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.

 

PVPatrick's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 12/13/2011 - 9:47am
Does anyone know if this section has been cleared?
Dave Connolly's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/16/2011 - 8:10am
We are Hiking this area in three sets. Looks Like we have to Park at Culver Lake...drive around to to Buttermilk Falls Blue Trail . Park..Hike up/In to trail head. Is there a better way for this segment?   Second Segment would start us at Mohican Center, (make sure you ask permission here, (908-362-5670). Then have left the other car at Buttermilk Falls.   Third (final Segment) Leave Car at Mohican...head South to DWG and cross PA Bridge.   I have called Dispatch at (570-426-2457). They were helpful but also some what vague in what was REALLY CLOSED for car access. This group really needs to get some one on phones that really knows the roads and conditions. Does any one really know what is open and clsoed on roads west of ridge?      
tommi's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/15/2011 - 11:15am
I will be hiking in Mount Beacon Park this weekend, and was hoping someone could confirm the hunting regulations for the Mount Beacon Park and Hudson Highlands State Park areas. The NY/NJ TC East Hudson Trails Map #102 states that only bow-and-arrow hunting is permitted in the park areas shown on that map (including Mount Beacon Park and Hudson Highlands State Park.) According to the NY DEC website (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/28605.html), the New York Southern Zone "Regular" season opens this weekend (Nov. 19 - Dec. 11,) while Bowhunting is permitted Oct. 15 - Nov. 18  and Dec. 12 - Dec. 20. So, here are my questions: * Does the "Regular Season" include bowhunting (for the Sothern Zone) * Is hunting permitted in Mount Beacon Park? * And if so, is it bowhunting only? Thanks for your help! -tom
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/14/2011 - 3:51pm
Hi there - does anyone know if I will be able to get to Elk Pen parking lot from Rt. 17 in Harriman?  I was told Arden Valley Road is closed, but beyond the Elk Pen lot, so I should be able to get there ok.  I am looking to do a Lemon Squeezer/Island Pond loop this weekend. Any ideas on the accessibility and conditions?   Thanks.
Dave Connolly's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/16/2011 - 7:59am
I think we were there before the storm and all was good.  
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/15/2011 - 11:10am
thanks a lot for the replies - looks like i am clear for an elk pen parking island pond loop this weekend :)   thanks again
flyguy's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/15/2011 - 8:56am
Arden Valley road is closed above the entrance to Elk Pen - The Squeeze - Pond loop is all clear either way you go   2 Dogs
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/14/2011 - 8:43pm
Last time i hiked through there was on 10-6, and the EP was open for parking even though AVR is closed to traffic. That was over a month ago, so hopefully someone who has been there more recently will reply.
jonboy's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/07/2011 - 6:06am
I went up to check on my trail, the Wicoppee Trail, in Hubbard Perkins, in Fahnestock Park.  I drove in on East Mountain Road to Trout Brook Road and noticed that the only trees down were a few around Rt 9.  When I got to the trail head I encountered five vehicles belonging to bow hunters, but virtually no new trail damage.  I attribute this to the fact that all this land is above 1,000' and most of the leaves were either down or totally dried up and brown, hence not as heavy, when the snow hit.  Most of the snow was melted by this point, and that which remained was patchy and not deep.  The streams were not particularily high and the trails were not too muddy. The bridge at the trailhead has been washed out from Irene, as have several along Schoolhouse Road, and pretty little Trout Brook Pond is gone.  The dam has been spectacularily washed out and all that is left is an eroded mud flat and a debris field down stream.  There were no homes or roads affected by this wash out, as it is all undeveloped public land down stream.
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/03/2011 - 10:07pm
On the Triangle Trail heading north, about 1/8 mile past the intersection with the Victory Trail near Lake Skenonto there is a downed power line. It is not completely to the ground, but low enough that you would have to get on all fours to cross under it. I do not know if it is still live or not. I bushwhacked around it, keeping a healthy distance from where it is hanging low. Report and photo sent to the TC. If you are planning on hiking this section of trail, please use caution!
jonboy's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/03/2011 - 1:38pm
I have spent the last couple of days clearing blowdown from 9 miles of trail (Kitchawan & Muscoot Farm) that my wife, Darielle and I maintain.  I encountered a lot of broken branches down, but only one tree.  Many of the branches could be simply be dragged off of the trail.  Some of the larger one would require some pruning before they could be removed, I use a 20" pruning saw I carry in a sheath. This and a a pair of loppers was all I needed.  Many of them looked really bad because the leaves were still on, but once you got stuck in to it, they were soon reduced to pieces that could be handled. John Graham
jbeard's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/01/2011 - 5:46pm
Today we did what should have been a very quick and easy hike:  from the north end of the Anthony Wayne parking lot, we walked up to the Beechy Bottom Road, took it south until it turned into a bike path, and then took that to the 1779.  Hiked about half a mile south on the 1779, turned around, and came back the same way, except that we took the bike path that leads directly to the south parking lot, crossing the RD and AT on the way.  This took over 2.5 hours, in part because of the 2-4 inches of slushy snow, and standing water where it had melted, but mostly because on this short walk we found at least 30 branches and whole trees blocking the wood roads we took.  Several, including a 3-4 tree pileup on the Beechy Bottom, blocked the way so that we had to go off into the woods.  Some we could climb over. In several places the downed trees so cover the way that it takes a while to see where the road goes next. Some of the branches and trees could be dragged off the trail, but there is days of work for a chainsaw crew, just in this small area.
