Hike Recommendations

Where should you hike today? Where is a good swimming hole? Are the Mountain Laurel out in Harriman yet?

Try searching our Hike Finder but if you don't find the perfect hike, try asking here.

 

 

PVPatrick's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/16/2010 - 1:04pm
The rock scrambling trail along the hudson is directly below the State Line Lookout parking area off of the Pal Parkway. There is a large trail map there outside the restaurant. Basically follow cliftop trail(blue) south down the steep stairs(blue over white) to the river trail(white) turn north a quarter mile to the rocks which are the remains of the quarrying that used to go on there. You can go all the way through the rocks, which are quie extensive, and up another steep stairway to the top of the cliffs and make a full circle, it may be a bit much for the young ones to go all the way. Im sure this area is covered by the Trail Conference palisades mapset.
fatvegan's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/18/2010 - 1:09pm
I think its called the Shore trail but I havent been there in a dogs age so I'm not sure
UGotSarged's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/28/2010 - 12:30am
Hi, this may seem like a tough question to answer, but maybe someone knows the answer... I went on a hike in 2001 with my Boy Scout group in the Harriman-Bear mountain area (I know this because I have a cloth map from then as a souvenir a scout master got us all). It was a 2 day hike (hike in, camp overnight, hike out) that was roughly 10 miles altogether. I'd like to try to do a hike like that again with some inexperienced friends but can't remember what trails it was. Here is what I remember... it was a steep climb the first day with a lake to our left for a good few hours. I remember the lake to the left because some wise guy thought it would make the trip shorter if we hugged the lake. Instead we got wet and it took longer... anyway, after some hiking through the woods we came up to an amazing view of (what I think) was NYC in the distance. We were on a big rocky mountainside. Then we camped near, I guess, was a shelter nearby. Then we hiked all the way back... that's all I really remember. Anyone who knows of the trail I speak of (or just as good, a trail that may fit my needs of hiking/camping) please speak up. They actually talked me into the trip so now I'm pumped and really want to do it. Thanks ahead of time! -Sarge
Troop201's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/28/2010 - 10:13pm
I don't know about the trail or trails that you might have taken as a scout, but based upon your description of the view from where you camped, and the fact that there was a shelter near by, I'd have to guess that you camped near the West Mountain Shelter. This shelter has the best view in the park and it is the only one that you can see NYC from with clear skies.
UGotSarged's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/03/2010 - 5:15am
You, troop, may be a genius. That solves the question of the 'where did I camp' question. Now the only question is thus: Where can I park my truck for 2 days as we hike? I was thinking, perhaps, starting at Anthony Wayne Recreation Center and heading south to Ramapo-dudnerberg and then I'm more or less lost. I'm trying to decide whether heading north (at that trail near cat's elbow) straight to the Timp-Torne then heading east, picking up the west Mountain shelter and the timp and then circle back to the ramapo dunderberg all the way back to the southern end of the A.W.R.C. Or should I stay on the R-Dberg and go Timp, then shelter (basically backwards of my original plan)? I'm not sure if it's uphill either way or not... like I said I''ve got inexperienced (but willing) friends and I don't want to kill them on their first serious hike... Again, you are all awesome and I appreciate the help!
BrianSnat's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/14/2010 - 12:31pm
The view sounds like West Mountain but I can't think of any approach to the West Mtn shelter that passes a large lake, so odds are that it isn't the one. I've overnighted near the West Mt shelter several times and parked in the lot on 7 Lakes Drive. One time I took the AT/Timp Torne and returned going down Timp Pass Rd to the 1777. Another time we took the Suffern Bear Mtn trail to the shelter and returned to the car via the AT/Timp Torne and 1777
hiker4414's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/29/2010 - 11:30pm
You can also see NYC from the Big Hill shelter on the SBM Trail.
Wolfie2nd's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/27/2010 - 6:37pm
i was wondering if anyone had a copy of the book Harriman Trails a guide and history by William J. Myles they would be willing to part with for a small fee? From what they said to me at Barns & Noble Its out of print....
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/29/2010 - 11:01am
I am currently working on a new, revised edition of the Harriman Trails guidebook by Bill Myles.  The new edition should be available in June.  The previous (1999) edition is out of print.
Troop201's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/25/2010 - 9:42am
I'm planning an overnight hike for a boy scout troop in Harriman (about 10 people) and would like to get some recommendations where to hike and camp. We normally hike in on Saturday moring, set up camp and then set out for a day hike. We are planning to stay near a shelter and will need to find water a reasonable distance away. I would appreciate any recommendations that anyone can offer regarding overnight camping sites as well as day hikes that might include some interesting feature that the boys would enjoy seeing or exploring. Thanks for any help you can offer.
Phil McLewin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/23/2010 - 2:41pm

Saturday May 1, 2010, 10 am Rockland Lake State Park.

Celebrate the beauty of Rockland Lake State Park and enjoy a 3.5 mile walk around the lake. The walk starts at 10 am, rain or shine. There are 150 lakeside picnic tables if you want to make a day of it.

For details of the First Annual Earth Citizens Walk including registration fees see www.earthcitizenwalk.org. All proceeds go to benefit UNICEF

thex's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/16/2010 - 4:49pm
HI, My girlfriend and I are interested in doing a few overnights somewhere in the NJ Pine Barrens. Can someone give me some info about good area to hike and do some backcountry tent camping. I'm not looking for a camp ground with bathrooms and such. I'm more interested in being miles away within the Pines, and not be in trouble or breaking any laws to do so. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks.
Wolfie2nd's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/27/2010 - 10:35am
Call up basto ranger station an they will send you a map of the 49 mile batona trail. The pines are terrible in the summer due to ticks an chiggers. Also all camping in the pines requires a permit for like 2$ an when you get the map you will come to find out that the spots for primitive camping are spaced terrible hope this helped
Estelle's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/17/2010 - 7:56pm

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)

denali2001's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/03/2010 - 11:45am
how hard is it to obtain it for a full camp (8 people) in the off season (before March 20)? I understand it's "first come first served" but don't want to drive all the way out to Smith Point ranger station from NYC and find out we can't all dune camp. Anybody have any experience wilderness camping in the Otis Pike in winter, and problem obtaining permit for a few people? Thanks.
Paul_A's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/11/2010 - 6:17pm
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.
Estelle's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/21/2010 - 10:10am

A section is still closed  

http://www.nynjtc.org/park/ringwood-state-park-4

jeffs's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/21/2010 - 9:15am
hi does anyone know if the trail throught the ford waste site is reopened in ringwood yet? jeff [email protected]
jpylka's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/05/2010 - 10:05pm
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
NYCStickyRice's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/16/2010 - 10:32am
I'm planning to lead a small group of intermed/advanced backpackers on an overnight trip through the Suffern-Bear Mnt traverse this weekend. If anyone has done sections of this trail or the entire 23.5 miles over the winter before, I'd appreciate your comments. Was the scenery worth it? With all the recent snow, I'm thinking snowshoes and Microspikes may be necessary. Thanks for any pointers or insights!