This is another lollipop hike (with a very short stick) of my own invention comprised almost completely of Harriman paths we haven't previously hiked, much of it on
unmaintained, unblazed paths and woods roads. It visits two beautiful lakes, Skenonto and Sebago, both of which seemed frozen solid, topped with a dusting of snowflakes
from earlier in the week.
We parked on Route 106 at the Victory trail's northern trailhead and took that trail south, making a right on the Ramapo-Dunderberg (at the fireplace) heading west to take in two vistas on Parker Cabin Mountain, one looking east, the other looking south. After taking in the views we backtracked to the intersection with the Triangle trail, making a right onto that trail to head east on a sharp descent off Parkin Cabin Mountain. We took this trail all the way to the southern tip of Lake Skenonto then continued south to the bank of Lake Sebago. At this point we made a left on an unmaintained trail and headed north along the beautiful western bank of Sebago for about a mile. After we reached the picnic area, before the Sebago beach, we made a left on a crumbling old camp road and took that NW to the Victory trail. We turned right onto that trail and took it all the way back to the car. This is an absolutely beautiful hike with terrific vistas and gorgeous lakes. There's a real sense of isolation at the two lakes, especially during the one-mile trek along the bank of Sebago on a unmaintained trail which is at times just a trace in the fallen leaves. But it's impossible to get lost, as long as you head north keeping the lake on your right. Total distance hiked today was 5.5 miles, in about 3 hours and 45 minutes.
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Victory trail head |
Swamp across Rt. 106 |
Mountain Laurel thicket |
Icy stream |
Fireplace at R-D intersection |
Heading west on R-D |
Beautiful ridged whaleback |
Tom Jones Mountain in rear |
Vapor trails |
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Partial view south |
Ridge of Parker Cabin Mtn |
View east past errata |
View south |
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View to Tuxedo |
Continuing south on R-D |
Southern vista |
Glacial erratic with ... |
... dedication to a dog |
View SE |
Spots of ice |
Lake Sebago |
Aerial tower in distance |
Steep descent on Triangle [photo by Laura] |
Laura descending |
Descending Parker Cabin Mtn |
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Rock shelter [photo by Laura] |
Continuing the descent |
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Green on ... |
... Triangle trail |
Giant rock structure |
The photographer [photo by Laura] |
Cute little Chickadee |
Telephone line crossing |
First glimpse of Lake Skenonto |
A frozen Lake Skenonto |
The southwestern bank |
Island in the lake |
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Trail skirts southern bank |
Lake Skenonto looking north |
Icy run-off |
Stream crossing |
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Ice on trail |
First view of Lake Sebago |
On southwestern bank |
Fire ring further north |
Icicles along the way |
Marks across the lake |
Brundage Hill across lake |
[Photo by Laura] |
Stream coming ... |
... from Skenonto ... |
... merging with Sebago |
Lake Sebago looking south |
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Bird feathers |
Trail skirts western bank |
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A track to an island |
First glimpse of beach facilities |
Path is right at the lake here |
Lake Sebago beach facility |
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Photographing nature |
Beach signs |
One of many picnic benches |
Frozen water from culvert |
Culvert |
Phragmites on Sebago |
View from near northern tip |
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Old camp building |
Demolishing another |
Pines and power lines |
Decrepit buildings |
Back on Victory trail |
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A cautious deer |
Heading back on Victory |
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It's a woods road here |
Laura makes ... |
... a friend |
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