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.

 

rwarsak's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/19/2011 - 10:37pm
Planning on hiking the eastern section of the Devils Path on Sunday.  Has anyone hiked here recently? Any ice or areas of concern to know about before venturing to do this hike? Should be dry enough to do on Sunday I hope.
LindaC's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/19/2011 - 4:47pm
Thanks so much.  I really appreciate all the work the Trail Conference does to keep the trails and maps in order. 
KellnerB's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/16/2011 - 6:45pm
I just purchased the latest edition of the Sterling Forest trail map, mainly because of the "new" Redback Trail, and, on 5/14/11, I set out to follow this trail, starting at the the parking area off South Gate Rd (indicated on the map).  First of all, be aware that any low-clearance vehicle will have great difficulty entering this parking area, since the access drive is quite washed out.  Secondly, once you're parked, I could find no indication that the Redback Trail was even in the vicinity.  Being reasonably familiar with the area,  I knew where to go from the parking lot.  Once on the trail (I did a counter-clockwise loop), things were fine for a while.  Once past the actual Redback Mine, conditions went downhill (literally and figuratively) pretty quickly.  The blazes were few and far between (and almost invisible anyway because of the dull "magenta" color on them).  In particular, trail turns were all-too-frequently not obvious to me (e.g., where the Redback Trail leaves the Alice Mine Rd to begin the descent to the McKeags Meadow Trail).   Missing turn signals occurred several more times along the route.  In addition, there was one section of the trail (near the northeast corner of McKeags Meadow), where the whole area was overgrown with barberry bushes, and it took quite a while to figure out where the trail was (boy, was I glad to be wearing heavy jeans!).  The bottom line of the day's experience was that the Redback Trail is not really ready for general use, needing not only better signage, but also trail-clearing maintenance.
johnm's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/17/2011 - 8:03pm
Valid comments.  Writing as the Trail Conference volunteer responsible for the trails in the West Hudson South Region, we agree fully with your comments, submitting of which provides a service to other potential users.  As Sterling Forest State Park is only about 10 years old, it is still being developing.  Several years ago the Park blazed the Red Back Trail, but it was dropped as a sanctioned trail while a trail plan was being developed.  Consequently it was  subsequently removed from our maps.  Only as the 2011 edition went to press, (following coordination with the park), was the trail newly approved. We were aware that the trail needed work, but to be accurate and up to date it was added to the map.  Perhaps the status at this time would be better described as sanctioned rather than maintained. The Trail Conference maintains just over half of the trails in Sterling Forest, and to date this is not one of them. We expect to achieve within days an understanding with the Park that is satisfactory for us to accept assignment of this trail, following which we will bring its condition up to standard.   This will include everything that you so accurately mentioned. The parking access, which remains signed as Hunter's Seasonal Parking (to be changed),  was rough and deteriorated further over the winter and spring.  The park is aware of this.  It is my belief that parking is legal if totally off of South Gate Road and not blocking access to the park entrance: I have parked in that manner repeatedly without consequence.  Upon fairly recent observation, I found the magenta markings leading both clockwise and counter clockwise from the gate at the upper end of the parking area.  However, it could be improved.  You did well to follow the trail; in fact I suggest for others that at this time it would be more difficult to follow in the clockwise direction.   Rather an aside, I question your naming the one (good) woods/mine road as the Alice Mine Road- I am unaware of such name or a mine of that name in the vicinity. Thanks for your thorough comments.
LindaC's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/14/2011 - 2:48pm
I took the Long Path from Route 6 up to the Torrey Memorial and then out to 293.  A beautiful hike even on this very cloudy day.   I have two questions though. First - is about the new parking area on Route 293 right by Barnes Lake.  It's not shown on any of the Trail Conference Maps but on the electronic guide to the Long Path it's listed as a legitimate parking.  http://www.nynjtc.org/book/7-us-route-6-woodbury Has anyone ever used this parking space?  It was completely empty today.   Second - There is an old woods road - blazes are blacked out - that comes in on the left hand side almost directly across from the terminus of the Popolopen Gorge trail right before the ascent of Long Mountain.  It ends right after the long path has descended from Long Mountain.  It seems like it would be a nice bypass of the the steep ascent and descent of Long Mountain if the weather was inclement.  Is there a reason why the Trail Conference is discouraging use of this trail?  
jakobfranke's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/19/2011 - 3:31pm
Glad you enjoyed the hike, and thanks for the comment about the parking. As far as I know it is completely legitimate to park in the area between Rte 293 and Barnes Lake. I've used it myself. I guess we simply forgot to put it on our maps, and will add it in future editions. Feedback is important! Concerning the old road around Long Mountain: to my knowledge we are not discouraging its use, and it is shown as a woods road on our maps. Quite a few people make a short loop hike by going over Long Mountain and returning on that woods road. Apparently the park management does not want us to blaze and/or maintain it as a trail.  
johnm's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/26/2011 - 11:29pm
Concerning the old road arond Long Mountain: I would like to clarify somewhat the encouragement or discouragement of use of this road.  The Trail Conference is very careful with separately identifying on the trail maps the maintained trails, the unmaintained trails, and woods roads.  Only paths approved by the park can be blazed, and this woods road is not an approved trail. We do not encourage the use of any but Maintained Trails.   Also, we, or anyone else, are not allowed to clear other than maintained trails.  On the back of our map we note (excerpted): "Park regulations provide that 'no person shall use other than trails, roads and other ways established and provided for public use [by the Park].'"  This statement is found in the New York State Parks Rules and Regulations.  (A few paths identified as ski trails, most of which are not marked, possibly fall within the "established ways" category). 
