Anyone have any information on condition lately? Would be appreciated, thanks!

I passed that shelter earlier this summer and it was in good enough shape, nice bunk beds and fireplace.

The water source there is a little spring fed well and I wouldn't bank on it. There is a stream that flows into Silvermine Lake not too far from the sheler, less than half a mile i think, no map in front of me to check that. If you were headed sobo on the AT Beechy Bottom Brook would probably be your best bet.

I camped near West Mountain shelter this weekend and was suprised by how low the water in the park was considering the wet summer we've had. West Mtn is, incidentaly, a great place to watch the full moon rise - especially when you aren't aware that there is going to be a full moon that night. It was a nice treat.

I went through there last fall after the leaves had begun to drop and finding that small springbox was a bit of a challenge and then I got the added joy of digging out all the leaves from the icy water. but it was nice and cold for drinking.

Thanks for the info, I'll post an update after I return this weekend.

Its still standing.

Passed this site on 9/2/08. Full of trash, flies, and smelly. I was beat and on my way to Pallisades Pkwy for a pickup and could not heft that load over Black Mtn. Sorry! Hope someone has the time to clean the place.

Slept at the William Brien shelter on 12/06/08

The Spring Fed well was pretty well fed. My thermometer noted the air getting to 19 degrees last night, but the well had no icing. Drank straight out of it yesterday, No trots today. I'll post here if I do get sick.

The "Fireplace" must have been boarded up within the past 2 weeks. It was a fire ring that was formed on the inside of the shelter against the middle-supporting-column. They put ply-wood over the hole cut in the ceiling that allowed for the smoke to escape. Instead there is now an enormous fire-ring in the front of the shelter. Good firewood can be obtained from a lot of downed stuff "up the hill" from the shelter, near the spring-well.

I put some of the ambient rocks into the fire to put in my tent last night. I'm happy to report they do not have moisture in them and did not explode. (If anybody does this, It brought the temp in my tent up to 40* and prevented my water from freezing)

Although it isn't really detrimental, the Graffiti Situation is out of hand there. Everybody in the woods seems to carry either spray paint or a sharpie marker. Nobody cares who you are.

No Privy. Just dont poop near the well.

The shelter sits all of 10 feet from a yellow-blazed trail which seemed to be popular despite the 20mph winds and 20 degree forecast.

Good tenting area between the shelter and the water, "behind the hill" (you know what I mean when you're there.) Also tentable right next to the shelter, if you want to obstruct a yellow-trail-hikers way.

Obviously overused tentsites have been covered in horridly-jagged rocks.

No train or vehicular traffic noises heard. Some airplanes and a fire-department siren in the far distance.

stayed here last week. The well was very low--just some mud at the bottom. Shelter itself pretty skanky--trash + a couple of airmattresses from weekenders/partiers, droppings inside, no broom to clean the place out with. Who maintains the shelters in this park? why can't they at least supply brooms? Shelter is nicely sited and could be OK if it were cleaned up. A deer came right down to the fire circle in both the evening and morning. Plus, something bigger than a mouse--a wood rat?--visited the shelter at night.

stayed here last week. The well was very low--just some mud at the bottom. Shelter itself pretty skanky--trash + a couple of airmattresses from weekenders/partiers, droppings inside, no broom to clean the place out with. Who maintains the shelters in this park? why can't they at least supply brooms? Shelter is nicely sited and could be OK if it were cleaned up. A deer came right down to the fire circle in both the evening and morning. Plus, something bigger than a mouse--a wood rat?--visited the shelter at night.

It hasn't changed much since May. The floor really needs a good sweeping, but no broom. I did not, and would not, stay in this shelter.

It hasn't changed much since May. The floor really needs a good sweeping, but no broom. I did not, and would not, stay in this shelter.

Sounds the same as it was in 07. I'd be embarrassed if it were my Club that was responsible for it.

Cosmo

Sounds the same as it was in 07...................

Cosmo


Actually, it's been pretty much the same for years. Considering how many people use Harriman park and how close the shelter is to roads and parking I'm surprised it's not in worse condition.