This is not me. This is a picture from www.blog.hillmap.com.
Seized with the urge to hike to the top of something, and with the weather moody and mercurial, I thought I’d jog up Anthony’s Nose this afternoon. Good plan.
It didn’t take ten minutes to realize this was a hike I’d have to foresake due to the ice, hiding under the thinnest coating of today’s snowfall. I walked back along the edge of the highway to my car, and decided on a different trail, something less tilted and more traveled.
The snow that covers Harriman today — and probably for the rest of the week — is nothing like a blanket. it’s like a windshield on the inclines, and on the flats, it’s like stepping along a steely car hood. When it’s wet, and slippery. I fell on my can in the parking area off Perkins Memorial Drive, then I called it a day.
Snow in Harriman’s undergone a dangerous mutation. It melted a little, then refroze. You don’t know if you’ll punch through a ragged crust, or trip over a jutting shard of frozen snow. Old boot prints are traps.
If you’re heading out to hike Harriman this week, I’d suggest you bring, at the least, YakTrax for valley hiking (where the snow gets little light), and crampons for anything going uphill. Poles ,and a phone, too. There are people out there doing it, even now. But they’re prepared.
Yes, I wanted to try to take a hike up a trail this pass weekend on the long path. There was some existing footprints so I could manage, but barely. They they disappeared for 30 yards and came back. The wind in different sections completely covered the tracks. They there were gone for good. I found I could craw better than walk, but is this really hiking? I got to the top of the first rise and decided it was not a good idea. Going down was much easier. I will try again this weekend.
Crawling is not hiking! Hi, Gary.
we are doing just fine on the ice with our kahtoola microspikes or hillsound trail crampons. but traction aids are a necessity. snowshoes can be either helpful or not so depending on the snow conditions. we did a lot of fabulous xc skiing until the refreeze after the melt last week.
forgot to mention–lake welch drive is now closed to xc skiing. some paternalistic liability fearing park official decided to put up signs that there is NO XC SKIING on lake welch drive so that the snowmobiles could reign. one ranger said “its for your safety”. now i dont mind snowmobiles. they do a great job of laying good xc ski track for those of us with dogs who are not allowed on the groomed trails. we respect them, they respect us. no problem. but now the officials are being testy. they have apparently opened lot 2 for xc skiers, might go check that out tomorrow…not sure what the xc options are from there tho,,will let u know
Hey Susan: How are you? I think a nice XC route would be along the closed section of 106, just past the Kanawauke parking/picnic area. Also, the Anthony Wayne parking lot “2” – the furthest one — is closed and unploughed, so that’s a possible. I’ll wait to hear from you — you know Harriman better than just about anyone, I think…
Hey Susan And other Harriman veterans –
I’ve got a family of hikers/snow-shoers. We were going to try the Welsh Trail this weekend.
Bad idea? And if not, what should we have with us? Yaktraks? Crampons? Both? Poles?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated…
– Kyle
Hi Kyle: I’m so sorry I missed this post. I have to admit that there are others who know the Welch Trail better than me but it is steep, and I’m sure you found out (if you did the hike) that you’d need crampons for that one (and poles).
Did you go? How’d it go?
Hey Suzy!
I had a similar experience a few weeks back, but since I grabbed some Kathoola microspikes I’ve had no problems whatsoever. These things are an absolute MUST for winter hiking. Combined with poles, I hiked the ridge above Jones Point to the Timp, and had total confidence in every step I took… from packed snow, to solid ice, to even wet leaves…I didn’t slip once! Remarkably, they grip firmly to rock as well (I expected to scrape and slide on them). The only annoying part of the hike was when my foot would crush through an inevitable deep drift, which left me up to my thighs in crusty snow. I’m bringing my snowshoes up this coming weekend to take on and off as needed!
FYI… you can find ’em at REI or online:
http://www.amazon.com/Kahtoola-MICROspikes-Traction-System-Small/dp/B0010RHW4Y
Hi Justin: Thanks for that tip! I’ll plan on picking up a pair of those spikes and trying them out before the thaw (I’m sure EMS/REI will love you for posting that info!). I’d still be nervous taking on the Timp but that’s me (chicken).
One day we’ll have to see if EMS will give an equipment demonstration at Harriman…
Thanks, Justin.
Hi Susy, love your pics and the blog! I’m in love with Harriman and have been for some time. My friends barely laugh anymore when I tell them I’m going to visit my girlfriend, HSP. 🙂 Refreshing to see such an updated site. And also that the harsh winter is not scaring everyone away – as you know it could be the most beautiful time of year. Enjoy the endless discovery, Ron
Hey Ron: Thanks for the note! Yes, she’s a gentle mistress, even in winter! But I have to admit, I like the spring and fall best of all. “Endless discovery” says it all — I think you could spend a lifetime getting to know Harriman, and still not know all there is to know about it (or, “her”). Thanks Ron!