Storm King State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York
Hiking Trails:
Storm King Bypass Trail: White blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze
Total Time: 1:45 hours
Estimated Distance: 2.4 miles
Pros: Great views and very scenic hike
Cons: None
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult (especially in snow conditions)
Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/v3Yf9gt3AJK6max18
I had checked the weather forecast before leaving and the forecast called for light snow. I was surprised how quickly and intense the storm was, though I was properly prepared and had the proper gear.
I parked at the Butter Hill parking on Route 9W, and took the Storm King Bypass Trail along the side of the ridge going northeast. I crossed the Howell Trail and went to the end of the ridge, by the view facing across the river. At this point the snow started, and it came down heavy with whiteout conditions and almost zero visibility. I could see the snow coming in the distance from the viewpoint before it arrived, which was an unforgettable scene. I then took the Stillman Trail back along the top of the ridge, though I missed out on all the north-facing views due to the lack of visibility from the snow.
I continued along the ridge on the Stillman Trail, slowly navigating the downhill parts that were slippery in the snow. At the Butter Hill Summit, the visibility improved and the snow let down a bit. I continued along the Butter Hill Trail at this point, and the view facing the south was now visible. I continued along the Butter Hill Trail, slowly navigating down the challenging parts, back to my car.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Information Plaque at the Beginning of the Hike |
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| View of the Hudson River and Cold Spring at the Parking Area |
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| View from the Bypass Trail, Facing South |
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| Hudson River and Cold Spring |
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| Me at the Above View |
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| The Beginning of the Snow at the View at the Bend of the Ridge |
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| Me at the Snowy View |
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| Snow through the Evergreen Mountain Laurels on the Stillman Trail |
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| Snow Along the Ridge |
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| More Snowy Scenes at Storm King |
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| The Snowy Summit of Butter Hill |
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| Me on Butter Hill |
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| Descending Butter Hill on the Butter Hill Trail |
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| View Facing South near the South of of Butter Hill |
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| North Point and View from Butter Hill |
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| Butter Hill Rocky Area |
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| View of Route 9W at Storm King |
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| Butter Hill View |
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| View of the Parking Area from Butter Hill |
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| Trail Confluence at the Butter Hill, Stillman, and Bluebird Trails |
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| View of Butter Hill while Descending |
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| View of the Hudson River while Descending |
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| View of Bull Hill from Storm King |
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| View of Butter Hill from the Parking Area |
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