Hudson Highlands Nature Center, and Black Rock Forest

Cornwall
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Pond Trail: Blue blaze
Field Trail: Red blaze
Highlands Trail: Yellow blaze
McKeon Loop Trail: White blaze
Woodland Trail: Orange blaze
Stowell Loop Trail: Teal blaze

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.9 Miles

Pros: Lots of trails in area
Cons: Views aren't great and some of trails snake too much

The Hudson Highlands Nature Center is located near Storm King State Park and Black Rock Forest. It contains many trails, a childrens nature discovery area, and signs along the lakes. It has a newly blazed trail that climbs up the mountain and affords views, and another new trail connecting to Black Rock Forest.

The weather was damp, but it was not actively raining until the end of the hike. I nearly did all the trails in the area, except for a small part of the Teal Trail that I was unable to complete due to the rain combined with time constraints.

I parked in the parking area off Muser Road, which is right near Route 9W. I took the Pond Trail to the lookout over Goose Pond, and then along the other part of the pond trail. I then took the combined Stowell Loop and Field trail to Muskrat Pond, then continued on the Highlands Trail as it climbed uphill, to the McKesson Loop Trail. I took the McKesson Loop to its terminus where I first went on the trail, and passed several views along rh way. The views are somewhat obscured by large trees. I continued along the Highlands Trail back down, to the Woodland Trail in its entirety back to the Highlands Trail, and then took the Stowell Loop Trail back, along the stone wall and back to the Muskrat Pond. I then took the other let of the Field Trail back down towards Goose Pond, and then back to the visitors center parking area.

Map of the Route

Map of the Trails Show to be my a Nature Center Employee

Goose Pond

Overlook from the Pond Trail

Muskrat Pond

Information Plaque at the Property Line of Black Rock Forest

Overlook Facing Northwest

Above View, Zoomed Out

View Facing North

View Facing West Looking at Schunnemunk Mountain

View Facing North

Red Eft Salamander - There were Hundreds of These

View Facing Northeast, Towards the Hudson River

View of Hudson River

View of the Mountain I Climbed from the Views Above, near the Trailhead

Storm King Mountain

Storm King State Park,
Orange County,
New York

Estimated Length: 3 Miles
Estimated Time: 2.5 Hours

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy Rosenberg


I haven't been to Storm King in a long time and had forgotten what a great mountain this is. It offers continuous views throughout the hike and is one of the best hike's in the area when it comes to view points. I had intented upon taken a longer route but Shimmy had hurt his foot the prior week and in the middle of the hike needed to bail out early due to his foot pain which was rekindled.

We started at the parking area on Rt. 9W and took the yellow-blazed Stillman Trail up to the rocky summit of Butter Hill. This is a short but steep climb. Atop Butter Hill, which is actually the true summit of Storm King Mountain at 1380 feet, there is a great view looking back at 9W, and across The Clove to the Crow's Nest. Continuing along the trail you can also see views west to Schunemunk Mountain and the small towns of Orange County. The weather was rainy so the views were a bit obscured, but it did clear up in the middle of the hike. We veered off the Stillman Trail to the Bluebird Trail, and took the Bluebird trail partially down the mountain and back again to the Stillman Trail, where we ascending back up on the northern side of the mountain. This part of the trail affords great views of Newburgh and the Newburgh Bay on the Hudson River directly below the mountain.

The Stillman trail bears south at the edge of the mountain, and then hits this unbelievable view which overlooks the south and the east. Directly across the river is Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) and to the south is the Crow's Nest. From the view took the Bypass Trail back straight toward the parking area.

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Map of the route

Once again I only had my phone camera so photo quality is poor.

Butter Hill from the trailhead.


Another view of Butter Hill while ascending


Looking down to Route 9W while climbing
Butter Hill.


View from Butter Hill facing south
towards the Crow's Nest.


View west towards Highlands.
Storm King Mountain is covered in clouds.


Shimmy on a boardwalk along a narrow
part of the Stillman Trail


Looking north toward Newburgh Bay
on the Hudson from the Stillman Trail


Newburgh Bay with Pollopel Island.
Looking North.


Facing south towards Cold Spring across the Hudson.


Breakneck Ridge across the river.
Facing east.


Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus) across the Hudson.
Facing east.


On the Bypass Trail heading back towards
parking area. Butter Hill is up ahead.


Signs at the parking area off Rt. 9W.