[Journal entry for June 29, 2013; Brooks Lake, Harriman State Park]. This hike is a continuation of the one that I did at Fort Montgomery State Historic Site. I had parked at the Site’s Visitor’s Center off of Route 9W just north of Bear Mountain Circle.

I had a bit of trouble finding the 1779W Trailhead (blazed with 1779W in red) at the Visitor’s Center. I first tried the Twin Forts Trail (blazed in blue), taking it southward to the Popolopen Creek footbridge and then taking an informal trail westward, past the north anchorage, along the side of Popolopen Gorge. This proved to be too low a level and I wound up bushwhacking up to the trail through dense and unpleasant brush. I later determined that the actual trailhead is by the entranceway to the Site and is a substantial stone staircase separate from the Twin Forts Trailhead.

The trail led westward through the woods, past an open area identified by a historic marker as the West Redoubt of the fort, though no ruins were evident. After crossing a country road, I came to the intersection with the Brooks Lake Trail (blazed in red). The trail crosses a small wetland by a puncheon; I suppose that this is the main inlet. I walked down to the marshy lakeshore to get my first view of the lake; this is my first visit to it, or at least the first that I recall. The lake is kidney-shaped and perhaps a third of a mile wide in its largest dimension. It is surrounded by wooded hills, which are quite tall, especially on its northern and western sides. The lake is anthropogenic; I could see the dam that impounds it in its northeastern corner. The water is very eutrified, with duckweed covering much of its surface.

The Brooks Lake Trail circles the lake. I took it clockwise. The western section of trail is set a little above the lake shore but below a substantial scarp on the hillside, and though level, is rather rocky. Several side trails lead down to the water’s edge. I took several of these in order to view the lake. Many of the views were quite picturesque, especially those at the north end, in which Bear Mountain was reflected in the lake’s still waters. I passed several anglers.

The dam, which is earth-fill, hosts a gazebo and playground. Families of Canada Geese grazed on the grass and swam in the nearby water. The outlet stream was very modest and seemed rather ad hoc – not flowing through a proper spillway but among some rocks near a boat launch.

The eastern half of the trail is paved with gravel – flat and easy. I gave directions to two ladies who were looking for the Hellhole. It’s in Popolopen Gorge); they had taken the wrong trail. I also passed numerous Seventeen Year Cicadas, lying on the trail, dead or dying. This was one of their swarm years and, while the woods were full of their humming a few weeks ago, their breeding time has drawn to an end. Dead twigs on trees mark where they laid their eggs – the next generation that will reappear in seventeen years.

I bought an ice cream at the Chenut Mart in Ft Montgomery before driving home.

About one and a quarter hours.