Maybe this website will help you http://www.njpinelandsanddownjersey.com/open/index.php?module=pagemaster&PAGE_user_op=view_page&PAGE_id=11&MMN_position=36:3

 

I'm sure you can link to more stuff from that.   Happy hiking (& camping)

For an answer to your question try calling the Wilderness Visitor Center at 631-281-3010 or 631-687-4765. One of those numbers works year round but I don't remember which one.

I did see something recently that the cleanup may be completed in the next month or two. Probably would have to be some updating of trail markers (I had also heard that many were missing in the vicinity of the mines...) The markers from JPISP and to Stop 7 appear to have been refurbished and maintained sometime late last summer. JP

Count on slushiness on shaded parts to nearly snowless on exposed southern exposures also the SBM trail is rocky almost end to end, so I would go microspike or screw shoes rather than snow shoes. I think the views are good, but you are looking down on Rockland county developments. The shelters are in generally poor condition, trash, etc. leaky roofs, and there are ATVs in the park and some people who let their dogs run off leash (generally less of a problem away from main parking areas which most of the SBM is). Other than that its great! Have a blast! If you end at Bear Mt, you can get hot chocolate and popcorn at the carousel!

A beautiful hike. I did the same route but only from Englewood Boat Basin. I was calculating that alone to be about 18 miles. Add the extra to the GW about 4 miles round trip. The climb up the Palisades overshoots the Stateline lookout by about 3/4 of a mile and the climb up itself is about a half mile. Took me about 9 hours in warm weather. That was by myself and a little jogging thrown in. With a group and short daylight you've got to get going early. The stairs themselves can be a little daunting if you've got a little vertigo. Bring walking sticks or grab something trailside. I've never been there winter but I would not attempt the stairs with any kind of snow cover and I'm not to keen on icy either. I know us seasoned hikers are a hike any where any time mentality but the stairs can be a little dangerous even in dry weather. If I'm reading your plan right your going north on top and south on the bottom. I definetly recommend it the other way. After climbing the peanut leap trail the lookout is a great midpoint break at the food pavilion.(and an indoor bathroom!). You might want to check if it'll be open considering the new park closures. It is a popular x-country ski spot. Also it is somewhat self supporting with the food stand so maybe it will be spared. You'd also want to get the giant stairs done earlier than later. The variety of terrain and scenery will quick become one of your favorites. Have fun.

More like 22 or 23 miles. I hiked it one way along the top once from the state border to the GWB, and that was 11 miles.

I know a guy who once hiked the Long Path from the GWB all the way up to the entrance to Lamont-Doherty in one day - he took the bus back, though. As for me, I've done a few loop hikes around Closter Dock, Huyler's Landing and Forest View, and I'm still working up to the Giant Stairs.

Bus goes to Stockholm, NJ weekdays during rush hours but only to Newfoundland NJ on weekends. However you can access the Highlands Trail either way. In Stockholm you can reach the Highlands Trail - the bus passes right by it. The trail crosses Rt 23 at Canistear Road. From Newfoundland station you can bike to it as others have done in the past. www.highlands-trail.org This is the beautiful northern mountains of New Jersey :-)

I recommend:

1- Take the Metro North Hudson line to either Cold Spring, Garrison, or Beacon. The East Hudson Trails map set will show you the trails available here.

2- Take NJT from Penn Station to either Sloatsburg or Tuxedo. The Harriman/Bear Mountain Trails map set will show the available trails.

Have fun!

Try the following page on the NY/NJ Trail Conference web site.... http://www.nynjtc.org/content/you-dont-need-car

Hi,    it would be best to contact the Ringwood State Park Office to confirm the rules and perhaps get permission.  I know the Park closes at sunset - so you will definitely need to check with them.   The phone number is 973.962.7031.

I've never heard anyone advise against the water in Harriman, after treatment. At the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if there was crypto or Giardia in some/most of the water sources. With the number of humans around (especially those who ignore the suggestions about human waste and proximity to water sources), I always assume crypto is there and treat accordingly. To filter out crypto, use UV or a filter that goes down to .2 "absolute" microns.

The other suggestion I have for you is to take your water only from moving sources, where possible. Some of the lakes in Harriman don't move much and a nasty layer of organics forms on top and clogs intakes on filters, etc.

One final note: I have never heard of viruses (e.g., hep A) in NY waterways, but I use a Steripen that will inactive the viruses. If you aren't using UV, the CDC advises you to take these steps: 1) mechanically filter the water, 2) treat it with a halogen (chlorine or an iodine solution), 3) let it sit 15 to 60 minutes (or per manufacturer instructions), 4) then drinking.

If you have the map set put out by the NY/NJ Trail Conference, for Harriman State Park, the streams are shown on the maps. My wife and I have used them as water sources when we hike and backpack in the park. Just make sure to treat it in some way to make it potable before you use it.

