Four Mountains Loop In Harriman Hike

I love this hike in Harriman, New York. You are going to go through 4 mountains. The mountains are not that high though which makes this hike somewhat easy. There are lots of different views from lakes, to cliff side views, mini caves, and so on. I love the plant life as well. You are going to go through Dater Mountain, Pound Mountain, Black Ash Mountain and Parker Cabin Mountain. The trail will take you up and down for the first half. After Parker Cabin Mountain, the trails are mostly flat. If you have a hard time on the first half, the second half is not going to be that hard.

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Four Mountains Loop Important Information

Trail Map: Trail Map 1
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1000 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: No

Trail Breakdown
Blue Trail To Almost Perpendicular – 1 mile
Blue Trail To Claudius Smith Den – 1.5 miles
Blue Trail To Red Trail – 1 miles
Red Trail To Parker Cabin Mountain – 1.5 mile
Yellow Trail To Lake Skemoto – 1 mile
Yellow Trail To Lake Sebago – 0.5 miles
Yellow Trail To White Trail – 1 miles
White Trail To Parking Lot – 1.5 miles

Link: https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/2249373248

Note: The information is just an approximation.

Parking

41.179888, -74.163968

 

Start Of The Hike

Once you get bitten by the hiking bug, there is no antidote for its poison. You will end up hiking tall mountains, through the snow, in the harsh climates, and travel around the world as your body craves for beautiful places. I have been happily bitten by it for years now. I want to see beautiful skies with lots of fluffy white clouds, have my boots stepped on mud, ground, rocks, snow and every terrain imaginable, feel the cool wind hitting my body, have the skin on my fingers scraped against coarse rocks, and taste the fresh air that the mountains have to offer.

As the poison course through my veins, I find myself here at a trailhead, about to embark on another journey, to dazzle my senses, and satiate my hunger for adventure.

 

Blue Trail

My boots happily stepped along the old beaten path, as the light from the morning sun showered the vibrant green leaves its rays, as some of it penetrated all the way to the ground. The interlacing of shadow and light moving around in all the corners of my eye was very beautiful while the birds from different species sang their loveliest of all melodies, with the hum of insects mixing in their tune, the air was cool, and the forest gave us a very comfortable feeling, as if it was enticing us to enjoy and hike on this beautiful day.

Yet, something did not feel right while walking on this trail, an ominous feeling that things are not what they seemed to be.

 

Blue Trail Ascending

The atmosphere turned awry as the light of the sun slowly faded and we faced a steep incline towards the view point. The footpath was covered in dirt, soil and various rocks of all sizes. They were firm and stable, giving me relief that there will be no loose rocks that would fall on my group members. I dropped on all fours, hoping to get more balance, as I gripped onto various rocks for leverage, their rough and cool surface sent shivers to my body through my fingertips as I tried to get to the top as fast as possible.

 

I could hear the excessive and deep breathing coming from my group members, and saw the heaviness of how they strike their foot towards the ground as if they were forcing themselves to get up. I held out my hand offering to help as we all try to get to the top.

 

Almost Perpendicular

The impending doom crept in on the lush green leaves of the forest as the once beautiful and bright sun was engulfed by a flurry of dark clouds. A mighty storm had been brewing, and its rage could be felt by the howling winds swirling around us. The trees shook in fear as they moved back and forth from the sheer force of nature’s breath. I refused to cower in fear as I sat on the edge of a cliff, watching in delight at the sheer magnificence of nature. The darkness petrified all the animals, and the flurry of the growling winds made them flee to their homes in terror.

 

There was a sense of urgency and worry as I looked at my group members, hiking in the rain is not an enjoyable experience for some. It often means wet socks, soaking wet clothes, people drenched in a lot of water and no way to enjoy a view point. However, any doubt or concern quickly left my body as I was just mesmerized at how the clouds were forming at the top of me. They were being forced to move by the fierce wind that was also trying to push and pull my body. I tried to calm my group members and said “everything will be okay”, while secretly hoping and wishing that the dark clouds would go away.

 

In front of us was an ocean of green trees as far as my eyes could see, it waved and rustled at the howling winds that made contact with its leaves. I waited for my group members to have their fill at taking pictures as I sat at an edge of a cliff just in awe at how magnificent and powerful nature could be. A tiny drop of rain hit my pants as it made a round spot on my pants darker, a good signal that it was time to go.

Almost perpendicular was a pretty large view point in Dater mountain with various ledges, cliff side views and places to sit. There were lots of good angles for photographers and I could stay here for a while just trying to discover all of them.

 

Blue Trail

It was a trail flatter than I had imagined with a few very short inclines and declines, with short grasses sprouting everywhere I looked. We gladly sank to the depths of the forest, excited for more scenery, and adventures to come. Even without the light from the sun, this forest seemed so nice and comforting.

