Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area and Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York
Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.3 Miles
Pros: Good views, scenic and quiet area, good scrambles
Cons: No other trails in the area, no loop possibility
This was the first Sunday in a while without rain, and it was sunny and warm. I am trying to complete all sections of the Appalachian Trail in my region, and this was helping me complete this segment in the Sterling Forest area.
I parked on East Mombasha Road, near Little Dam Lake, and took the Appalachian Trail up the mountain, where there is somewhat of a view on the top, and then the trail descends very steeply on a rocky scramble before climbing again to the next view. This hike is a constant up and down and contains several scrambles. The next view is a much better view. After the view, I continued down the mountain, parallel to a steep rocky cliff wall. I continued along the trail to Lakes Road, and crossed the road, where the trail goes over a boardwalk. I then turned around and went back the same way that I came.
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| Map of the Route |
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| National Park Service Boundary and AT Marker at the Beginning of the Hike |
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| View after the First Climb |
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| Steep Descent after the First Vista |
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| AT Steep Rocky Scramble Descent |
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| Approaching the Main View on Buchanan Mountain |
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| Buchanan Mountain View, Facing South |
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| View of Tuxedo Ridge Ski Area to the South |
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| Me at the Buchanan Mountain View |
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| View Facing Southeast |
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| Leaving the View at Buchanan Mountain |
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"Pink Ladies Slipper" on the Top of the Mountain
(Thanks Mordy Neuman for the identification.) |
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| Boardwalk at the End of the Hike where I Turned Around |
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| Trail Scrambling Through the Rocky Area |
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| At the Top View Near the End of the Hike after the Scramble Up |
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| Nice Purple Flowers on the Trail |
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| Me at the Trailhead |
OK since I see tHere's no way fer me to be alerted if and when my precious comments are published and/or responded to, I am left therefore with no other option but to pick one constant place - hike comment section (I. E. here, this one) ~ to leave all comments for my followers, fans, paparazzi, haseedem...
ReplyDeleteSo after days of consideration this hike comment section was chosen - in part bc it's the first to pop up on the site.
Anywaaaay, The mighty and fearless mentor, "Heshy The Great" has shown me to fear not the rain. "Rain is for wimps" as be put it. So. .. we head out now in the rain. I would like to also know and see what Martin Luther King was talking about when you said "I have been to the Mountaintop.."