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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ashtab's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 07/05/2012 - 7:59pm
I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was a cub you saw. The first two bears we spotted were large adults traveling together, so it seems likely that there are some families in the area. The third actually came towards us on the trail and was not dissuaded by our shouts and noisemaking. He continued to move our way, so we scrambled up a ledge and grabbed some large rocks in case he had smelled the food in our packs. He sauntered casually past, the way we had come, looking back now and then almost as if he were still trying to make up his mind about letting us be. I know many people who will swear that black bears are harmless, but they do occasionally kill humans in the wild, so I hope that everyone heading into the park prepares themselves first.
noel.benford's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 07/04/2012 - 7:54pm
Thanks for the update, Ashtab. Things don't sound much different from a few weeks ago. Almost no water source on the maps except the lakes are much more than muddy mosquito lairs. The bears are out for certain. I was not hassled by them, but after an encounter, I did pick up some bear spray. It's a lively summer for some species at least! 
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/28/2012 - 2:17am
Hi all. Planning on hiking the White Bar trail starting at the parking lot on 106 to the Dutch Doctor Shelter and then going up to the Tom Jones Shelter via Triangle, Victory and R-D. Want to spend the night at the Tom Jones then next day Take R-D up to the Bald Rock Shelter, Dunning to the Long Path and the LP to the White Bar trail head. Then take the White Bar back to the parking lot on 106. If anyone knows of any problematic trail conditions can you pass that information on? Would really appreciate it. Also, do park police need to be notified when anyone is camping? I was told last year, when I had been planning an overnight camping trip, by park police at the Bear Mountain station that there is a form that should be filled out with information about where my car will be parked along with a description of the car e.g. make and model, plate number. They also stated that I should leave information regarding what trails I would be hiking. I can understand why they might want this done for safety but is this the regular procedure that everyone follows? I figured that I would just leave my car in the lot with  my cell number in the window. This will be my first overnight and would appreciate any feedback on the right thing to do. Thanks
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/28/2012 - 12:05pm
To the best of my knowledge, there is no requirement that hikers planning on camping overnight in Harriman State Park must notify the Park Police of their intent to do so.  I have camped many times in Harriman, leaving my car in a designated trailhead parking area overnight, and have never notified the Park Police in advance.  I have never received a ticket or a warning from the police that they should be notified of my plans before I embark on my hike.  I don't think that there is even a need to leave your cell phone number in the window.
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/28/2012 - 12:21pm
Thank you very much for your reply. As usual your response has been extremely helpful.
ramblingphil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/25/2012 - 12:33pm
Thank you for the update.
ramblingphil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/20/2012 - 2:52am
Has the Giant Stairs along the Shore Trail been stabilized yet following the massive rock slide of last month?
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/20/2012 - 5:26pm
The Shore Trail across the Giant Stairs remains closed in the wake of the rock slide that took place last month.  The massive boulders and other loose material that fell during this massive slide are still considered unstable by the authorities.  Their hope is that after several heavy rainstorms, the loose dirt and small rocks will wash away and the remaining boulders will be stable enough to support a trail.  But this is not likely to take place unitl after the summer -- at the earliest.  So, for now, the trail remains closed to the public.
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/13/2012 - 12:16am
Hi all. I'm planning on doing a hike up to the top of Mount Wittenberg but when I go hiking I almost always take my dog with me. Does anyone know whether it's ok to take a dog on the trail up to Wittenberg or if its even a hike that a dog would be able to do?
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/13/2012 - 10:02am
Dogs are permitted on hiking trails in the Catskills, as long as they are under the control of the owner.  In fact, except in developed areas, such as campgrounds, the dogs need not be on a leash.  As for whether this is a hike that a dog would be able to do, that depends on the ability of your particular dog.  However, I know that some dogs have climbed all 3500-foot peaks in the Catskills, so it is possible for experienced dogs who are accustomed to long hikes to do the climb.  Part of the climb (just below the summit) is quite rocky and steep, so this needs to be taken into consideration.  You might have assist your dog in negotiating this section of the climb.
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/13/2012 - 7:04pm
Thank you very much for your response. It was very helpful. My dog is very experienced and accostomed to long hikes and climbs. I was concerned because I had read that some sections of the trail were very steep scrambles. I have assisted her on short steep scrambles in the past with success. So she will be accompanying me. She has been my hiking partner and enjoys it very much. Thank you  again.
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/07/2012 - 9:01pm
Thinking of doing this hike this weekend: http://nynjtc.org/hike/bare-rock-trail-greenwood-lake-overlook Anyone have any status on the trail conditions or anything I should be aware of?
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/09/2012 - 7:20pm
did this hike today - all trails well marked and no trail issues to speak of
jbeard's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 8:35pm
Google maps now offers excellent walking routes in NYC--from my apartment to the 5th Ave and 59th corner of Central Park, for instance--with mileage and estimated walking time.  I asked it for a route from Route 17 and Arden Valley Road to Lake Tiorati, and it suggested walking up Arden Valley Road to the circle, although it warned that there might not be a safe place to walk.  But I was able to drag the route down a bit, and it picked up the AT, and gave me the route using the Appalachian Trail from Route 17 all the way to where it crosses the AVRoad.  The Google route then continued to the lake on the road.  I assume that the AT is the only trail in the Google Maps database.  But does anyone know?  Are other trails in the region in it?  Will the Trail Conference add any or all the others at some point?
walkwoman's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 1:51am
Any time frame on replacement/alternate crossing of Monskville Reservoir stream crossing near Long Pond Ironworks at beginning of The Blue Trail?  Started off there last weekend and couldn't continue on Blue Trail due to no bridge and no alernate way across.  Water too deep and no rock crossings whatsoever.  Any idea?
mikefmbklyn@verizon.net's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/05/2012 - 6:57pm
Does anyone know the conditions on the RD from Tuxedo to Tioroti Circle?  Also, is the bridge still near the station or was it washed away last year also?  If that bridge is gone, I can always walk up the road.  However, I would at least like to get to the circle or the shelter.
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 2:51pm
The reference is to a footbridge across the Ramapo River that was until recently used by the R-D Trail to cross the river.  Several years ago, the trail was rerouted to head north from the station and then turn right to cross the river on the East Village Road bridge.  I believe that the footbridge is still there, but it is no longer the route of the R-D Trail.
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 10:21pm
If you're talking about the metal footbridge that you can access just south of the station and Post Office (you have to cross the tracks to get to it), and leads to the small parking lot with a skateboard ramp, then yes, that metal bridge is still there, and was usable the last time i tried (a few months ago).
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 10:32am
I was just on the R-D last Friday, but only the section from the Victory Trail to the Tuxedo trailhead. It was in fine condition. I imagine most of the northern part of the trail to the circle should be okay, since it's mostly open rocks once you get to Black Rock Mountain. Not sure what bridge you are referrring to...
mikebusm's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/04/2012 - 10:01am
Warning to all hikers- I encountered a Yellow Timber Rattlesnake about 4 ft  at the edge of the Doodletown Bridle Path curled sitting in the grass. Thank God it made a loud hum, I would have walk into it. I was surprised my dog did not get bit as she went to investigate and was 2' away. The snake was located  soon after the  yellow-blazed S-BM Trail turns right and the  bridle path  begins a gradual climb.