Hiking PA: Tyler State Park

 

Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park consists of 1,711 acres in Bucks County, PA. It is a very popular park all year round for people to run, hike, and bike there. In summer, people kayak  there as well.  

Parking: There are many parking lots. We like to park at the boat house parking lot. 

A river runs through the park, and there are bridges over the water, among which is the covered bridge.  There are well-maintained trails all over the park, as well as difficult trails on the slopes and valleys. 

[Trail map ]

 

Hiking NY: Elk Pen

 Elk Pen at Harriman State Park, NY

We have been at Harriman State Park many times. It is a place we like to stop by whenever we go to up state NY for hiking or skiing. Every time, we stopped by the seven lakes, but we never actually hiked any of its trails.  This year, during the holiday season, we found the Elk Pen trail (the second hardest one in the park). There is a beautiful lake on top of the mountain called Island Pond.

Parking: Elk Pen Parking lot  within Harriman State Park, NJ

Description from the park:

Take the AT (Appalachian Trail)  through the meadow to AS (red trail). Turn right on to the start of AS. Continue on AS for approximately 3.5 miles. AS will intersect with AT at the Lemon Squeezer. Turn left on to AT and follow back to the hikers’ parking lot.

It is claimed to be 5 miles, but it took us about 7 miles with a few missed turns. The trails wander through big boulders, numerous streams, and fallen woods. It was a tiring hike because of some climbing, but we enjoyed it a lot.

Sun light on the slops

Jumping over the rock

Watching the sunset

Island Pond

Island Pond

A cool rock

Moss and mushroom on the ground

Ice on the mountain

 

Hiking NJ: Sourland Mountain Preserve

 Sourland Mountain Hiking Trails

The hiking trails in Sourland Mountain Preserve are the local favorites near the Princeton area. People come here hiking, running,  biking, and bouldering. We went there many times and finally found the longest loop (over 7 miles) this time. The trails are mostly flat, wandering through big boulders, little streams, and thick woods. Note: Some areas may get pretty wet and muddy. 

Parking: 415 E Mountain Rd, Hillsborough Township, NJ 08844  

Note: Sometimes google may direct to a different place if you search for "Sourland Mountain Preserve".

The  longest loop on the above map starts from Post Mark (1). We followed the yellow trails to Post Mark (2; Devil's Half Acre Boulders) and (3),  and then the red trail to Post Mark (4; Roaring Rocks Boulders),  the blue trail to Post Mark (5), the white trail to Post Marks (7) and (8). The orange trail closes the loop.  

Note:  The drawback of this loop is that you will miss the spot (with a camera symbol)  where you can see the NYC skyline on a clear day.

Boulders near Devil's half acre boulders

Streams near Roaring Rock boulders

The sculpture and mushroom near Post Marks (4) and (5)

Hiking NY: Finger Lakes

Finger Lakes Region 

 

                           The gorge near the upper entrance of Treman State Park

The Gorge trail in Watkins Glen State Park looks so amazing, but it is closed between Nov to May. So we made the best out of the 3-day trip without it.

Where to stay: We stayed at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, clean and spacious. The staffs were very friendly and helpful.  They provided coffee and tea every morning, and freshly baked cookies in the afternoon.

Day 1. Corning Glass Museum

Unique museum with live demonstrations. Its history includes discoveries of ceramic glass and glass fibers for communication by its scientists. 

Day 2. Treman State Park

It had been raining for the three days, but we had our rain coats on wondering through the gorges. We took the gorge trail and the rim trail loop, which is about 4 to 5 miles, a perfect work out for the family.

Lucifer Falls is a 115-foot cascade.

Just be careful of the slippery ice on the stone bridges in winter.

Day 3.  Buttermilk Fall state park & Ithaca

We took the gorge trail to the rim trail loop again, plus the bear trail (a very quiet trail compared to the roaring water trails). The trip was totaled up to 3 miles.  The park is near Ithaca, so we had lunch there and visited Cornell University.

Glad to find out that the state parks have cabins and camping grounds, and even with swimming pools under waterfalls in season!

The buttermilk Falls