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.

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dap387's picture

Can any comment on the depth of snow on the Timp-Torne, and R-D trails starting from Anthony Wayne Rec Center as well as the West Mountain Shelter? I am planning an overnight there this weekend. Can this be done with microspikes but without snowshoes?   Thanks,
ron6788's picture

I did a hike yesterday at Harriman on the 7 Hills trail.  Really deep snow on the mountain tops, about 2 feet.  Lower parts of the trail were well trodden and easy walking, though.  I'd recommend light traction devices for going up and down but you could probably get away with none on the flatter parts.  Myself, I had Yax Trax light on one foot and nothing on the other and it was okay.  No ice on the trail, just snow. It's serious winter in Harriman this year, maybe the most I've seen.  Lake Sebago looked like a vast snowfield.  In fact, I forgot it was supposed to be a lake.  Nice blue ice formations hanging off rock cliffs along 7 Lakes. Parks Dept did a great job keeping 7 Lakes clear, not just the road, but the shoulders!  That was so important yesterday for those of us that like to do winter bicycling and running.
dap387's picture

Hi, thanks for the bulletin! I was thinking of doing an overnight at one of the lean-to's in Harriman next weekend. Do you think those areas are unreachable at this point? If we don't get any more snowfall, are they likely to be cleared up by then?
banjolady's picture

1/27/15  though we didnt get the blizzard of the century,  we  do have lots of nice snow in harriman today--went xc skiing from sebago and conditions were lovely, some powder on a good base.  some people were using snowshoes last weekend. apparently the local ski areas are open --fahnestock and the gunks...and most of the tri state area should have some decent xc skiing and hiking...
Purple Octopus's picture

Did the Silvermine Lake loop with a quick extension up & down Black Mountain for the viewpoint. The route was around 75% solid ice on the trail, around 2 inches thick.  Seems that there was snow on the trail, then rain fell on top of the snow, then temps dropped before any of that could melt & the result was ice all over trails which don't usually accumulate water.   YakTrax or MicroSpikes were essential.  There was no way this hike could be done without the extra traction.   I'm assuming after today's snow that conditions will be similar, though the ice will be hidden under the new snow, making for even more challenging hiking.
johnm's picture

In response to the question posed on January 13: Route 106 within Rockland County is not closed in winter.  There is a fine roadside parking area along the south side of the road where the SBM crosses, as shown on the Trail Conference Harriman-Bear Mountain Trails Map.  This location is my recommendation though this is not a Park road and there is no assurance that the parking area will be cleared.  Parking areas also exist on Route 75, Call Hollow Road, at approximately the same distance from the shelter as from 106.  These are also not along a park road and their condition is less desirable, particularly for overnight parking- close to the edge of a highly traveled road and questionable condition of the lot, among the considerations.  There is no parking along Lake Welch Drive where the Long Path crosses (or elsewhere on the Drive).  Note too, that St. John's Road is a park road and the Park rule to not park along Park Roads is commonly enforced.  The St. John's Church lot is signed as no-parking and the church is serious about it. 
91762's picture

Can someone advise as to the current (winter) parking availability near the subject Shelter off Rte 98, 75 and/or 106? Is parking available close to where the S_BM Trail crosses Rte 106? Realizing the current parking availability, what is the most direct route to the Shelter? Finally, if anyone has been there lately, any info on trail conditions or availability of water in the area would be appreciated. Thanks. Bob
btsullivan@post.com's picture

Trails are closed for XC skiing and shoeshoes.  About 2.5 inches of snow fell overnight.  That is the total amount on the ground at this time.  Still not enough to ski yet, please check back later for updated information.
horicon@post.com's picture

Not  enough snow for skiing...  Plenty of cold weather.
ron6788's picture

Anybody been up to Harriman and/or Hudson Highlands lately?  I'm just wondering if there's snow or ice on the paths so I know what shoes I can wear.  Thanks.
Daniel Chazin's picture

I was in Harriman yesterday, and there was essentially no snow or ice.  However, some snow probably fell there today, so if you are going tomorrow (Sunday), you might want to bring MicroSpikes or Stabilicers.
ron6788's picture

thanks
btsullivan@post.com's picture

The ground is still bear in the "Gunks".    No cross country skiing or snowshoeing.  Just walking or hiking.  It is still cold with a "little" wind.
btsullivan@post.com's picture

Still no snow in the Gunks for snowshoeing or Crosscountry Skiing.
btsullivan@post.com's picture

There is no cross country skiing at minnawaska or mohonk.  Just hiking!!   Merry Christmas.
horicon@post.com's picture

Flood Watch for Ulster County, NY. 
horicon@post.com's picture

Hurley Rail Trail    Great afternoon walk. No Ice  or Snow on the trail.
tree188's picture

12/23/2014 Hiked this section on Sunday the 21st.  Path was clear and well marked.  No snow, very overcast.  Bashakill Wildlike Refuge was scenic.  Look forward to seeing this place when it is green.  However, it was good to see the place with the leaves down.  Allowed for a better view of the overall lake and marsh.  Saw a juvenile bald eagle and its roost.  Lots of small bird mobs (chickadee, slate juncos, woodpecker, brown creeper and nuthatch) along the way.  Ended up using the old LP acess to exit at Shawanga Lodge Rd.  Sorry to see the trail head on the road has been eliminated.  This is a good trail for access on and off the Ridge.  This should still be a marked public access, even if the parking is limited.
horicon@post.com's picture

The trails at mohonk are bare of snow, as of this writing  12/22/2014. Winter has started, Get out ans hike.
btsullivan@post.com's picture

Yes, Its less than 90 days till Spring.