I have done a tremendous amount of backpacking, a couple of times in Harriman / Bear Mountain. I had always hung my food and never lost any. Last year my son and I thru hiked the Vermont Long Trail and carried a Bear canister, slept much better at night. I used to worry about the hanging food when I ever I heard animals moving about outside. Andy

If you have a full 5 days, I would recommend heading upstate to either the Catskills or Adirondacks. The Adirondack High Peaks are probably more your speed (and my fav), although it is a bit of a trek depending on where you live. Pick up the ADK Mountain Club guidebook (better yet, visit the ADK Loj!) and map for trails and campsites. Take Exit 30 off the Northway (Lake Placid) - there are some very nice sites for car camping less than 10 minutes north on RT73 along the Boquet R., and fantastic water for swimming (swimming holes take some finding). If you prefer backpacking, there are several very nice interior outposts which give you access to many of the highest peaks (my fav is Algonquin). If you're from S. Jersey, you may want to look into Wharton State Park (camping is available). The Batona trail is a nice hike (although very flat). Apple Pie Hill is recommended, although I don't know about swimming. If you'd like some hills, and prefer to stay in NJ, head up to the Delaware Water Gap (Worthington State Park has camping). I'd recommend Sunfish Pond (good swimming), Van Campen Glen (swimming available there too I think), or Tillman Ravine (and nearby ridge) as nice hikes. There is also a section of the AT accessable for backpacking in that area. Also in the area is Stokes State Park with camping (not familiar with it though). In time I think you'll be suprised by how much nature we have in Jersey, but it takes some work to find the really nice spots. Good luck!

Hi Dave, I am very familiar with Pyramid. There is a fairly extensive trail system, so you will need a map (usually freely available in the lot). By far the most popular hike takes you past Tripod Rock - I would recommend this for your first visit, but note that this is a very popular destination on weekends especially, so expect crowds. If you're looking for something quieter, you can try crossing the road and hiking Turkey Mtn, although there is somewhat less to see there (the view of Lk Valhalla is nice though). As for your desired distance, you can probably hit 5 miles or so without crossing the road. It's tough to hit all the interesting spots without retracing your steps a bit, but it wouldn't be too bad. For a ~5 mile hike (may be a bit shorter actually), I'd recommend starting at the lot and walking the lower trail (sorry, I don't have a map handy so you'll have to go by my landmarks) NE along the reservoir (there is a nice piney outcropping with a view of the reservoir along this trail), then cutting back up the mtn and to the SW to visit Tripod Rock. From there I would head back the way you came a take a left at the start of the red trail (I think!) which cuts across to another interesting glacial erratic called Whaleshead (on your left) then ultimately reaches a T where you will turn left towards Bear Swamp and Bear Rock. Beyond Bear Rock, I usually return to the lot via the power cut to look for hawks and dragonflies, but there is an alternative trail I believe if the power lines bother you. If you still have energy, cross the road an walk the "hundred steps" up to some stone ruins on Turkey mountain, then I'd recommend looking for that southward view of Lake Valhalla. Enjoy!

http://www.nynjtc.org/park/pyramid-mountain-1

Hi  Dave, above is the link to the TC web page for Pyramid, the trails there are not in our North Jersey Map set.  They will be in a new mapset that's in the works.  The  Pyramid Mtn Visitor Center has a trail map available, newly revised. If you can't pick it up prior to your hike, you can easily figure out a loop hike once you get there.  I'm not familiar with the trails so can't recommend anything, but there are a couple of new trails that extend away from the Center; you can park a car at Kincaid Rd and Powerville Rd and hike through if you wanted a longer hike.  There are people at the Center that can help you.   It is a good place for rookie hikers.   Also, there's the Tourne in Mountain Lakes, one big hill with really great views, a wildflower trail, and then you can hike on all the other trails to get a longer hike out of it.  There's a very large beaver dam with their newly created lake along one trail.  Maps at the kiosks.  

Check out the Rails to Trails Conservancy at www.railstotrails.org. They work to convert abandoned rail lines to hiking/biking trails. The trail through Tallman is a nice one. They are usualy level and nicley surfaced with packed grit material or even paved. Many go through nice wooded areas.

PSM, I'm sure you walked north along the river starting at Nyack Beach State Park. Have you ever walked South from Haverstraw? Very nice. The first quarter mile is paved, then it's a dirt road, perfect for the stroller. The parking is at the end of Riverside Avenue: http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&q=haverstraw+ny+map&oe=UTF-8&i... Goes along the river, gently rolling.

Most of these involve drives of between 20 to 45minutes from Suffern ,,,,,,,, The Celery Farm in Allendale http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=40&GetHikes... ......... More of a ride but the Wood Duck Trail http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=49&GetHikes... ,,,,,,,, Even more of a ride, Pochuk Boardwalk Trail http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGN210-008 .......... Lord Stirling Park http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=55&GetHikes... .......... Mt Taurus Don't do the loop as described, but if you take the blue trail going north its a nice woods road for a couple of miles. Old carriage roads also interlace the area. http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.ASP?DispType=1&ActiveHike=16&GetHikes... ........ Ringwood State Park has numerous old carriage roads that offer gentle terrain........ Hope this is a good starting point. ======================================== "Keep not standing fixed and rooted, briskly venture, briskly roam" - Goethe

Pine Meadow Lake (southern hariman) is a great place to camp .

Is there a possibility of there being some good back country trails closer than catskills. Some of the group are not too keen on the 3hr drive.

Where region are you looking at? New York? New Jersey?

Since you are looking for a backcountry trip, I'll assume you know how to purify water and that your group has adequate gear. Remember that this is still black bear country, so hang your food, cookware and toiletries before you go to bed.

Before knowing exactly what you're looking for, I'm guessing that you'll end up in Harriman State Park, about an hour north of the city. In that case, you'll need to buy the Harriman/Bear Mountain map set. You can purchase them on this website, or from a local outfitter (EMS, Paragon, Campmor, etc.). You'd also be well advised to purchase the Harriman Trails book as it provides a wealth of knowledge and history on the trails in Harriman. I don't see the book available on the TC website at the moment, but most of the local outfitters should have it. It's by Myles.

There are a number of loop hikes that would fit your description. Let us know what area or park you're looking at and I'm sure we can be of better help.