Allis Trail at Sterling Forest

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Allis Trail: Blue blaze
Sterling Valley Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:05 minutes
Estimated Distance: 4.6 Miles

Pros: Very quiet area  (didn't meet anyone on the hike)
Cons: Not enough views on trail, noise from cars on road
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/87nWJeCh6f6mTf1B6

Route 17A climbs a nice ridge in Sterling Forest to an elevation of 1200 feet between Tuxedo and Greenwood Lake. Along the road there are great views facing east. I never had the opportunity to take the Allis Trail parallel to the road, and figured there would be great views along this trail. I was disappointed that they were much more limited then I had hoped for. Nevertheless, there was a viewpoint at the end near the pine grove after the gas line. I still recommend the trail for its peace and tranquility. 

I parked at the trailhead parking on Route 17A at the Sterling Valley and Allis trailheads, and crossed the road to the Allis Trail terminus, and took the trail north along the ridge and parallel to the road. After passing the gas line, I ascended the mountain to the pine grove and found a nice view here.

After the second pine grove along the top part of the ridge, I turned around back along the same way, and took a detour to the east side of Route 17A, to the top of a sweeping ridge and view. I then continued on a short bushwhack and then want back to the road, and then took the Sterling Valley Trail back to my car.

Map of the Route

Allis Trail Trailhead

Along the Allis Trail

At the Gas Line

View Ascending the Summit Towards the Pine Grove

The Pine Grove

Greenwood Lake in the Distance

Gas Line View

View from Route 17A

Sterling Forest Townsend Long Meadow Extension Loop

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Townsend Trail: Orange with Green Stripe
Long Meadow Extension Trail: Green with White Stripe

Total Time: 1:55 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.7 Miles

Pros: Very quiet area, good views
Cons: Return Trail lacks excitement

As Coronavirus continues I am hiking in isolation by myself, in remote areas. This is not a popular hiking area, and it was also raining in the morning and in the afternoon, so people were not out hiking. I had a unique window of opportunity to hike between the morning and afternoon rains, but it was gray and damp.

Nevertheless, this is a very good hike and highly recommended. It's got two great views and is very quiet and peaceful. I parked at the parking area off Clinton Road directly off Route 17A, and took the Townsend Trail up the mountain to the view. I then continued along the trail to the next view, and then descended the mountain on the trail, passing a small but very scenic pond along the way. I took the trail to the end, at the parking area on Orange Turnpike, and walked on the road for a short distance past the Southfields furnace, and to the Long Meadow Extension Trail. This trail is a double-width path, and is mostly unremarkable. It also functions as a bike path, and can be walked on relatively quickly. It was very wet and muddy from all the rain. I took this trail to the end and and then back to my car.

Map of the Route

Confluence of the Townsend and Long Meadow Extension Trails

Approaching the View on a Large Rock Face

Rock Cairn Approaching the View

View from the Townsend Trail, Facing East

View of Route 17A from the View

Indian Kill Reservoir from the Summit View

At the View Facing North

Large Bedrock Face Approaching the Next View 

View Facing East

The Same View, Zoomed In

View Facing South

Small Pond Descending the Mountain on the Townsend Trail

Water Cascading Down the Dam of the Small Pond

Southfields Furnace at the End of the Townsend Trail

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