Rockneath?

[Brom Vermeulen]

In his book "Harriman Trails: A Guide and History", author William Myles describes "Rockneath", a cabin built against a large boulder just north of Almost Perpendicular off the Blue Disc Trail in Harriman Park. It's described as having windows, a fireplace, double deck bunks and a spring nearby. Although it was built in 1928, it seemed to me that there might be remains of such an elaborate structure, and I decided to try to  find it.

What I found is pretty interesting, but I'm not sure it's Rockneath. It has a door, a window and a fireplace, but being only about 4 feet high inside, double deck bunks seem unlikely, and there's no spring nearby. Myles says the cabin was built "against" the rock, this shelter is completely under the rock, but that makes the name "Rockneath" fit quite well.

Others come here; there are 2 wine bottles inside (vintage 2010), and a skilled wood carver carved a face on a tree just outside the door. Does anyone know, is this "Rockneath"?

[njHiking.com]

I don't know for sure but based on the the fact that bunk-beds wouldn't fit, I don't think it's Rockneath. I was curious so I tried poking around online a bit but got nowhere.

It's always interesting what you can find rambling around the woods...

Dawn

[tom antonacchio]

Looks like Claudius Smith's Den to me...haven't been there in a few years so I might be wrong.

[Brom Vermeulen]

It's definitely not Claudius Smith's Den, which is about 1/2 mile NE of this shelter. On a recent trip, I found another similar, but smaller, cave, not far from the first. This one actually has some of the stonework cemented in place. The search for Rockneath continues!