Trail Conditions Forum

Mud? Ice? High water at stream crossings?

This is the place to let the trail community know what you encountered, where and when (be as precise as possible). Suggestion: Make the trail or park name your subject.

To report serious trail problems that need Trail Conference attention, including illegal trail use issues, visit our Contact Us page. Problems reported through our Contact Us page get to the maintainers fast and reliably. Problems reported on the forum below may help fellow trail users avoid problem areas until they get fixed, but not all maintainers read this regularly.


 

Bob's picture

The Signs that were on the Sign post at the junction of the Mine Trail (yellow) & the New Roomy Mine Trail (Orange) that now connects Wyanokie Falls (Blue Mine Brook Falls) and the Roomy Mine has been vandalized and the metal signs have been removed but the post remains. Please consult the map in the NYNJTC Kiosk and map inserts in Map#115 for directions, until we can get the signs replaced. And if you spot vandalism on any of our trails please report to NYNJTC Headquarters in Mahwah. Thanks, Ynoke
PVPatrick's picture

Currently there are only a couple of inches of snow in some places to virtually no snow in other south sloping spots. There are some icy spots and ice covered rocks, frost heaves, etc, but no need for snow shoes. Sorry this didnt end up under the right message.
jddeller's picture

I am looking to do an overnight snowshoe/backpack trip in Harriman. Does anyone know how much snow there currently is on the trails? Also, would appreciate any recommendation for a 5 mile or less hike to one of the shelters - something that can be done on snowshoes (assuming there is snow).
BrianSnat's picture

One hike I recommend is the loop to the West Mountain shelter. Great view from the shelter. "Keep not standing fixed and rooted, briskly venture, briskly roam" - Goethe
Michael K7's picture

I just did a hike in Harriman today (Tuxedo to Sloatsburg), and what Patrick says is true- there is only a couple of inches of snow in most spots, and some spots have no snow. With it supposedly going up into the 40's this weekend, much of the snow that is there is likely to be gone by next week. As for a shelter/hike recommendation, you would have to let us know what part of Harriman you wanted to hike in, how you were getting there (public transport or car), and when you're going. Once we know this, it might be easier to make a recommendation.
banjolady's picture

Today a car was broken into at reeves meadow- passenger side window smashed. No visible purse- car was a volvo xc70 wagon. I think they started breaking into mine but were interrupted-i've got some marks on the passenger side. Luckily my friend carried her wallet. Please let the hikers in your clubs know about this. park police took down our info and said that they had not heard of other recent breakins. .
Susan    fri 1/8/10

Wounded Knee's picture

There's a major blowdown at the southern junction of the Ramapo-Dunderberg and Triangle trails -- big tangle of trees and branches, partially obscuring the blazes. -- Wounded Knee
johnm's picture

This blowdown has been reported to the Trail Conference Harriman area (certified) chainsawyer teams who group reported blowdown sites and will plan to include this one in an outing for clearing. The teams cleared hundreds of blowdowns during each half of 2009. We appreciate the reporting of blowdowns and other trail problems.
ydfranklin's picture

does any one know if there is enough snow any were in the catskill mountains to do some BC skiing? even if there isnt enough yet, can any one tell me some good trails/ mountains to back country ski on?
Doug C's picture

The NY-NJTC has compiled a list of great places and parks to cross-country ski in New York and New Jersey in order to let members know where to go. http://www.nynjtc.org/content/ten-great-places-crosscountry-ski-new-york...
ahl124's picture

Tried to hike this on 12/27/09 and I could not cross the Wanaque River due to the amount of rain and snow melt from previous week. Was well over boot height and moving swiftly.
BrianSnat's picture

A common occurrence Fortunately the level of the Wanaque drops quickly after storms and melts.
yankee.clipper's picture

We've been informed that the bridge reconstruction project near Lake Kanawauke is now finished, and that Rt. 106 is now clear and open all the way! Ed Goldstein
dsuttr's picture

An organized group of Visigoths is committing criminal mischief in Harriman Park. Not content with performing their evil work on the AT, Blue Disc, Sign and Map removals in Doodletown, Little Doe and Rock house MT cairn desecration , Myles Bench eradication with a chain saw, they now have struck Poached Eggs destroying the cairn on Pine Meadow Road and the initial three blazes posted at that site. These are not individual acts of Vandalism but are part of a highly organized network of destructive vermin. respectfully, dave sutter
dshecht's picture

The vandals have also struck the Parker Cabin Hollow and White Bar Trails. On PCH many of the blazes have been bashed (with a stick?) or stabbed (with a knife?). On the White Bar - from 106 to the Nurian (as far as I went) most blazes have been defaced with a black marker. There are some angry people our there. Donald Hecht
stephensherman's picture

Found out today that horses can be easily spooked.

When hikers are in the woods, and the horses hear, but can't see them, that spooks them. Walking around the open, visible area of the parking lot and paddock is much less disconcerting to the horses.

On returning and approaching the horse paddock, (about halfway down the hill from the gas line) call out "hikers coming thru," thus giving the riders a chance to settle their horses and move them away from the trail.

Update: Sign now posted, advising hikers to call out.

It also can't hurt, as you start your hike, to chat briefly with any riders (if convenient), and ask those riders what they would like you to do on your return.

Horses are easily spooked and can throw their riders, causing serious injury, so please be considerate & careful when using the Ramapo Equestrian Center trailhead.

jmb's picture

Passed this dry spring 19 Sept 2009; it's just south of the shelter (at the intersection of the AT and Menomine Trail) on a very short light-blue-blazed side trail.  Nothing but a few muddy leaves.  Water available from brooks north and south of shelter on the Menomine Trail.
slinkygirl816's picture

Just did this short hike on Saturday. The reservoir/creek was quite high and came up onto the trail a few times, but nothing impassable. The path was quite muddy though, so just be aware.
Estelle's picture

The bridge replacement is complete - Clinton Rd is open!

Clinton Rd in West Milford NJ is temporarily closed to through traffic.  The bridge over Mossman's Brook will be replaced within the next couple months.  Parking at P3 is accessible from the South only.  Parking at P4 is accessible from the North only for Two Brooks Trail and Highlands Trail heading north.   For Clinton West and the Highlands Trail South of the bridge, access Clinton Rd from the South only. (you will have to drive past the barricades in both instances) The bridge can be crossed by foot until it's removal.  Then it will have to be rock hopping across the brook until November.  We'll try to find a good crossing point for hikers. West Milford DPW has posted detour signs.

dsuttr's picture

.Major bulldozing is destroying this fragile area. does anyone know when the telephone line construction will be completed and are there plans to repair the muddy roads caused by this extensive destruction?