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

Townsend Trail View at Sterling Forest

Sterling Forest State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Long Meadow Extension Trail: Green blaze
Townsend Trail: Orange blaze

Total Time: 1:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.9 Miles

Pros: Nice view, few people here
Cons: Trails more like roads, houses in area

Hiking Partner: Shimmy Rosenberg

This was the coldest day of the season, and perhaps even the year. The temperature was about 10 degrees when we left for the hike, and to make matters worse the winds were very strong, especially when we got to the top of the mountain. We were both well dressed with many layers, and no exposure. The sky was gray and dreary, and it has just snowed a few inches the day before, so there was a layer of fresh snow.

We parked off Route 17A by Clinton Road, and had a difficult time finding the Long Meadow Extension Trail as we expected to see blazes at the parking trailhead. In the end we walked back along the dead end road off Clinton Road and then found the trail off Clinton Road. We took the Long Meadow Extension Trail a short distance to the Townsend Trail, which climbs up slowly via a woods road. Near the top, the trail veers off the woods road and ascends towards a view of Indian Kill Reservoir, and the Sterling Forest Ski area. We took some photos at the view, then turned around and went back along the same route.

Map of the Route

Outdoor Temperature Prior to Leaving on the Hike

Me at the Hikers Trailhead Parking Sign

Me on the Townsend Trail

Approaching Near the Vista

Me Heading Over to the Vista

Selfie with Me and Shimmy

Snow Covered Summit

View of Sterling Forest

Same View, Zoomed In

Overlooking Indian Kill Reservoir

Snow Covered Rock

Shimmy at the View

Shimmy Overlooking the Scenery

Me in front of Indian Kill Reservoir

Me in Full Arctic Weather Gear

From the View Looking Behind