Raymond H. Torrey is, for all and intents and purposes, the “Father of Harriman State Park”:
“He was a New York newspaperman, was a prolific writer, tireless trailblazer, exuberant hiker, unyielding conservationist, volunteer organizer, political lobbyist and diplomat. It was Torrey’s genius for organization that put the first miles of the Appalachian Trail on the ground, converting Benton MacKaye’s “crackpot” dream into a walker’s reality. Nearly forgotten today except within his home territory of New York and New Jersey, he was the archetypal volunteer organizer and trail builder.”
Harriman Hikers 