Butter Hill Snow Loop

Storm King Mountain,
Storm King State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze
Stillman Trail: Yelow blaze

Total Time: 1:00 minutes
Estimated Distance: 1.0 Mile

Pros: Very scenic area and good climb
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of  Difficulty: Difficult, especially in snow

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/xrCSknaV3Y4CxobJ8

Storm King is a beautiful area, especially in the snow. It has snowed about a foot the previous week, so the area was covered with fresh snow except for the sheer rock area. I parked at the Butter Hill trailhead parking, and took the Butter Hill Trail up Butter Hill. After enjoying the great views I took the trail to the very top of Butter Hill, enjoying the 360 degree view, and then took the Stillman Trail down around to the gap. I then took the short cut back to the Butter Hill Trail and then went back to my car.

Map of the Route

Butter Hill from the Trailhead Parking

Ascending Butter Hill

Butter Hill Summit

Stillman Trail in the Fresh Snow

Storm King Mountain from Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead

Storm King State Park
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Highlands Trail: Blue blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Bluebird Trail: Red/Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.3 Miles

Pros: Great views, great climb climb
Cons: Area can be busy
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSd3GUkpaShwiUmr8

It was late fall and there was still nice foliage. The weather was cold in the morning but it gradually warmed up and when I started the hike the weather was beautiful. I parked at the Esty & Hellie Stowell Trailhead in Cornwall, north of Storm King Mountain, and took the Highlands Trail up past the waterfalls to the first and second views. I then connected with the Stillman Trail and took the trail along the side of the mountain towards the top of the ridge. I then continued along the mountain summit, passing the many views along the way. I then took the Bluebird Trail back down to the combined Highlands/Stillman Trail which I then took down the mountain.

Map of the Route

Storm King Mountain from the Trailhead

Information Kiosk at the Trailhead

Meadow Prior to the Ascent

Brook Descending from Storm King Mountain

Waterfalls Cascades Descending Storm King

First View Along the Trail

View Towards the Trailhead

View of Newburgh Bay

Ascending Storm King

View Facing South

View of Bull Hill

View Facing West

Blueberry Foliage

Hudson River

View Facing North

View Facing Newburgh

View Towards Beacon Mountain

Me at the Top View

View from the Bluebird Trail

Approaching the End of the Hike

End of the Hike, with the Last View of Storm King