Hike Reviews

February 22, 2020
4
Silvermine Lake Loop (02/22/2020)
erijonesie
Beautiful hike for a mild winter day, bring your waterproof boots. If you like the Sterling Forest Lake Loop this is a good alternative to mix things up. The parking lot is huge and has restrooms, woohoo!
July 04, 2018
4
Beautiful but Be Careful
sh3l8y
Beautiful hike but due to a recent storm there were many down trees on the path so be careful! Also I am sure there was a path to cross the damn but in the dark and with the down trees we couldn't see it and almost got seriously injured. Please be cautious and I recommend only doing this during the light hours. Otherwise perfect length and moderate difficulty.
July 05, 2016
0
Very nice short hike
fdeflaviis
<p>thank you Mr. Chazin for the great descripton. Hiked my first overnight solo here in early July. Lots of people by the lake and several AT hikers around the shelter, which was actually empty. I saw deer and a garter snake (scare the h#$l out of me as it slithered across my path). At times the trail is very narrow and surrounded by a thicket of mountain laurel (i have missed the bloom unfortunately). One note, be sure to bring plenty of water as the brooks are likely going to be dry or very stagnant so even water filtration is not a good idea. there is no water source around the shelter (normal in Harriman i hear). Exept for a steep rocky climb where Menomine meets the AT, the hike is pretty easy.</p>
July 04, 2016
0
Beautiful hike, additional suggestion
HudsonRiverGuy
<p>I hiked this loop July 3, 2016. Markings were all good. Thanks to the volunteers for the markings and a well-maintained trail. Nice views of the lake at both ends of the hike. One suggestion: Rather than turn left at the Silvermine Road, continue on the AT/RD for less than five mintues and you'll be treated to a beautiful overlook of the lake. It is a little steep, but well worth it.&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-size: 12.16px;">Also, to avoid walking on 7 Lakes drive, veer left toward the lake when the road starts to veer to the right away from the lake. It's not eactly a trail, but it will bring you to a place just below the dam where you can cross the creek, walk over the dam, and follow a road back to the parking lot.&nbsp;</span></p>
June 12, 2016
0
Mountain Laurel Blooms in June
glennagrube
<p>We were fortunate to time our hike when the mountain laurel groves were in full bloom. &nbsp;In some places the trail was a fragrant tunnel through the laurel. &nbsp;Views of the lake were pleasant, too, and were the only views on this loop.</p> <p>We found the directions to be right on, well described and true. &nbsp;Could see why there might be confusion at the Brien shelter, but I would clarify that the yellow Menomine trail passes right in front of the face of the shelter, after which one should look left carefully to see the stone steps rising in the rocky slope.</p> <p>One minor disappointment with this loop was finishing with 10 minutes walk on the shoulder of Seven Lakes Drive. &nbsp;Seems like it should not be hard to blaze a trail that connects back to the Silvermine parking lot without using the Drive. &nbsp;We saw some orange marker tape tied off on some trees as if someone tried to mark out a trail - though we did not follow those markers.</p> <p>We stopped for a break and moved a bit slower than average, completing the hike in about 2 3/4 hours.</p>
October 25, 2015
0
Wonderful hike
sr393
<p>I am a city person terrified of getting lost in the woods and dying of exposure. (Seriously.) Keeping this in mind, I thought this was a wonderful hike. My friend (a city person who is terrified of not being physically capable) and I had no problems along this hike at all. The directions are completely clear and very easy to follow. A few times we stopped to verify we were going the right way, and of course we brought a trail map, but mostly we focused on enjoyed nature. I highly recommed this hike as a perfect blend of physcial activity, lovely views, and relaxing solitude. Thank you so much for posting it here.</p>
October 13, 2015
0
SilverMine
Ferne
<p>Hiked this trail Oct. 12, 2015. I would add one hour for average hiker who stops, takes breaks, photos, etc.makes this a three hour hike. Walking poles and good footwear are recommended as the trail is a bit rocky. I can see where confusion occurs at the shelter. The AT/RD trail is to the left about fifty feet beyond the shelter to the left up the rocky outcropping right behind the shelter. Look carefully for the trail blazes among the trees to the left. Then up you go. Do not walk away from the rocky outcropping. Do not follow the yellow blaze. It took me several minutes to locate the right tail.</p> <p>The old silver mine road is fairly easy to spot. At the bottom of the descent is the road with stone abutments. An obvious ascent is directly opposite. Also advise buying a map from the trail conference and printing the trail description.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Good hiking</p>
August 20, 2014
0
Directions are correct; trails are well marked
Daniel Chazin
<p>In light of the two comments that appear below, I decided today to check the hike out. &nbsp;I found that my description was entirely correct, and that all of the trails are marked reasonably well. &nbsp;As the hike description makes clear, Silvermine Road is not marked, but it is an obvious road at the base of a long descent and right before a steep climb on the A.T./R-D. &nbsp;Anyone who carefully follows the directions should not get lost. &nbsp;I should also mention that one should always take along a map when going on a hike. &nbsp;Even though I have done this hike a number of times and could easily follow it without either map or directions, I made a point of taking a map along with me today. &nbsp;I strongly urge everyone else to do likewise.</p>