 

The trees were very wide apart, giving us space and freedom to move and the green leaves would glow in a bright yellowish green whenever the sun peeked for a few seconds. The chilly air surrounded us, cooling our bodies while giving back our energies as we walked through the trail.

 

Elbow Brush

The path to Elbow brush was a series of big rocks that were covered in dirt or soil with a few places where the soil was eroded by the wind or perhaps by water. At the end was a tiny narrow path, where people have to squeeze in order to get through. Some of my group members decided to skip the elbow brush and went around it but as for me, I thought I should try it at least once.

 

I positioned my body sideways, with my backpack brushing against the walls, a crunchy sound came from the dried leaves that were scattered on the ground with each and every step that I made. No one goes into this place judging from the amount of leaves on the ground, I guessed. I was out of the place in just a few seconds, and really didn’t feel much excitement out of the rock formation. Perhaps my expectations were a little too high to begin with.

 

Claudius Smith Den Bottom

The silence was deafening that I could hear my heart beating faster. Sometimes fear vanishes, as my blood boil in excitement, the feeling of adrenaline coursing through my veins engulfed my whole being, nothing else in my mind but to conquer this mountain. I grabbed one outcrop after another, my body climbing higher and higher, moving from one big rock to the next. The cold fierce wind licked my tired body, and blew the sweat away from my skin. I sat on a protruding rock to take a rest as thoughts flooded my mind. Thoughts about hiking, and how much it changed my life since I learned about it. It is funny how the simple things in life can create a small ripple that will radiate outwards throughout your lifetime.

 

To the right of the rock I was sitting on was a crevice, or small cave, curiosity took over as we all decided to explore it. At the end, to my surprise was the red trail that we followed in the beginning. We went back in looking for a way up, and there at the top of the cave, was a big crack we could slip into. I reached out as far as I could, gripped a tiny protruding rock with my fingers, barely holding on, I placed my foot on a rock around my knees. I pushed my body upwards till I slipped into the crack. From there, it was easy getting to the top of Claudius Smith Den.

 

Note: To get to the bottom of Claudius Smith Den, I needed to take a left when I see the red trail. If I kept following the blue, it will take me to the top of it.

 

The bottom of Claudius Smith Den was a small cave formation, with various graffiti on the walls, a smooth rock surface where people can sleep, and a man made fireplace built from various stones on the ground could be seen. It appeared to be a great place to spend the night, a natural lean-to that campers could camp out in. The walls could serve as protection from the wind, rain and various weather elements. The small cave was dimly lit that taking a good selfie or picture inside proved to be rather difficult.

 

Claudius Smith Den Top

The bold wind came to us so fiercely, tousling my hair, and flapping my shirt around. The clouds looked angry, and there was hostility written all over the wind that came our way. At this point in time, my group members have gained a lot of courage, or they just couldn’t care less anymore. We dropped our backpacks on the ground, took out our lunches, and had a long lunch break.

 

The wind howled and howled with all its might but all my group members could hear were laughter as everyone was joking around and having a good time. There were smiles in everyone’s faces, and the scent of deliciously sweet foods saturated the air. We all ate our lunches, took our time, and enjoyed everyone’s company.

 

Blue Trail

The sun glimpsed through the dark clouds, its light burst through the cracks from the leaves on the top, illuminating the once dark and gloomy place, creating various hues of green all around us. The plants twinkle and sparkle as they intermingle with the beautiful rays of the sun. There was a soft glow that emanated from the forest, a vibrant aura of light filled with life, as if the whole forest was rejoicing at the sight of the celestial sun. Every rock, dirt, and plant that I could see was shimmering in this mysterious glow, as it also affected my senses, going straight to my heart, creating a sense of appreciation for the beauty and elegance of nature and a feeling that I was safe in this place as if this forest was my home away from home.

 

Blue Pine Hill

Blue pine hill was a quick ascent up and quick descent down. The incline or slope wasn’t that bad.

 

Note: I have a choice whether to pick the red trail or white trail to get to Parker cabin mountain. Red trail is harder, white trail is easier. I like the red trail.

 

Red Trail Or White Trail

*this shot was taken in the Fall

High and unfriendly, the slope of the red trail was very unforgiving. The incline greeted us right from the start, an elevation gain of maybe around 400 or more. My group members tired from Blue Pine Hill tried their very best to walk upwards. I looked around at my group members, each step they made was filled with misery, each breath was deep and fast, and their head glistening in sweat. They plunged their hiking sticks straight to the ground, using a lot of their arms to carry themselves upwards.

