2017-04-22 - Long Path - Lake Skannatati to Monroe
We were back! My friend Neil and I had hiked the first 50 miles of the Long Path Sections 1 through 5 from Fort Lee and George Washington Bridge up to the beautiful Lake Skannatati in Harriman State Park over two Saturdays in December. Here we were 4 months later continuing the journey. We started at 7:20 am and after briefly following the red trail by mistake, we found and started hiking on the Long Path.
The trail followed the lake's western shore before turning into the woods. 2 miles in, we reached Times Square, the intersection of many trails, marked by its name painted white onto a huge boulder. We traveled through marsh, swamp, and woods to reach the intersection of the Appalachian Trail less than 4 miles in. So far the terrain had been relatively flat and other than the light rain that continued on and off through the whole day, the weather was great.
The trail followed the lake's western shore before turning into the woods. 2 miles in, we reached Times Square, the intersection of many trails, marked by its name painted white onto a huge boulder. We traveled through marsh, swamp, and woods to reach the intersection of the Appalachian Trail less than 4 miles in. So far the terrain had been relatively flat and other than the light rain that continued on and off through the whole day, the weather was great.
We continued past knolls, roads, shelters, and streams. I loved seeing the grain fields that were higher than me and the vibrant greens of leafy plants that didn't exist in the wintry conditions of December. We also crossed paths with several trail runners and hikers along the way, some who were training for the North Face Bear Mountain Trail Run. Around mile eight we saw Hippo Rock, a large boulder perched over an ledge towards the trail. It looked more like a dog's head to me than a hippo. We passed by two more shelters before reaching US Route 6 and the end of Section 6 a little over 10 miles from the start.
An informational kiosk at the start of Section 7 had an old overview map of the Long Path and several descriptions including one about Raymond H Torrey. He helped establish the Appalachian Trail and other trails in the area. He was once choked by Robert Moses over a conflict over Moses's plan to build the Northern State Parkway along Long Island's glacial moraine. Some time after Torrey's death in 1938, a memorial plaque was placed on the summit of Long Mountain to commemorate his efforts. We found the plaque less than a mile from the kiosk and also enjoyed the breathtaking 360-views here overlooking Turkey Hill Lake.
This section, one of three in Harriman, is the toughest and most rugged. We quickly realized that we were unable to travel as fast. We crossed streams and roughly followed the southern boundary of West Point towards the west. We summited Howell Mountain before descending into Brooks Hollow. After several switchbacks and streams, we ascended up the steep terrain of Brooks Mountain where we found another great viewpoint. I found Neil, who had ran up ahead, sitting here and enjoying his canned fish. We rested for several minutes before moving on.
This section, one of three in Harriman, is the toughest and most rugged. We quickly realized that we were unable to travel as fast. We crossed streams and roughly followed the southern boundary of West Point towards the west. We summited Howell Mountain before descending into Brooks Hollow. After several switchbacks and streams, we ascended up the steep terrain of Brooks Mountain where we found another great viewpoint. I found Neil, who had ran up ahead, sitting here and enjoying his canned fish. We rested for several minutes before moving on.
Popping out of the woods about 14 miles from the start, we crossed NY Route 293 with 50-mph traffic and disappeared back into the wilderness. After passing a power line, we ascended up Blackcap Mountain and continued southwest along the West Point boundary. I was quite tired by all the ascents but the trail soon left the hilly terrain of Harriman and descended to Route 6. We walked along Route 6 for a while before turning into a grassy field. To our surprise, we found an old paved road appearing on the other side of the field, the old Route 6 before it was rerouted.
Walking on the paved road was quick and easy and we made up some time. The end of the unused road linked with a residential street with little traffic. Having the whole two-lane street to ourselves, Neil and I walked downhill past several residential houses, sampling wild mustard plants along the way. The first president of Cuba, Thomas Estrada-Palma actually lived here for many years before the Cuban Revolution and his presidency. We detoured slightly from the trail to head into town to refill on food and fluids. Failing to find the deli on Google Maps, we ate at an Asian restaurant, which delayed us quite a bit but was enjoyable nonetheless.
