Welcome to another Travel Tuesday…and I’m bringing you back to the east coast today (specifically New York) — come check out the Lemon Squeezer! (You’ll find out why it’s called that shortly…)
Lemon Squeezer on the Appalachian Trail
Distance: ~5 miles (round-trip)
Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Address: 41.264792, -74.15426 / 1010 Arden Valley Rd, Southfields, NY 10975 (Elk Pen Parking Lot at Harriman State Park)
Fee: $8 (for entry into state park)
The Lemon Squeezer is a fun little section of the Appalachian Trail (AT). I first discovered its existence while I was in residency! Since I was considered to be “Rutgers faculty,” I was able to join the undergrad clubs and picked up a bunch of hobbie (e.g. salsa — I did this hike the day before my very last performance with them!, rock climbing).
Island Pond on the Appalachian Trail!
Can you spot the arrow!?
The Rutgers outdoor club would have a list of different trips/hikes they were planning to do, and since I could rarely ever make it to those (other than a couple rock climbing trips and a surfing lesson!), I would just browse their trip list for ideas. 
This looks a lot wider than it actually is…
This section of the AT goes through a tight opening in between a bunch of ginormous rocks that you have to squeeze through to get past (hence, “lemon squeezer”). 
If you don’t feel like doing this, there’s a sign that says “easy way” that you can follow instead…but where’s the fun in that? 
I did this hike when I was back in New Jersey along with my most loyal travel/hiking buddy (other than my brother), Hamidah! You can check out the other adventures we’ve gone on here!
Overall, this was a fun section of the AT and I’m glad we got to check it out. If you’ve never been on the Stairway to Heaven, I’d highly recommend hiking that sometime too if you’re in the area!
- Are you claustrophobic?
- Would you go through the lemon squeezer?!
- Check out other hikes here!
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Wow! Did not know this!
I wanna hike the whole Appalachian Trail someday! :D… (Will probably need to be in sections, haha.)
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: April 2022
Wow! That looks like it would be tough to do with a big hiking backpack! Hopefully, someone would encounter that after a good night’s sleep and a good meal, and not after weeks of hiking the Appalachian Trail! I think my legs would be so tired and that would be really hard to do.
Ah, that’s a good point! I didn’t even think of that since I just did it as a day hike. I’d love to hike the entire AT someday but realistically speaking, if I reallyyy wanna do that, I’m probably going to have to do it in installments (or wait til I retire).
That is so smart, looking at the hiking events (even if you can’t attend) to find your own future adventures!!
When I read the title…I assumed lemon squeezer would be some kind of cake, like lemon drizzle :)
Maybe one day you should go back and set up trail magic with lemon cakes for the AT hikers!? I agree with Kristen. It looks fun, but hard to manage with a large AT backpack!
Josy A recently posted…Paintbrush trail – Manning Park
hehe, I was living vicariously through them until I realized I could just go off their list and plan my own using them as inspiration! :P
You’re making me want some lemon drizzle cake too now, haha. That’d be such a welcome surprise. I would like to go back to hike the AT someday (but likely in sections) so I’m liking your idea! :]!
This looks like a lovely hike and I love the story behind the name ‘lemon squeezer’. I would love to do this hike sometime, especially since I’ve never on any part of the Appalachian Trail before. Will be saving this for a future trip :) Thanks!
April Vera-Lynn recently posted…The Best Things to Do in Lynn Valley, North Vancouver
Yay! I hope you get to go sometime! :]
Farrah recently posted…Ultimate Coffee Date: April 2022
Looks like such a fun adventure!
It definitely was! :]
I think I’ve heard of this one! I’d like to try it. I need a hiking buddy!
Oh my god I looked at that – can you spot the arrow pic for about an hour.😅
I would have loved to squeeze through there. Fun times!
I will happily go with you if I’m ever in your neck of the woods!! :D