Hook Mountain Fall Foliage

Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland County,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Yellow Trail
Long Path: Blue blaze

Total Time: 0:40 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.0 mile
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended for a short hike with great views
Points Of Interest: Amazing views

Google Maps of Parking:

View 2012 Hiking in a larger map

Hook Mountain is a tall promenade on the Palisades, directly north of Nyack. It offers sweeping views of the villages of Upper Nyack and Nyack, as well as the Tappan Zee Bridge, Hudson River, and Rockland Lake. This was a weekday but because of the beautiful foliage I took a quick break from work to do this short and relatively easy hike. Although the weather was gloomy, with a gray sky, the colors on the trees really brightened things up. I parked on the side of the road on 9W as it peaks climbing the mountain, and took the yellow trail which starts here. I don't know the name of this trail as its not on my map. This trail takes you to the top of Hook Mountain, where it meets the Long Path, and there is very large cactus grove here. The views on top of Hook Mountain are really incredible, especially with the foliage. I took the Long Path down the small scramble, and then cut back to the yellow trail and back to my car.

Map of the Route

Looking West on Route 9W

Beginning of the Yellow Trail.

Tappan Zee Bridge and Hudson River from Summit of Hook Mnt.
Looking south.

Rockland Lake and the Northern Portion of Hook Mnt.
Facing North.

Facing northeast. Hudson River Behind Hook Mnt

Cactus Grove on Hook Mountain

Looking Straight Down from Hook Mountain. Facing South.
This picture is naturally colored,
and was not enhanced with Photoshop!

Upper Nyack and Nyack. Facing South.

Nyack and Southern Palisades.
Facing south-southwest.

Nice Picture of Fallen Leaves

Golden Orange Maple Tree near end of Hike

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.