Walking on the paved road was quick and easy and we made up some time. The end of the unused road linked with a residential street with little traffic. Having the whole two-lane street to ourselves, Neil and I walked downhill past several residential houses, sampling wild mustard plants along the way. The first president of Cuba, Thomas Estrada-Palma actually lived here for many years before the Cuban Revolution and his presidency. We detoured slightly from the trail to head into town to refill on food and fluids. Failing to find the deli on Google Maps, we ate at an Asian restaurant, which delayed us quite a bit but was enjoyable nonetheless.
We found the deli only after exiting the restaurant and soon rejoined the Long Path. We walked past a golf course and entered onto a gravel road and gas-pipeline right-of-way between railroad tracks and the Woodbury Creek. The trail was perfectly flat and easy to walk on as long as we avoided its endless puddles. We couldn't shortcut over the creek so after some initial confusion, found our way along the creek. We traveled underneath a roadroad trestle and climbed uphill around a fence. We then descended down to NY Route 32 and reached the end of section 7 after about 22 total miles.
Having decided to attempt Section 8, we begun the long and steep ascent up Schunemunk Mountain. After going under a railroad trestle, we climbed rock steps and an embankment to reach the railroad tracks. While walking alongside the tracks, the imposing view of Schunemunk Mountain swung into view, 1100 feet above us. I felt thankful for my long sleeves and pants as we walked through poison ivy before turning away from the railroad. Neil run on ahead again as I played some music from my phone and followed behind. We stopped briefly enjoyed the views at Little Knob of a neighborhood where all the houses looked the same.
Having decided to attempt Section 8, we begun the long and steep ascent up Schunemunk Mountain. After going under a railroad trestle, we climbed rock steps and an embankment to reach the railroad tracks. While walking alongside the tracks, the imposing view of Schunemunk Mountain swung into view, 1100 feet above us. I felt thankful for my long sleeves and pants as we walked through poison ivy before turning away from the railroad. Neil run on ahead again as I played some music from my phone and followed behind. We stopped briefly enjoyed the views at Little Knob of a neighborhood where all the houses looked the same.
Less than a mile later at High Knob, the views were even more incredible. High Knob is an open and flat ridgetop with 360-views of the valley and the Hudson River. It was the best views we experienced that day. The trail descended down High Knob before climbing back up to the main ridge of Schunemunk Mountain. "I feel so happy right now," I told Neil. Nothing beats climbing a mountain with music in your ears and a friend at your side on Earth Day.
We reached the ridge top at an elevation of around 1550 feet after 25 miles total. We enjoyed the views as birds of prey circled closeby and undeterred winds blasted us with a cold chill. The Long Path turned left to follow the yellow Jessup Trail along the ridge. The former Long Path used to follow the orange Western Ridge Trail from here.
The sky dimmed as we hiked westward. After leaving Schunemunk Mountain State Park, we soon reached an antenna park. We curved left and passed several more great viewpoints as the sun set. Towns below us lit up with tiny pinpricks of light as a great fiery red blazed across the sky. Eventually the trail descended through the woods out of Gonzaga Park. It was quite dark and east to trip over tree roots and rocks so we decided to end our hike here about 2 miles from the end of the section.
We reached the ridge top at an elevation of around 1550 feet after 25 miles total. We enjoyed the views as birds of prey circled closeby and undeterred winds blasted us with a cold chill. The Long Path turned left to follow the yellow Jessup Trail along the ridge. The former Long Path used to follow the orange Western Ridge Trail from here.
The sky dimmed as we hiked westward. After leaving Schunemunk Mountain State Park, we soon reached an antenna park. We curved left and passed several more great viewpoints as the sun set. Towns below us lit up with tiny pinpricks of light as a great fiery red blazed across the sky. Eventually the trail descended through the woods out of Gonzaga Park. It was quite dark and east to trip over tree roots and rocks so we decided to end our hike here about 2 miles from the end of the section.
To our dismay, Uber and Lyft did not operate in this area. Luckily, we quickly found a nearby taxi company nearby that services Harriman State Park and hired a ride back to our car parked at the start of our hike. The 18-mile ride cost 50 dollars and although the driver was a bit reckless and easily angered, the van was nice and comfortable. I reached home at 10 PM and bid Neil goodbye with plans to hike again the following Saturday. In 13 hours, we had proudly completed 29 miles and 5800 feet in elevation gain.
