An Outdoor Hiking and Climbing Adventure in Harriman State Park - by Don Neske

It was my daughter Willow’s first climb and a return to an old haunt for me: Harriman State Park’s Perpendicular. We chose a scorcher to make the climb: 94 degrees amidst extreme heat and poor air quality warnings! But hike and climb we did.

I’m not sure if Perpendicular is the real name, but that’s what we always called when I was a much younger man. For these parts it sure would be apt.

Most experienced climbers would find it to be a tad easy, but if you’re new to the sport or looking for an easy-to-reach training ground this could be your spot.

There are cool boulders that will challenge you, one right at the beginning of the trail is a favorite of many a climber. And the there are cliffs of varying difficulty that will challenge and excite you – especially if you have a touch of “the fear of heights” like I do.

For our part, we took a moderate route to the top. We went up a bit and came back down to get the dog to find an easy way for him to follow us. (He was exhausted when we finally made it up there. But we doused him in water to cool him off and he perked right up.)

The view from the top was beautiful. There were Turkey Vultures circling overhead, and it was a gorgeous day. This is the spot I go to in my mind when I need to take myself to a quiet peaceful place to escape the stress of the world. (Know what I mean?) And I was so happy to share it’s beauty and tranquility with my little girl.

Lessons Learned

As is almost always the case, there was a major life lesson to be learned on this trip; I think that whenever I go outdoors there is some enlightening experience waiting for me if I just keep my eyes, ears, heart and mind open.

At the end of the trip, we returned to the big boulder at the beginning of the trail. When we first saw it, Willow really wanted to climb it, but I said, “We’ll think about it.” Now we were back, and having seen her on the cliff, I thought she could give it a try.

At first she gingerly tried to find a toe hold and hand hold, but couldn’t get it. I really didn’t think she could make it. Then she tried attacking it, by throwing herself at it. No such luck. I climbed it, most of the way to show her how she might make it.

She tried, but the hand holds and toe holds were too far apart. She need to grow another foot to do it, and I told her so. It was time to go.

She wouldn’t hear of it.

All those times of me telling her to never give up on her dreams when we were at the playground and fishing and doing anything else that was frustrating and difficult must have sunk in, because she shot me a look like I was betraying her down to her very soul.

She wanted a spot and maybe a little boost, and she was going to make it up that rock if it took all night. I put down my pack, spotted her, and she made it on the next attempt.

She had so much fun she made me promise 3 times that we could come back again!

We're going back first thing in the spring!

Directions

If you want to find this spot, enter the park via Seven Lakes Drive on the Sloatsburg side. Just as you see the wooden Welcome sign for the park, make a left on Johnsontown Road. Make a right at the end and take this road to the end. Park in the shade at the circle.

Just before the circle is a trailhead. As you’re walking back down the road, it will be on your right. Follow the blue and white trail (white with a blue dot in the middle) all the way until you see the cliffs then walk along the cliff until you see something you want to climb.

Or if you want to take it easy, just follow that blue and white up the back side of the mountain. This is a much easier route.

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