August 18, 2014
0
Not Marked Well - Bring a Map
<p>My friend and I went off the path accidentally even though we had this website's directions.&nbsp; We followed the white and white with red cross and red dot and ended up at the Palisades Parkway near the visitor center.&nbsp; After the steep uphill climb make sure you look for the dirt road referred to as Silvermine.&nbsp;</p> <p>the way we went was strenuous and very rocky so not suited for a begiinner nor pets.&nbsp; The views at the top are pretty nice so all was not lost (even thought we were)!</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>
August 18, 2014
0
marked poorly
malone
<p>This was not marked very well.&nbsp; We walked by the shelter and continued on the yellow trail, where we should have turned left onto the white / red dot.&nbsp; we realized it after about .5 miles or further, the yellow trail just stops so we back traced to the shelter.&nbsp; BUT we did not find "Silvermine Road" and ended up on Palisades Parkway.&nbsp; We did not want to go back as was getting late and got a ride back to our car (lucky).&nbsp; So anyone hiking this trail, please note to turn left at the shelter and there is NO marking for Silvermine Road.&nbsp;&nbsp;Other than that was a nice hike, had some elevation, a few spots with fabulous views (thought that could have been past the turnoff so part of another trail).</p>
October 19, 2013
0
Trail is marked correctly; you missed the turn
Daniel Chazin
<p>If you saw "a white marker with a red cross," you obviously missed the turn onto the AT/R-D at the Brien Memorial Shelter and continued on the Menomine Trail to its terminus at the Red Cross Trail.&nbsp; You then must have headed east on the Red Cross Trail to the Palisades Interstate Parkway.&nbsp; A friend of mine who did this hike just a week ago reported that the blazing is just fine and that he had no trouble following the hike as described.&nbsp; The description makes it clear that you encounter the white A.T. blazes and the red-on-white R-D blazes about 50 feet beyond the shelter.&nbsp; Even if you missed them at first, you should have looked more carefully, rather than proceeding on the Memomine Trail for another 0.7 mile to the Red Cross Trail</p>
October 15, 2013
0
Trail mismarked
slewis
<p>The trail was not marked correctly.&nbsp; We could not locate the white / red and white markers.&nbsp; Since we did not see those and instead saw a white marker with a red cross, we followed that marker, assuming it must be what the description meant.&nbsp; That resulted in us being lost, ending up near the highway and having to backtrack our hike.&nbsp; We looked for the markers when we returned and did not see them.&nbsp; Please fix or advise where they are.&nbsp; Thanks.</p>
August 15, 2013
0
Good trail
Sully
<p>Did this trail yesterday and it was a nice little workout.</p> <p>Was a little disappointed with the "Rock Scramble" since it was basically just climbing over a few rocks.</p> <p>But the trail was accurately marked and I will do this one again sometime.</p>
June 09, 2013
0
Tons of ticks in the area
brooklyn
<p>Went on this hike of 6/9/2013, the route is nice, trail sometimes a bit steep, however, a huge downer is the fact that the area is infested with ticks. Whoever goes on this hike with a dog, carefuly examine each inch of your pet's skin and remove these suckers as soon as you are done hiking. Some of them a VERY small here (2-3mm). some are regular size. My dogs had frontline applied a couple of week ago, so most of those I found were already dead, but there many that were still moving in the coat. I found 15-20 ticks on each of my dogs. Personally, will rather go elsewhere next time</p>
April 08, 2013
0
Going back, for sure
evan.molho
<p>The description is very accurate.</p> <p>Varied terrain (woods, lake, streams, bridges, scrambles, views, etc.) keep the hike interesting and we look forward to returning. No doubt that our experience hiking the trail on an early Spring day will be much different than the same hike in the lush days of Summer and the colorful days of Autumn.&nbsp;</p> <p>We also enjoyed that a section of the hike is on the AT.</p> <p>--</p> <p>Note: 25 MPH is the speed limit on Seven Lakes Drive between 17 and the park entrance and that stretch of road is closely monitored by the Sloatsburg police so be very cautious.&nbsp;</p>
July 25, 2012
0
Nice circuit
karnablem
<p>.. I added a short go on black mountain, following the A.T. up to Spanish Mine. Benefit : a nice outlook on Silvermine Lake (which I think was missing in the described hike) plus a gorgeous view on the Hudson River and Manahttan skylin in the far. Quite steep though, and adding about 40 minutes to the hike.</p> <p>Thanks for the description !</p> <p>A hiker from France</p> <p>Laurent</p>
October 06, 2011
0
I took this hike yesterday.
Chad
<p>I took this hike yesterday. &nbsp;It's a great hike with lots of variety in terrain. &nbsp;The first part of the hike is on very swampy terrain, so there's lots of hopping from rock to rock to avoid the many impromptu streams. &nbsp;The scramble up the big rock by the shelter could present a problem for novice hikers, which is why I consider this probably a moderate to difficult hike. &nbsp;</p> <p>The description above is very accurate and easy to follow. &nbsp;Thanks for posting this hike. &nbsp;It was my first at Harriman...one of many, I hope. &nbsp;</p>