Bear Clues & Bowling Rocks: Back to Blogging
- Marlon Smith
- Aug 9
- 4 min read
Blog by Marlon Smith / Hike Live Love Adventures & Urban and Outdoor Survival
Harriman State Park, NY
Photos by Explore Harriman [Hike held on July 26,2025]
It's been some time since we’ve blogged but WE ARE BACK!
On this particular morning, taking Seven Lakes Drive, it was windows down and clean, sweet air. The plan: meet up with our group at Lake Skannatati.
Heading north on Seven Lakes, the first three lakes are on your left. Lake Sebago will be first (one of Harriman State Park’s larger bodies of water) followed by Lake Kanawauke. Follow the signs and soon after a few bends, you’ll spot the parking area situated in front of Lake Skanatati—our jumping-off point for the day’s trek to Bald Rocks Shelter. Perched high in Harriman, Bald Rocks offers sweeping views and on this clear morning, we were hoping for a scenic payoff.
I gathered the group for a quick overview and our planned route. I chose the LP which is the teal-blazed Long Path Trail, positioned on the right of Lake Skannatati. It hugs the water’s edge for the first half mile. We went over key turns and blazes to watch for, especially since the red-blazed Arden-Surebridge (A-SB) Trail also starts here, eventually intersecting with the LP later on.
The trail offers a little bit of everything—streams and water sources, sections of loose rock, and a healthy mix of climbs and descents, plenty to keep things interesting from start to finish.
The opening stretch is an easy warm-up and it wasn’t long before we hit our first water crossing—an ideal spot to use a filter and top off hydration packs or refill bottles.
Further down, I spotted an Eastern White Pine — easy to recognize by its needles, which grow in clusters of five along each stem. These slender green needles can be steeped in hot water for a fragrant, flavorful tea packed with Vitamin C. The tree’s bark can be trimmed and shaped into a makeshift bandage, helping to ward off infection. And if you find yourself spending an unplanned night in the forest, fresh green needles can be gathered for bedding — providing insulation and lifting you off the cold forest floor. (Stick to green needles, though; dry ones are a fire hazard.) Truly, the Eastern White Pine is a remarkable tree, offering survival tools and comfort in equal measure.
As the trail climbed, we came to and veered left onto the yellow-blazed Dunning Trail. This segment winds past the remnants of Hogencamp Mine and includes another stream crossing, though this water source isn’t always reliable.
Along the Dunning, we started spotting scat in the middle of the trail—first small, then unmistakably bear. A large pile with berries and fur told us a bear had passed through recently. With blueberry bushes along the trail, it made sense. A solid reminder to stay alert, keep voices up…NO BEAR was our chant. Always respect the wild space we’re moving through because remember, we are in their home.
Roughly a quarter-mile in, we reached a favorite highlight: The Bowling Rocks. This wide open clearing is scattered with large glacial boulders—some nearly five feet across—deposited here over 20,000 years ago and affectionately dubbed “the bowling balls.” It’s a great spot to rest, rehydrate, and snap a few photos.
After the break, we continued west along Dunning. At a fork, I pointed out the left path that climbs to Bald Rocks the back way, but we stayed on the main trail. Before long, we met up with the red-disc-on-white blazes of the Ramapo-Dunderberg (RD) Trail, which guided us south toward the shelter.
At the summit, we settled ourselves at one of the many fire pits near the shelter and chatted about campground planning. Spirits high on another unforgettable day in Harriman, it was now time to make our way back down.
By this time, a haze hung over the woods. I learned it was smoke from the wildfires raging up in Canada. The air quality had dropped some since morning. Still the descent was quick, and we were grateful for the early start and clear air at the top.
Everyone had worked up a sweat. Thankfully, Alex of Explore Harriman came prepared bringing gifts: Xtreme Element Swipes—bamboo cloths infused with botanicals. These wipes are a post-hike game-changer: clean and cooling. Xtreme Element formulates plant-based, organic skincare made especially for those who spend the most time out in the elements. These Swipes are now a must-have in my gear bag.
Feeling refreshed and hungry, we headed for food. We always build in a well-earned meal. Alex recommended a spot that was new to our group: Taco Tpke in Sloatsburg. We loaded up the cars and made our way there.
Let me tell you—Taco Tpke did not disappoint! I had the Three Taco Hookup (Alex was right—they were amazing). After scoffing those down, I ordered to-go for dinner. Everything here is freshly made! Tip: you are getting food right off the grill. The first bite is gonna be hot, go slowly.
Before I wrap up, one last shoutout to our go-to gear hub: Campmor on Route 17 North in Paramus, NJ. This is my first year organizing Campmor’s community outings, and you can find all upcoming hikes on their MeetUp page under “Getting Outside with Campmor”. These hikes align with my Hike Live Love Adventures account, also on MeetUp. Whether you’re a seasoned trekker or just getting started, Campmor’s got what you need to get outside and stay out longer.
To join us on future outings, go to Getting Outside with Campmor, or at Hike - Live - Love (Glen Rock, NJ) | Meetup . For outdoor survival skill outings and workshops, go to Urban and Outdoor Survival (Glen Rock, NJ) | Meetup
As always, carry out what you carry in and always carry a tyvek map from the nynjtc.org
Harriman State Park, NY
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