 

Sweet and flat, the white trail was a pleasant walk in nature with beautiful short green grass, shrubs, and soft soil that greeted us in the footpath. ‘Spring Beauty’ is what they called these flowers that bloomed on the side of the path, and they sure did look very beautiful. It felt like I was walking on someone else garden with every step that I made. At the end of the garden footpath were cables from towers that seemed to be hanging low. I didn’t know whether they were live or contained electricity as I decided to bushwack to the side and go around them rather than jumping over them.

 

Parker Cabin Mountain

My group members trudged on as we ascended the trail towards Parker Cabin Mountain. It was a short but still an arduous incline and my group members were already very tired. We took a few minutes of rest but still, the ascent was very antagonistic towards us. Each step that I heard were full of anguish, and I could hear groans and moans from my exasperated group members. As our energy decreased, our will power seemed to have increased, as a few sprinted to the top in a thrilling rush, then collapsed right at the view point. Tired with no energy left, they just stayed there, lying down on the ground with big smiles on their faces.

 

Maddening winds of various degrees of power, growled at us indiscriminately. Wild and free flowing, cool and forceful, the mighty winds made the trees bow, and the birds flee in terror. I stood on top of a square rock, watching the green woodland kneel down in fear. Nature seems to be in disarray, and there was distress in the air. The atmosphere was grim, as if a storm would come our way, cry out and drench us with tears, and ruin the day that we decided to go hiking.

 

I turned around and looked at my group members, to my surprised, they were all lying down, and sleeping. Perhaps the fatigue has consumed their bodies to the point that these powerful winds were nothing more than air conditioners or fans that will help keep them comfortable while they were sleeping.

 

Note: To get to the yellow trail, I kept going North while paying attention to my right. It will be there.

 

Yellow Trail

At the start of the yellow trail was a steep descent as all my group members were crouching and crawling downwards, using their hands to get down safely. At the bottom was a huge tree, uprooted, and dead. It made me wonder, what kind of storm or how powerful the winds have to be in order to uproot such a big tree from the ground? A powerful storm must have been here, and this tree was one of its casualties. We stood on top of the tree, trying to balance ourselves, then we all decided to take a group picture before going on our way.

 

There was something beautiful about this forest compared to others, and I could not capture it with my camera no matter how hard I tried. It was elusive in a way. The solemn light from the sun, fighting with all its might to shine through the dark clouds, igniting the green forest and all plant life around me.

 

There was a sense of freedom in the footpath as the trees were very far apart from each other, and it was like I was walking on sacred ground as the light of the sun illuminated the path that I should take. It was as if nature was talking to me in its own way and saying sweet words such as “I love you”.

 

Lake Skenonto

It was a garden of wildflowers encircling a lake, a multitude of blueberry shrubs, and what seems to be thousands of wild water lilies sprouting on the surface of the water. The flowers were mostly red and pink, if I had to guessed, maybe they were called “dames rocket”. There was beauty in those flowers, there was beauty in the scenery, and I was sure that all of these were seasonal. I was just there at the right time and place to appreciate them all.

 

*shot in the Fall

Note: There was a set of rocks or ledge where I could sit to look at the lake or be side by side to it. Not in the map though.

 

Lake Sebago

The last view in my agenda was Lake Sebago. It was not the most beautiful view of the lake as it was just a tiny opening, and the angles were not very good as well. But it is a good place to take a break, make sure that everyone was together, no one was lost, and everyone had enough energy to go on.

 

White Trail To Parking Lot

*this shot was taken in the Fall

The white trail was mostly flat, nothing really interesting that popped out in my view. Just a long continuous flat trail but I took people here in the Fall as well, and there was this tree that looked out of this world.

At the left of the footpath was this tree that already shed all of its leaves, it looked dead, and lifeless as an Autumn tree can be. Yet, a parasitic vine clung to its branches, and it spread through out the base as well. Bright green circular leaves sprung out from the vine, and decorated almost every branch that the vine clung itself onto. It was as if the vine sucked the life force out of the tree while flourishing itself.

 

At the right of the footpath were a series of trees almost planted in a somewhat linear fashion. Their lifeless barren branches reached out to the left as if the trees will sprout or open their two eyes, uproot their roots and move towards the footpath, in order to capture the people passing by. The eerily looking afternoon sun showered the landscape with a dull yellow light, giving the scenery a bizarre and creepy atmosphere as if I was in another planet or in Mars, or in some sort of horror story.

 

Harriman State Park was very beautiful and a great place to hike. I had a great time, and I know that all the people I took here liked this trail as well. Hopefully, we can all take care of nature enough that future generations can enjoy this beautiful park as well.

 

 

For More Hikes

For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best New Jersey Hikes Or Best New York City Hikes.