Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond: Bluebird Trail

Sunday, November 5, 2023

Storm King Mountain from Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead

Storm King State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Highlands Trail: Blue blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Bluebird Trail: Red/Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.3 Miles

Pros: Great views, great climb climb
Cons: Area can be busy
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSd3GUkpaShwiUmr8

It was late fall and there was still nice foliage. The weather was cold in the morning but it gradually warmed up and when I started the hike the weather was beautiful. I parked at the Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead in Cornwall, north of Storm King Mountain, and took the Highlands Trail up past the waterfalls to the first and second views. I then connected with the Stillman Trail and took the trail along the side of the mountain towards the top of the ridge. I then continued along the mountain summit, passing the many views along the way. I then took the Bluebird Trail back down to the combined Highlands/Stillman Trail which I then took down the mountain.

Map of the Route

Storm King Mountain from the Trailhead

Information Kiosk at the Trailhead

Meadow Prior to the Ascent

Brook Descending from Storm King Mountain

Waterfalls Cascades Descending Storm King

First View Along the Trail

View Towards the Trailhead

View of Newburgh Bay

Ascending Storm King

View Facing South

View of Bull Hill

View Facing West

Blueberry Foliage

Hudson River

View Facing North

View Facing Newburgh

View Towards Beacon Mountain

Me at the Top View

View from the Bluebird Trail

Approaching the End of the Hike

End of the Hike, with the Last View of Storm King

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Storm King Mountain Northern Portion

Storm King Mountain Northern Portion
Storm King State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Highlands Trail: Blue blaze
Bluebird Trail: Red/Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.7 Miles

Pros: Great climb, amazing views
Cons: Limited Parking
Hike Type: Back and out
Level of Difficulty: Difficult in snow conditions

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/6AW2BhcbYJvF1eLW6

I have been to Storm King Mountain many times, but haven't been at the trails on the northern approach of the mountain. I decided to do this hike and see how far I get up the mountain, and ended up without realizing it reaching the Butter Hill Summit.

I parked at the beginning of the Stillman Trailhead on Mountain Road. This is a small parking area and I suspect it fills up quickly during good weather on weekends. On my visit there was just one other car here. The trail is a wide path and former road so it's easy walking for the beginning of the hike. There was some patch snow at the beginning, but as I climbed the snow cover increased, and when I got the real ascent it was full snow cover.

I took the Stillman Trail to the intersection of the Highlands Trail, and took the short spur north to the view over the Hudson River and Newburgh. I then went south, ascending the mountain gradually on the combined Stillman/Highlands Trail. At the start of the Bluebird Trail I took it further up. This trail is quite steep in some places, and especially with snow was a bit treacherous. I had planned to turn around at the Bluebird Trail view, but I decided to push myself a bit longer to the trail terminus back at the Stillman Trail. Once I got here I realized it's not that much further to the top, so continued on the trail to the Summit of Butter Hill. I then turned around and went back on the Stillman Trail to the Bluebird Trail, then taking the old woods road by the abandoned homes, back to the Stillman Trail and back to my car.