jessemarc's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/07/2011 - 9:03am
I too was in this area, and this was a few days before the 10/29 storm. I was hiking but the blowdowns in this area are severe enough that it would be difficult to carry a bike over or around the trees blocking the bike path.
Troop201's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/01/2011 - 3:00pm
Our boy scout troop is planning to do an overnight packpacking trip this coming weekend in Harriman and I am trying to find out what conditions are like in the park and if the trails are open.  Can anyone help? How much snow did the park get?
Troop201's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/07/2011 - 5:58pm
Our troop undertook the planned backpacking trip this past weekend 11/5 -11/6.  We hiked into the Bald Rock Shelter from the parking lot at Lake Skanatati.  We had no problems getting into the park taking Seven Lakes Drive down from Route 6, and the trails were clear.  There was not much of any storm related damage that we saw on either the Long Path and Dunning trails hiking in, or any of the other trails in the area when we did our day hike up towards the Lemon Squeezer.  The snow was gone except for a few spotty areas in the shade off the trail, but some muddy conditions remain in the low areas along the trails.  There was plenty of water along the way and the spring at the shelter was running fine.  Overall, we were quit surprised to see the lack of damage that had ocurred from the storm. Good hiking to all.  See you on the trail.
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/04/2011 - 9:50am
Today i hiked the Triangle, R-D, and Victory Trails near Tuxedo. While most of the snow was gone, there were lots of spots with a lot of water. I had overboots that i wear over my trail running shoes when needed, so my feet stayed dry. A number of stream crossings that can usually be crossed on rocks were flowing heavily, and would have been very difficult to cross without my boots. The Triangle Trail looked like a chainsaw crew had been to work for about the first mile from the trailhead off the R-D, but after that it was one blowdown after another. I moved what small branches i could, but it is going to be a lot of work to get the entire trail cleared.  The R-D Trail from the trailhead in Tuxedo to the intersection with the Victory Trail near the Tom Jones shelter is in pretty good shape, with a few minor blowdowns, and numerous branches. The Victory Trail from the above mentioned point to the intersection with the Triangle Trail near Lake Skenonto is in great shape. All trails have swampy areas that are flooded, and if you don't have waterproof boots or shoes your feet will get wet. Lastly, and most importantly, there is a downed power line on the Triangle Trail about 1/8 mile from Lake Skenonto. I am starting a separate topic on this, and the TC has been notified.
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/02/2011 - 9:45am
I'm heading to Harriman (southern part, near Tuxedo) tomorrow. If no one else responds, i'll post my findings tomorrow night.
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 10/31/2011 - 10:17pm
Any current advice on trail access to Sugarloarf Mtn? Wondering if parking area is accessible from Dale Lane, or if the road is closed.  Also, how much snow may be on Mink Hollow Trail and Pecoy Notch Trail.  Is Route 214 usable from Phoenicia to Tannersville area? Thanks for any help on this.     Ira
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 11/03/2011 - 12:18am
Greetings everyone, So, to answer a few of my own questions-----  I took a little hike on Wednesday, Nov. 2nd, from the trailhead off of Dale Lane to the beaver pond at Pecoy Notch and back.  Platte Clove Mountain Road was open, although I suspect it will be closed soon for the winter season.  Trail had some mushy snow and was mostly wet, although not at all problematic so long as boots are waterproof; nice walking.  Met a few hikers who had gone over Sugarloaf and up to Twin; they seemed to have had no trouble.      Ira
HT Supervisor's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 10/31/2011 - 10:03pm
Having just recovered from the Storm damage from hurricane Irene, the HT was once again damaged by falling branches and blowdowns from the recent snow storm. All effort will be made to patrol the trail (again) and clean up the new damage. All hike reports are greatly appreciated as HT sections, particularly remote ones such as the Newark Watershed, can go for months between patrols. Hiker reports help us to correct the problem areas quicker. Please feel free to report any HT problems in this forum or by contacting me directly. Volunteer opportunities abound on the Highlands Trail, with sections that need maintainers from Storm King Mountain NY to Hunterdon County NJ. Thanks.   Glenn Oleksak Highlands Trail Supervisor [email protected]