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.

Long Path near Rockhouse Mountain

Harriman State Park,
Rockland and Orange Counties,
New York

Estimated Length: 3 Miles
Estimated Time: 1:15 Hours


I took a quick morning hike before coming into work - trying to get in as much as I can before the end of the summer. My goal was to do a hike that is short and not strenuous. I parked at the parking area at Lake Skanatati off 7 Lakes Drive, and took some good photos of both Lake Skanatati and Lake Askoti (I wish I had my good camera which I had sent in to be repaired). Took the Long Path south up and past Gate Hill Road, and then to Beech Trail. Turned east on the Beech Trail to Gate Hill Road, and walked back towards the Long Path along the side of the road.

I had always wondered what the "Rock House" was on the map, so went off the road to a short unmarked path off the road near the location on the Trail Conference Map describing the location of the "Rock House". It seems that it is a large rock face along the edge of a cliff with a cave-like hole in it. I took some photos and continued back to the Long Path and back to the car.

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Map of the route.

Lake Skanatati. At the trailhead.

Lake Askoti.
Taken from cell phone camera.
Imagine this shot from a real camera!


The Long Path.


Beginning of the Beech Trail at the Long Path.


The "Rock House".