Harriman After Dark: Moonlight, Mountains, and Bad Decisions

Harriman after dark...

You've hiked Harriman in daylight. You've seen the lakes, climbed the rocks, admired the views, and successfully avoided being eaten by anything larger than a mosquito.

Now let's make the experience more exciting by removing the sun.

There’s something magical about being in the woods after dark. Once your headlamp becomes your entire visual universe, every rustle sounds like a bear, every branch snap sounds like a bear with excellent timing, and every mysterious shadow is obviously a bear. Your other senses will become highly alert, allowing you to smell, hear, and emotionally process the wildlife before it eats you.

We're heading into Harriman State Park, one of my favorite local playgrounds, for a roughly 8-mile nocturnal adventure starting from the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center.

We'll hit the Seven Hills Trail, follow a bubbling brook for a while, then climb through the forest toward a rocky, west-facing plateau overlooking the Hudson Valley. We'll stop there to enjoy the sunset and savor the final moments of daylight before the forest changes ownership and the nocturnal creatures begin their shift.

Once darkness settles in, we'll continue toward Pine Meadow Lake, descending through the forest and arriving at the lake just as the full moon should be putting on a show.

We'll hang out by the water, enjoy the stars, and experience the peaceful serenity of being in the middle of nowhere at midnight while pretending every distant noise is "probably nothing." If we can find enough dry wood without committing a felony, we'll build a small campfire and break out marshmallows and other fireside delicacies.

This is not your typical hike. It's darker, quieter, more mysterious, and significantly more entertaining when someone suddenly stops and asks, "Did you hear that?"

And yes, you probably did.

The important stuff...

• By RSVPing for this event, you agree to the following waiver of liability: https://bit.ly/3atj0C5
• This is an INTERMEDIATE hike of approximately 8 miles, and we'll be out in the woods until around midnight. You don't need to be an elite athlete, but you should be in reasonably good physical condition.
• This is a social hike and we'll maintain a moderate pace. If your preferred hiking strategy is to vanish over the horizon and communicate only by distant yodeling, you're going to be disappointed.
• Dress in layers of non-cotton clothing. It gets colder after sunset. Wear hiking boots or trail shoes; sneakers are strongly discouraged. Bring a hat, 2–3 liters of water, dinner and/or snacks, and insect repellent. A pocket poncho is also a smart addition in case Mother Nature decides to add rain to the evening's entertainment.
• A headlamp is mandatory, along with spare batteries. A handheld flashlight is also recommended. Your phone flashlight is an emergency backup, not a legitimate plan for an 8-mile nighttime hike. The forest will not accept "my battery was at 12%" as an excuse.

How to get there...

Take NJ Route 17 north to the New York State Thruway and take the first exit, Exit 15A (Sloatsburg).Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto NY Route 17 north and continue through the Village of Sloatsburg. Just past the village, turn right at the traffic light, following the signs for Harriman State Park.

Cross the overpass over the railroad tracks and continue along Seven Lakes Drive, passing underneath the Thruway overpass and entering Harriman State Park.

Continue approximately another mile to the Reeves Meadow Visitor Center, which will be on the right.

Park in the Visitor Center parking lot. If the lot is full, parking is permitted in designated roadside areas.

One last warning...

If the idea of walking through a dark forest at night makes you nervous, that's understandable.

If the idea sounds awesome, you're exactly who this hike is for.
Bring your headlamp, your snacks, and your best "I definitely did not hear a wolf" face.

Leave your expectations of civilization in the car, and let's see what Harriman looks like after the lights go out.