by kennykb » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:54 pm
North-South Lake... all three of us suggested that one! (SNEAKers suggested clockwise and I suggested counter-clockwise, that's the only real difference in the hikes.) It only gets strenuous if you push on past Badman Cave. The last quarter mile up to North Point is pretty steep.
Although - what do you consider to be "easy", "moderate", "strenuous?" I'm remembering from last summer a couple of hikers from New Jersey being quite shocked at what Catskill hikers consider "easy." He was doing WHP from Route 23 and was astonished that the guidebook called that route "easy." Have we done hikes in common? If you're a Long Island hiker, you've probably done some trails in Harriman. Would you consider the ascent up from Island Pond up to the top of Island Pond Mountain through the Lemon Squeezer "easy," "moderate," or "difficult?" What about West Mountain from Anthony Wayne? Bear Mountain by any other route than the steps? (Or name something there and tell me what you thought. I've probably done it. I've hiked most of the Harriman trails at one time or another. I used to be a Long Islander myself.)
By the way, if you haven't done West Mountain in Harriman, it meets your specs of a short round trip and a nice view. But I'm not sure that it would fall under your definition of 'easy.' Almost Perpendicular is another nice overlook, and that one *is* fairly easy. My daughter managed it at about 8. There was one scramble where she needed a boost. Or the Jackie Jones fire tower in Harriman is worth a visit. It's got good views of both Lake Welch and the Hudson. It's at worst 'moderate' by my standards.
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