Paddling Lake Welch in Harriman State Park

Posted on by Brownski

Lake Welch in Harriman State Park is a frequent paddling spot for me. There are multiple reasons for that. It is right off of exit 14 on the Palisades Parkway, making it supremely accessible. It has a dedicated parking area for paddlers behind a locked gate so even on the park’s busiest days I am almost guaranteed to be able to find a spot. It’s big enough to get a modest workout and do a little exploring so I don’t get too bored with the scenery.

Lake Welch boat launch

All the lakes in Harriman are compromised as pure nature experiences. The place is just too popular and too close to the city to find true solitude.

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Tagged: Harriman / Bear Mountain, Paddling6 Comments

Spring Hiking in New York

Posted on by Steve Aaron

Ski season gave way to hiking season in April for me. After a few local hikes to stretch out the legs, in late April, my dog Stella and I joined my friend Ken for a hike up Wittenberg Mountain in the Catskills. This was my first “big” hike of the season, with the goal of meeting up with my daughter Alison and her friend Alice as they completed their Catskill 3500 peaks on Wittenberg.

Climbing Wittenberg

Ken, Stella and I started at Woodland Valley, trudging along to the base of the steeps of Wittenberg. The climb up the steeps was a great challenge so early in my hiking season and it went well for all three of us. There was one spot where I had to hand off Stella to Ken to pull her up a tall, steep section.

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Tagged: Catskills, Gunks, Hiking3 Comments

Snow Mountain Scramble

Posted on by Peter Minde

Are you the manager? I’d like to speak to the manager, please. My name is Karen, and I really need to complain about the Deer Brook Trail. How can you even call this a trail? I broke the heel on one of my Jimmy Choos. My Kate Spade bag is covered with mud. I want a refund.

approach to Snow Mountain hike

After the heat wave earlier in the week, we expected various amounts of rain every day in the Tri-Lakes. Friday looked like the most benign weather, so I drove to Keene Valley with Snow Mountain and the Rooster Comb in my sights. As I descended Route 73 into Keene, rain came down like water from a bucket.

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Tagged: Adirondacks, Hiking3 Comments