Stone Shelter Camping in a Snow Storm

Stone Shelter Camping in a Snow Storm

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:

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.

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50 Comments

  1. Nicholas Williams on April 18, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    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 !

  2. Alex Samways on April 18, 2022 at 6:37 pm

    Superb trip but you didnt collect enough wood and an small axe would have been useful to split larger logs..

  3. David Chu on April 18, 2022 at 6:39 pm

    The canvas tent shop I use: DANCHEL OUTDOOR tent, which also comes with a stove from the same brand. Love our long, cold Canadian winter.

  4. nate pastian on April 18, 2022 at 6:42 pm

    Half the people probably leave when the fire is still smoldering.

  5. Bob Black on April 18, 2022 at 6:44 pm

    As a philly boy it’s great to hear your soft philly accent!!

  6. Patrick Flanagan on April 18, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    I stayed in the same Stockbridge shelter in February 2020. I hiked up from silvermine Lake. I was so grateful to find that shelter because the wind was howling something fierce that night. In the morning I hiked out by the long path to Highway 6 and then hitched a ride to the train station.

  7. Nicholas Williams on April 18, 2022 at 6:49 pm

    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

  8. Michael Andrzejewski on April 18, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    You see the second shelter roof and I say the roof the roof the roof is on fire we don’t need no water let the m%#&;@! F@#%/r burn 😂 lol

  9. Leif Erickson on April 18, 2022 at 6:51 pm

    Eat,eat,eat,eat, how fucking exciting, pooch mug……🍁

  10. Steven Markeveys on April 18, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    I believe all them pipes were to carry water downhill from natural springs. Our old camp in green mountains VT had same gravity fed system. High maintenance from season to season with frost movement and leaks but works all the same. ~enjoy

  11. Rouni Mohad on April 18, 2022 at 6:53 pm

    Bla bla bla bla

  12. Rath YHWH on April 18, 2022 at 6:54 pm

    The place where serial killers are born lol

  13. X Terminator on April 18, 2022 at 6:54 pm

    at what point during the video do you start to camp ?

  14. Kimmy Fenn on April 18, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    I camped and hiked with friends into The Grand Canyon, we went Tanner Trail, it was great, sunrise and sunset were amazing .

  15. Jay Meyers on April 18, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    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

  16. Walter Maner on April 18, 2022 at 6:55 pm

    Where is your bellows?

  17. TheMattc999 on April 18, 2022 at 6:56 pm

    Grilled cheese with extra butter, chinese spicy mustard, and Caribbean red peppers with extra peppers on the side? Those clouds may not blow out tonight but _something_ definitely will….. You sure your wife’s not trying to kill you? 😋

    (Just kidding, I’m actually kinda jealous- that sounds awesome….but something *IS* gonna blow out tonight regardless 🤣)

  18. Chris Jay on April 18, 2022 at 6:57 pm

    are you really drinking diet mountain dew?

  19. Randy Newby on April 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    Build you a 2 wheel cart !

  20. Kristopher Steele on April 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    Your wife is cool packing you some food. I like the spicy food in the winter to help warm up from the inside. That shelter is very cool.

  21. Nicholas Williams on April 18, 2022 at 7:00 pm

    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 ?

  22. Charles S on April 18, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    The stone shelter would been really cool, if one was prepared before going there. A trap, bow saw, and axe, and a camp stove, and that would be come a nice little camp spot.

  23. Carol Bulmer on April 18, 2022 at 7:01 pm

    That was quite an adventure! Well done😊

  24. Michael Andrzejewski on April 18, 2022 at 7:02 pm

    Yeah thats a lot snow overnight you wouldnt catch me out there

  25. Gregg Meyer on April 18, 2022 at 7:04 pm

    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.

