Stone Shelter Camping in a Snow Storm
- Published on: 31 December 2020
- Backpacking & Solo Winter Camping in a Snow Storm on the Appalachian Trail and New York Long Path.
For this 3 day, 2 night camping trip, I decided to do a backpacking loop in New York’s Harriman State park. Despite being just a half hour north of New York City, Harriman SP offers hundreds of miles of trails, rugged mountain terrain, and rustic lean-to shelters built in the 1920’s. Covering over 47,000 acres, it’s the second largest state park in NY and feels more like a national forest shortly after hitting the trail.
Because I did this trip in mid December with a forecast of possible snow and a temp range of just above freezing down to the teens, I figured the crowds would be minimal. The shelters in this area also have some great personality, so I decided to do something different – go minimal and just sleep in the shelter with a sleeping pad and a down quilt. This is a convenient and common practice for most Appalachian Trail hikers in fairer weather, but it would be a first for me in winter.
For an easier read, GPS data, and more info check out my full blog post:
https://www.sintax77.com/stone-shelter-camping-in-a-snow-storm
No permit is required to backcountry camp in Harriman SP, but you may only set up camp within 100 yards of one of the park’s lean-to shelters.
Trailhead Used: Kanawauke Picnic Area, Bear Mountain, NY 10911
I chose this spot to begin because the road is closed beyond this point during winter. There are plenty of spots for parking and it was plowed while I was in the woods, which is a plus. There are also restrooms here, but they were closed for the winter.
NJTC Trail Map https://amzn.to/2KMYfrs
Trails Used, Day 1
Road hike west on Kanawauke Rd 1/2 half mile.
Right on Unnamed Forest Road
Left (west) on Dunning Trail
Right (north) on Ramapo Dunderberg Trail
Lichen Trail
New York Long Path North / Arden Surebridge Trail
Right on Appalachian Trail North
Left (north) on Long Path
Camp at “Unmaintained Shelter”
While listed as “unmaintained”, this is an all metal shelter that is in good condition with an established fire pit in front. Water is available 1/8 mile east on the Long Path at the crossing of Surebridge Brook.
Day 1 Mileage: 5.7
Day 1 Gross Ascent: 1,581’
Trails Used, Day 2
Continue on the Long Path
Camp at Stockbridge Shelter
Made of stone in 1928 and built into the side of the Stockbridge Mountain summit with a new metal roof and two stone fireplaces. There are plenty of spots for tent or hammock camping to the rear of the shelter as well. I didn’t observe any water sources here. I got water the next morning 1 mile down the yellow trail at one of the streams feeding Lake Nawahunta.
Day 2 Mileage: 3.4
Day 2 Gross Ascent: 762’
Trails Used, Day 3
Backtrack south on the Long Path
Left (east) on Menomine Trail (yellow)
Pass by Silvermine Lake & William Brien Shelter
Right (west) on Red Cross Trail
Straight (southwest) on unmaintained woods road.
I did this as a shortcut to save time and elevation.
Road Hike west on Seven Lakes Drive (plowed in winter)
Return to vehicle
Day 3 Mileage: 9.5
Day 3 Gross Ascent: 1,466 feet
Total Mileage: 18.6
Total Gross Ascent: 3,809’
Backpacking Gear
Fjallraven Kajka 75 Backpack https://amzn.to/2Uj8Ew4
Hammock Gear Burrow 20 Top Quilt https://www.hammockgear.com/premium-burrow/
Amok Fjol XL Winterlight Sleeping Pad https://www.amokequipment.com/products/fjol-xl-winterlight
Dutchware UP Booties https://dutchwaregear.com/product/up-booties/
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot https://amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Toaks 450ml Titanium Cup https://amzn.to/3mYer6k
Generic Cannister Stove https://amzn.to/2WTbUjc
MSR Flex Skillet https://amzn.to/2L4B4IT
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker https://amzn.to/30S3rxm
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork http://amzn.to/2uyl5GJ
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets https://amzn.to/36p6DEd
Outdoor Research MicroGravity AscentShell Jacket https://amzn.to/38P5IhA
Outdoor Vitals Adventure Jacket, Loftek version http://bit.ly/2AbgmPP
Outdoor Vitals Satu Adventure Pants https://bit.ly/36Hd85J
Solomon Toundro Pro CSWP Boot https://amzn.to/2KQDDyz
Dutchware Folding Sit Pad https://dutchwaregear.com/product/folding-sit-pad/
Byer of Maine Trilite Camp Stool https://amzn.to/38xgTx1
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp https://amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Silky F-180 Folding Saw https://amzn.to/3rAbI6B
Casio ProTrek F30 Smartwatch https://amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
Benchmade Bugout EDC Folding Knife https://amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Peak Refuel Backpacking Meals https://amzn.to/38CdYAV
Mountain House Backpacking Meals https://amzn.to/34VxLeg
Spot Gen3 GPS Messenger https://amzn.to/2EJLQhC
GoPro Hero 8 Black https://amzn.to/2D8n6lL
Tripod Grip https://amzn.to/2MPhGOM
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
https://www.sintax77.com/free-stickers/
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COMMENTS: 40
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Rik Warren 1 weeks ago
I camped at 5 degrees in the Ice water springs shelter. Walked to Mt Leconte on the north side of mountain. Broke trail ~4 miles thru 19" 24" fresh snow. Unbelievable but treacherous.
