Doris Duke Area Sterling Forest

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Doris Duke Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
Highlands Trail: Blue blaze
Allis Trail: Blue blaze

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

Pros: Very quiet and scenic area
Cons: None

The weather had been hotter than usual. This was finally a break from all the rain, and I appreciated the sun and blue sky. I parked at the Doris Duke trailhead on Benjamin Meadow Road, right near the Tuxedo Ridge ski area. The Doris Duke Trail is a loop trail that is a 3.9 circular loop.

There is a view near the top facing south. After the view, the trail meets with the combined Allis and Highland trail, and goes concurrently with those trails until another view. The trail then descends, makes a sharp turn, and then continues descending down the mountain. The trail then goes alongside a remote swamp that is fully of lily pads and bullfrogs. I continued along the trail until the end of the loop, and then the short distance back to my car. I was surprised how quiet the hike was, and there was only one other car in the trailhead parking area upon my return, despite it being a beautiful Sunday.

Map of the Route

Start of the Doris Duke Trail

Doris Duke Loop Trail Split Near the Start of the Hike

Approaching the First View

From the View, Facing South

Another Angle of the View

Me at the Above View

View Into Harriman State Park

View Facing East

View Facing South

Concurrency of Three Trails: Doris Duke, Allis, and Highlands Trail

View from the Top of the Sterling Mountain Facing Towards Schunnemunk

Another View Facing North Towards Schunnemunk

Train Intersection of Allis/Highlands and Doris Duke Trail at Sterling Mnt.

View Facing Northeast Towards Lake Mombasha and Storm King

Another View Facing Northeast, Zoomed Out

View Facing East from Sterling Mountain

Swamp at the Bottom of the Mountain

Another View of the Swamp

Appalachian Trail Mombasha High Point

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area and Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Allis Trail: Blue blaze
Doris Duke Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.2 Miles

Pros: Very quiet and serene area
Cons: None

I am trying to complete my traversing of the Appalachian Trail in New York State. The previous week featured a hike from Fitzgerald Falls to Sterling Mountain. This trail approaching the same summit but from the other side. I parked on West Mombasha Road, and took the Appalachian Trail westward, along section of boardwalks for several hundred feet. I continued along the tail up the mountain to Mombasha High Point. I then continued along the trail, and then bushwacked for a short distance south to the Doris Duke Trail. I went a short distance on the Doris Duke Trail to the Allis Trail intersection, where there is a nice view facing eastward. I took the Allis Trail to its end at the Appalachian Trail after passing the next view, and then took the Appalachian Trail back east, retracing my steps along the trail back to my car.

Boardwalk at the Beginning of the Hike

Small Pond near the Beginning of the Hike

Dwarf Pines Approaching Mombasha High Point

Ascending Mombasha High Point

Appalachian Trail at Mombasha High Point

View from Mombasha High Point

Another View from Mombasha High Point

Interesting Pine Tress Along the Trail

View from Sterling Mountain, Facing East

Another View

Me at the Above View

Wooden Marker Along the Trail Intersection 

Ascending on the Allis Trail

Allis Trail at the Veiw

Evergreen Trees along the Allis Trail View

Allis Trail View

Me at the Allis Trail View

Marker at the End of the Allis Trail

View Facing North at Mombasha High Point

Another View at Mombasha High Point, Looking at Lake Mombasha

Appalachian Trail at Fitzgerald Falls and Sterling Mountain

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Area and Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Appalachian Trail: White blaze
Allis Trail: Blue blaze
Doris Duke Trail: Yellow blaze
Appalachian Bypass Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:10 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.8 Miles

Pros: Nice waterfall, good climb, good views
Cons: None

Fitzgerald Falls is one of the more impressive waterfalls in the Highlands area. It is better after the rainy season when there is more flow on the cascade. It had been a particularly wet winter, so there was an impressive water flow over the waterfalls.

I parked at Lakes Road pullout at the side of the road at the Appalachian Trail. I took the Appalachian Trail east for about 5 minutes until Fitzgerald Falls. The trail crosses the stream at the outlet of the falls on rocks, and being below freezing, the rocks were icy from the frozen mist and flowing water over the rocks. This caused me to slip in the water, getting all wet and ripping my pants.

I dried out pretty quickly and took the Appalachian Trail up the hill to the Allis Trail. At the Allis Trail there is a nice view facing west, and where the Allis Trail reaches the Doris Duke Trail there is another good view facing east. Took the Allis Trail to the second view, and then bushwacked the short distance back to the Appalachian Trail. I took the Appalachian Trail back the other way and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Fitzgerald Falls with a Strong Flow

Fitzgerald Falls, Zoomed Out

Landscape View of Fitzgerald Falls

Small Cascade Above Fitzgerald Falls

View from Above Fitzgerald Falls

The Last Remaining Pockets of Snow on the North-Facing Slopes

Junction of the Appalachian Trail and Allis Trail

View on the Allis Trail

Another View of the View at the Allis Trail

Same View, Zoomed In

Selfie at the Above View

Junction of the Allis/Doris Duke, and Combined Highlands Trail

Cairn and Marker at the Junction of the Allis/Doris Duke,
and Combined Highlands Trail

 View at the Junction of the Allis/Doris Duke,
and Combined Highlands Trail

Another Angle of the Above View

Frozen Pond on the Appalachian Trail

Bridge Crossing the Trout Brook at the End of the Hike