Very cool campsite/cave

Joined
May 16, 2006
Messages
2,724
Awhile ago I was emailed some vague directions and a description of this cave/campsite that 10 years ago my friend and his friends used to hang out at, often five to ten times a year. This weekend was my third attempt at finding it, but three time's a charm. Its a really great spot way off the trail in Harriman State Park in NY.

This is the hang out area, the tree trunks in the back used to be a roof:
01_DSC1191smb.jpg


This is a view of the hang out area from above on one of the sides. They used to hang a tarp over it when the weather got bad:

02_DSC1202b.jpg



Off to the side is the Master Cave entrance, sleeps two comfortably, three in a pinch:

03_DSC1193smb.jpg


Stepping inside you see various means of collecting water:

04_DSC1194smb.jpg


Looking to the left, small camp stove in corner and a couple of axes and a pry bar. Not too shabbily appointed:

05_DSC1195b.jpg



Looking from inside out of the cave:

06_DSC1198b.jpg



Then there is the guest cave/dog house, sleeps at least two:

07_DSC1217b.jpg


And then there is the second guest cave, sleeps one:

08_DSC1222b.jpg


Here is an overview of the area:

09Layoutsmb.jpg



Its a really sweet spot to camp at, I will definitely be back for some overnights.

After exploring the campsite, we bushwacked our way to the entrance of an abandoned mine, clearly filled with water:

10_DSC1228b.jpg



Not long after taking that picture I had a rescue situation on my hands. While I was screwing around with my camera, my dog was walking out onto the ever-thining ice over the mineshaft entrance. I hear a crash as my dog breaks through the ice going all the way under. He bobs back up but just can't get any purchase on the ice with his front paws, basically there was no way he was getting out of this. So I had to slither out on the ice on my stomach, getting wetter and wetter, and pull him out by the collar. I think he learned a lesson today, at least I hope he did.
 
Thats a really great hangout, lucky find!

Pretty scary about the pooch, that would have scared the crap out of me! Good save.
 
Pretty scary about the pooch, that would have scared the crap out of me! Good save.

You just don't have time to be scared in that situation, you just react. After it happened I was pretty freaked out and so was he. Luckily I didn't get drenched or fall through ice, we still had an hour walk back to the car.
 
I thought I had found all the great spots in harriman... guess not. I'm usually there at least once a week. it's a great place, alot of nice spots... cheers
 
Nice spot. The caves might offer cool sleeping during the summer, but might be a bit cold in the winter. Any fresh tracks around indicating recent animal activity?
 
Very cool, although sleeping under rocks would be sketchy IMO, whats the chance of an earthquake > you getting crushed?
 
Those are cool shots. Very glad you and your dog were safe!
 
Sweet cave area ...I hit something similiar near the Guadalupe river ,last year was the 1st time camping there and I will try again this year...camping in a cave is great.
 
Nice spot. The caves might offer cool sleeping during the summer, but might be a bit cold in the winter. Any fresh tracks around indicating recent animal activity?

Amazingly, I don't think there had been an human or animal activity there in ten years or if there was they were very conscientious and packed out their trash and puts the tools back and/or didn't the steal the tools. The only evidence of animals I saw around there was piles of deer poop, how do the get those things so perfectly symetrical.:confused:
 
I thought I had found all the great spots in harriman... guess not. I'm usually there at least once a week. it's a great place, alot of nice spots... cheers

Harriman is really beautiful and so amazingly close to the city. :thumbup:
 
looks like an area i used to camp out at when i was a kid. if it is .it was a hideout for some horse theives back in the day. i cant remember his name but i think you could find it easily on line or on a trail map of harriman.
 
Cool pics and it looks like a very cool place. Thank God everything turned out ok for the dog and you. I am sure many folks here have heard of someone perishing trying to save a drowning animal. Had you fallen in through the ice, It is not likely that you would have been able to just swim away to shore.
 
Back
Top