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dube mccready 2 weeks ago
I would prefer to stay in the 2nd shelter - looked alot more confined than the 1st & alot smaller to keep warm maybe more protection from weather etc. loved the look of your cheese toastie.for lunch, it is 4.56am here in Australia so put you on pause went off to make me one, added thinly sliced leek ( a milder tasting onion) mmm delicious sintax77. back to you, good video buddy yeah get into car & wind up that heater. travel safely
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Keegan Baker 3 weeks ago
Remember bigfoot's hungry too AKA Sasquatch you ought to read that newspaper article before you go any further pull it up the Bodies they found in that damn shelter ask one of the army guys down there at fort Bragg that was in on that investigation bodies look like they were in a blender and now they're saying some wolfman thing or dog man I hope you brought a gun with you and I'm saying the hell with the bears for for the stupid ass is out there
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Loz Hunter 3 weeks ago
I dont understand you knew it was snowing, you let the fires go out, why? I presume you know you could freeze on cold nights, but then that is what the search parties train for, good luck
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Dr. +John Paul 3 weeks ago
I have watched hundreds of great outdoor camping video’s in the winter, before, during, and after a winter storm, I watched them build shelters, campfires, beds etc. but what I have never seen is anyone build a latrine (toilet). They don’t have to demonstrate using it, but at else show that you have one, or some new modern day method designed for camping. No one can go three days camping without relieving themselves, its part of life, human nature, nothing to be shamed about.
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Mark Walters 3 weeks ago
Good video. But I would like to mention that my doctor told me never to eat top ramen soups. One because of the salt content and two the noodles are just like eating grass. Worthless. So I make rice. 😇
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tom sevensixtwo nguyen 4 weeks ago
Absolutely HORRIBLE! The title doesn’t match the video. It should be titled ‘Man’s self video diary of him yapping for over an hour, like women exchanging cooking recipes, before he gets to his destination on a windy winter day’. There was no “storm”. A hot trash video. LAME AF.
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Spider Reed 1 months ago
I think your wife was trying to set your ass on fire with those grilled cheeses,lol.its not my way I like just bread,cheese,tomato and if I can have pickles on the side and some tomato soup,I'm in heaven.
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Spider Reed 1 months ago
I wouldn't like sharing a shelter at all.it'd feel awkward, especially when you need to go to the bathroom wondering if they'll steal from you,or worse have a much wanting to borrow all your things,or there drunk,talking non stop all night,ugh,that'd be my luck too,lol.
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Morgan Daii 1 months ago
Id love to see someone stay at that stone camp site but with better supplies lol
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Alex Samways 1 months ago
Superb trip but you didnt collect enough wood and an small axe would have been useful to split larger logs..
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Jay Meyers 1 months ago
Should try storm king mountain theres trails alover that area n your only about 10 miles away from herriman state park have to go past west point military academy up 9a north
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Gregg Meyer 1 months ago
I’m an Eagle Scout and you are very dangerous in your actions. You shouldn’t be posting any of this because you are promoting a bunch of bad decisions.
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Jon Arment 2 months ago
30:52 You know what sailors say about red skies?"Red sky at night... Sailor's delight." "Red sky morning... We're gonna need a bigger boat."
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Kimmy Fenn 2 months ago
I camped and hiked with friends into The Grand Canyon, we went Tanner Trail, it was great, sunrise and sunset were amazing .
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Joannas Arcamedes 2 months ago
You be safe out there....I hope and pray you are armed and have your personal locater device.
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Nicholas Williams 2 months ago
Another thing about Bigfoot, how many times do hikers come into close proximity with these creatures, only to be met with the sound of broken branches, rustling trees, growls, heavy foot steps and occasional roars, but no actual violent confrontation. This shows that Bigfoot would rather push people out of their hunting ground, rather than rip them apart as would be expected. It seems a case of the bark being louder than the bite. There are of course a couple of instances when people have been ripped apart, but this does not happen often. Intimidation is the order of the day rather than aggression
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Nicholas Williams 2 months ago
As far as Bigfoot go, I certainly don’t think they have much to do with missing hikers..... Bigfoot have a human side to their nature and they seem to understand what guns are used for and I think they are aware of the consequences, if too many people disappear. This not saying that Bigfoot are completely innocent they have been known to take out, the odd person here and there, but the sheer majority of missing people is down to something far more deadly............
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Nicholas Williams 2 months ago
Hi hope everybody is keeping well........well as I was saying, I’m just surprised David hasn’t thought about all of this himself it’s all quite simple really........what people have to get their heads around is the simple fact that Bigfoot is not the Apex predator at the top of the food chain ?....... There is one other, A predator so damn sneaky, deadly when it strikes and yet so secretive that most people regard it as legend................. ? This creature is in every National Park in America and yet it shares the same invisibility as Bigfoot !
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andres vera 2 months ago
Hi Chuby....you must be stupid to walk without gators in the snow.May be the next time you lost a few fingers on yours feet or worst
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Nicholas Williams 2 months ago
Been studying the trees, on ya video, ain’t seen no birdlife, I imagine if evergreens are evergreen all year round then maybe that’s where the birds will be...Been studying the missing 411 phenomenon for years, finally joined a lot of dots and come with a solution.This won’t explain all missing persons cases but it might explain the sheer majority - I can’t offer an explanation for bodies turning up in areas already searched. It’s cases like Eric Lewis and Chris Tomlinson the surveyor who went over the fence, but I’m already getting ahead of myself...my heart felt thanks to the king David Paulides for putting me upon this path of investigation. Why am I writing this when it has nothing to do with your film, maybe I don’t want you or any of your followers ending up as victims bye for now ?
Lookout for them bigfoots !!