a theoretical one!

If you are a very experienced hiker in excellent shape and thoroughly prepared for adverse conditions, a through hike of the Devil's Path can be done even in the winter, when the trail is covered with snow and ice.  But I would not recommend this.  Many sections of the Devil's Path -- particularly the west face of Sugarloaf Mountain -- can be very treacherous in the winter, and crampons are absolutely essential.  Even with crampons, the west face of Sugarloaf is extraordinarily difficult to negotiate in the winter, and if you want to do a through hike, it makes much more sense to wait until the spring, when conditions are more favorable.  Once the snow and ice has melted (probably sometime in early April), you might want to do your hike before it becomes very hot in the summer.  But even in the best conditions, the Devil's Path is a real challenge, due to its steep ups-and-down and huge total elevation gain.  Good luck!

Are you driving or taking public transit?

Do you want to do a loop, or out and back?

Do you want to run the entire time, or are you comfortable with some hiking/scrambling mixed in?

Have you been to Harriman before? Shoes with a rock plate are strongly advised.

I hope you made it.  It was beautiful yesterday on Schunemunk.  Did you take the route you proposed?  I've not used any of the wood roads although they are clearly marked on the map.  Last time I did it I found the Long Path up Little Knob and High Knob very steep especially for descending but once you're up, that walk along the side of the mountain is breathtaking.  

We did a loop from Hi-Mar Lodge on the Long Path up to Barton Swamp.  There was clear evidence of hunting activity (blinds and ATV tracks) in that section of private land after the Long Path passes the Western Ridge and then again on the private section of Barton Swamp.  I would probably avoid that area in hunting season from now on.  But overall it was a beautiful hike - not quite long enough :-)  

Very good idea to wear orange.  We saw one other couple and the man had an orange hat on too.  

Schunemunk Mountain is made up of a patchwork of lands owned or managed by private owners, land trusts and NY State Dept of Parks. Much of the private land has open hunting season in accordance with the southern region DEC regulations. This means that much of the State Parks managed land is surrounged by active hunters durring the season, although, currently there is no hunting on the State property. (Consideration is currently being given to opening deer hunting next year.) Advise, if you plan to hike in the Schunemunk Mountain S. P. wear blaze orange by all means.

For a full list of regulations go to: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28182.html .

You can see a clear breakdown of the hunting seasons for each of the states regions at http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/huntingseasons1112.pdf   

The NY State areas of the Mountain are under the management of the Sterling Forest State Park. If you'd like to contact them you can try (845) 351-5907. They may have some additional information. 

At this time only bow hunting is allowed in hunting areas. Regular gun season begins Nov 19th and runs through Dec 11. 

Hi- The Smiley Carriegway runs right through the Witch's Hole State Forest. A very reliable pipe spring can be found along Smiley within this state forest. Best spot for camping can be found on the uphill northern end of the state forest near a stream.

Andy Garrison

witches hole state forest [ dec state land ] there is a pipe spring there along hike from the sams point area perhaps 8 miles , look at the trail conference map for detail. not many flat spots at witches hole.

Can't help you wiht the parking since i always use public transportation, but i will say this:

1- your day 1 is at least 8 miles, and will feel like more with all the ascending/descending you will be doing

2- if you take the SBM trail north from the shelter, you may have to do some serious rock scrambling. I hiked the entire SBM trail 2 years back (but in the opposite direction), and i remember one section where i had to climb down a ways, and it was one of the toughest scrambles i've done. At one point i almost wished i had a rope for safety. I can't say for sure that this section you would be hiking is where this scramble is, but just be aware that it is a possibility. Other than that, i am not familiar with the trails in this part of Harriman.

Have fun!

I also want to do the same hike- I want to head out this Monday, and want to do atg least 3-4 days(will take other connecting trails if Dev's P will be too short). Have you done the hike already?If so - how was it? If not, maybe we could do it together? I am looking for other people to join because I prefer not to be there on my own...

Thanks!!

Dan 

Hi Dustin,

The Catskill's map set shows the entire length of the Devil's Path, it's on map 141. Trail Conference maps show shelters, water and view points to name a few things. currently the western trailhead in Spruceton for this trail is closed because of Irene. You can stay updated on this matter with this link http://www.nynjtc.org/news/postirene-message-hikers-trail-maintainers

The maps also have trail descriptions on the backs of them. I suggest that you buy a map set as they cover many miles of trails in the Catskill's. The coverage area is NE Sullivan, Ulster, Greene, Southern Delaware and Extreme Southern Schoharie Counties.

Andy Garrison

There's NO train sevice on that side of the park - But you can grab a bus back to the City or to the Ramsey Train station / As for the shelters you mentioned From Peekskill - West  would be your 1st shelter Via either the AT or the S-BM Trails (Both are pretty good climbs) from there to the Finger Board Shelter is approx 10+ miles (read the log book on the guys that where there when Irene hit) from there you can take the AT to Lemon Sq and pick up the white Bar tr (or any other Tr heading south) to the T-MI which would take you into Tuxedo .............. 

Happy Trails :o) 

2 Dogs 

Breakneck Ridge and Bonticou Crag are a blast for rock scrambling, though both are definitely challenging. Also, Bonticou Crag is in Mohonk Preserve which charges an entrance fee per person. Also, Breakneck Ridge is OK for agile dogs but Bonticou will be too difficult. I also saw there is a group hike up Bonticou on October 9th.

The southern end of Norvin Green State Forest has some good ups and downs and rock scrambles.

If you want a great weekend trip, try the Tongue Mountain range by Lake George. A LOT of rock scrambles on that hike.

A little farther to the north a nice hike on Bearfort Mtn, the same ridge as Terrace Pond so the terrain is similar. Start behind the marina at the NY/NJ border on Lakeside Drive. And take the State Line trail to the yellow blazed trail. Take that south to the white blazed Bearford Ridge Trail. Take that south and return via the Quail Trail (orange blazes).

The 7 Hills Trail starting near the Reeves Meadow Visitor center has some good up/down scrambles. 

The Suffern-Bear Montain Trail starting at Bear Mountain has a few STEEP scrambles (i almost wished i had rope for one of them), but i don't remember how far from the trailhead those sections are, as it's been over a year since i hiked the northern part of that trail.

THe Breakneck Ridge Trail is an obvious choice for scrambling, and if you take that trail all the way to South Beacon Mountain, there is a great scramble up the side of the mountain that leads to one of the most spectacular views in the area.

Have fun!

in harriman there are a number of shelters-they are clearly marked on the harriman trail maps. . however we see evidence of "stealth" camping all over.  wherever you decide to camp, remember that campfires are illegal and very dangerous. despite recent rains, the woods are dry again and forest fires destroy trees and vegetation at an alarming rate. there are many areas that still show evidence of forest fires from 20-30 years back. you can email me off list for further info regarding water options.

banjolady.susan@verizon.net

Well, first I got the name of the trail wrong, it's the South Taconic Trail that I was refering to.

We wound up in MA's Mt. Washington State Forest.  We camped 2 nights in their primative camping area and did some loop hikes during the days.  There's a variety of trails and we felt lucky not to be up on the ridge during the thunder and lightening.  It rained all day Sunday so of course there was water in all the streams.  All in all it seems like a nice area that I think we'll be going bck to.

Only way i know of would be to take the bus from Port Authority to Bear Mountain, then you will have to hike about 2 miles south on the 1777E trail to get to Doodletown.