  26. andres vera on April 18, 2022 at 7:04 pm

    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

  27. jonas owens on April 18, 2022 at 7:05 pm

    so why do u yuppies do things like this.makes no sence

  28. John Brazil on April 18, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    Is there a Star Bucks there?

  29. wayne baldwin on April 18, 2022 at 7:07 pm

    you lost me at … Well , I’m gonna leave the Jeep here … Lol

  30. Star Child on April 18, 2022 at 7:09 pm

    He looks like one of the guys from BuzzFeed. Don’t know who is who I always get them mixed up but their names are Ryan and Shane. He could be his doppelganger because he looks so much like that BuzzFeed guy! Wonder if they are related!?

  31. Karen Carpenter on April 18, 2022 at 7:09 pm

    If I was out hiking and I was cold I would Thank some one for thinking of other’s me***** 20 ⭐⭐ star’s for you . So if you do this for other’s Thank you. Nothing BUT THE BEST for YOU. Aways.

  32. charles chrismon on April 18, 2022 at 7:10 pm

    I live in New Castle Pensylvania. I heard you say you lived South of Philly. I am looking for a place to camp with fishing and the ability to have a fire. Do you know of a place I can do that in the spring or fall? I don’t think I would like summer or winter camping because I don’t like cold and cant sleep when its too hot. I’m 56 and not as resilient as I used to be but I’m having an incredibly hard time finding a place to just go enjoy myself in the woods with limited restrictions. If you could point me in the right direction I would be grateful. 🙂

  33. testing 123 on April 18, 2022 at 7:10 pm

    coulda rode a bike to the trail head

  34. Kristopher Steele on April 18, 2022 at 7:16 pm

    I love how calm you are at lunch on day 3 and just being in the moment. At testament to your confidence in your skills.

  35. Martha Galuszka on April 18, 2022 at 7:16 pm

    We camped in one of those open shelters in a St Forest in Vermont in the late 80’s. Nice to be off the ground. Fire in front definitely worked well. We had our big dog with us and he slept by our heads to watch for, and protect us from animals all night! It was late October, not the dead of winter but still pretty cold up there. I think the park was Calvin Coolidge. I hope people are still enjoying it like we did. I’m too old to camp out now.

  36. Sea My Life on April 18, 2022 at 7:18 pm

    That stone shelter is the sh*t!! Turnkey

  37. Barron Von Hufnagle on April 18, 2022 at 7:19 pm

    This is my favorite video’.

  38. Chris Tullo on April 18, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    Welcome to my neck of the woods haha

  39. RussiaisaRiddle….. on April 18, 2022 at 7:21 pm

    It would be hard to resist that to fire shelter. Considering the snow, I think it was a good choice of stop.

  40. James Douglas on April 18, 2022 at 7:23 pm

    Thanks for taking the time. You did a great video.

  41. Yankee on April 18, 2022 at 7:24 pm

    My proverbial backyard. I drive thru Harriman every day on my way down to New York City to work (I live in the Catskills). I once saw what’s known as a "Grand Slam" in hunting; Turkeys, deer & a bear all at the same time at Harriman.

    Every time I drive under the Appalachian Trail overpass, I think to myself, "I should be on that bridge". 95.5% of New York is "not" New York City. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the woods here. You caught the essence of a New York State park perfectly.

  42. Sticky Treasures on April 18, 2022 at 7:25 pm

    Awesome vid!

  43. 렌서 on April 18, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    와 저기도 산 좋와 하는 한국인을 보다니 ;;;;;;

  44. Nicholas Williams on April 18, 2022 at 7:28 pm

    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…………

  45. Kristopher Steele on April 18, 2022 at 7:30 pm

    Can you please let me know what rain jacket you are using?

  46. Walter Maner on April 18, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    I always want to holler, wait, you forgot your camera

  47. Robert Robello on April 18, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    👎

  48. Jaycee C on April 18, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    The concrete slab you found is a base to what used to be a picnic shelter.

  49. Joannas Arcamedes on April 18, 2022 at 7:34 pm

    You be safe out there….I hope and pray you are armed and have your personal locater device.

  50. Jon Arment on April 18, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    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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