Elie Bijou's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/02/2011 - 9:56pm
Catskill 3500 Club went to do its Annual Spring maintenance of these two peaks.  Trails were cleared of debris, save for large blowdowns, waterbars were cleaned and the brambles from Hurricane Floyd were in check.  There are patches of snow at the summits, nothing that one would require snowshoes or traction devices.  Next week the club will do lean-to maint on its adopted leanto's on Hunter (John Robb) and Table (Bouton Memorial) Mts.     Elie Bijou Trails Chair Catskill 3500 Club
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/20/2011 - 3:18pm
Hello all, Does anyone have current info on conditions for a hike to Balsam Lake Mountain firetower this week, sometime between April 21 and April 24th? Planning to hike from the Beaverkill Rd trailhead using the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. Thanks, Ira
msedlak's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/20/2011 - 4:41pm
The following may be of some help to you: http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/showthread.php?t=14553 And you may want to search other areas in that forum as well. Hope thi helps, BandannaMan
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/21/2011 - 10:43pm
Thanks again, BandannaMan! I hiked the route today from Beaver Kill Rd, to summits of Graham and Balsam Lake Mountains.  Having read the postings as per your suggestions, I was quite prepared for the conditions: wet, muddy and still some significant snow as the higher elevations of each peak were reached.  It actually snowed lightly a few times.  Snowshoes weren't quite needed now, although they were brought along just in case. Thanks again, Ira
msedlak's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/22/2011 - 9:15am
Hey, that's great - congratulations!  Two of the 39 CATSKILL 3500 peaks in one outing and in not so excellent conditions.  Did you carry your snowshoes / crampons the whole way? I (happily) carried my snowshoes the whole way up Panther back in February - I was very lucky not to need them - the trail was well packed.  Those two peaks are still on my "to do" list though.  I am 18/39 for that list.  Maybe I'll see you up in the CATs some day - happy trekking.
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/22/2011 - 10:33pm
Yes, the snowshoes were clipped to the pack.  A few areas on the unmaintained trail to Graham, as well as on the northern approach to Balsam Lake Mtn, could have used the snowshoes, but the sections were never long enough to bother with.  There was usually a hardpacked median of snow to walk on.  Met 2 other solo hikers who concurred with this; they each were carrying their snowshoes as well!  A mostly overcast day, with the sun and blue sky joining us every once in a while.  Very windy on both summits.  Most trail sections gave protection from this, or were not windy.  The southfacing trail from the BL Mt. lean-to, back to Beaver Kill Rd had no snow at all! All in all, a great day. Thanks again; yes, hope to run into you on the trail! Ira
irakocivar's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/21/2011 - 12:53am
Thanks, BandannaMan! Your suggestion has been quite helpful.   Ira
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/20/2011 - 9:21am
Hi - I was looking to do a loop from Elk Pen around Island Pond tomorrow - something like this one:   http://njhiking.com/best-hikes-lemon-squeezer-appalachian-trail.php   Anyone have any updates or info on the conditions?   Thanks
LindaC's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/22/2011 - 5:59am
I was by the Lemon Squeezer last Saturday.  I managed to squeeze in a LP/AT loop before all the rain started.  There was no ice or snow left at all but the trail was certainly soggy in places.  Lemon squeezer is a lot of fun and quite popular.  Last weekend was the only time I think I ever had the place to myself.  Enjoy.  
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/22/2011 - 8:44am
thank you - my father and I were there yesterday - it was quite nice - I think we saw 7 or 8 other people all day - a few soggy spots here and there but nothing to speak of at all - it was first time to Harriman - I loved the diversity on this hike - trails are very clearly marked and maintained - can't wait to come back and show my wife this one :)
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/20/2011 - 8:54am
I did a loop at Abram Hewitt on 4/16/11 - from Greenwood lake marina blue stateline trail to yellow - hit surprise lake to white bear foot ridge trail to orange quail/jeremy glick back to yellow then blue.   A couple of things - the intersection with the white bearfoor ridge trail is very easy to miss - i missed it and kept going down yellow to the ernest walter trail - then backtracked to find white - the white blazes on bearfoot ridge trail can be easy to miss - most important the orange was very wet with multiple stream crossings - one was very tough and would not be for everyone - at one point i took my shoes and socks off and crossed that way - the blazes on orange were very far apart and at one point basically non existent - the trail was a bit hard to follow - however, the forest was georgeous and it was a great day - just be prepared for some wet conditions and areas where the trail is not so visible
WawayandaEast's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/09/2011 - 11:02pm
     Trail conditions have improved greatly since april. This winter left an amazing amount of snow on Bearfort ridge and the surrounding mountains. The heavy rains that followed flooded the unique topography of the area.   Some of these flooding issues were temporary and unavoidable. Others are being investigated. Any detailed information is apprceated. Blazing has also improved. The bearfort ridge is halfway redone and the blue connector trail has new blazes.  The quail trail had some temporary metal tags put up until more permenant blazing could be established. The marker for the begining of the BRT at the E.Walter is on a rock, as are many in the area, due to the uniqueness of the fauna.
neil's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 07/11/2011 - 1:33pm
thanks - I went back to Bearfoot ridge recently and you are right - blazing is improved and the trail was much clearer and drier.  I was there with my wife and she was making fun of me based on difficulty I had described in the past ;)  It was a great hike and I was glad things were a little clearer the second time around.