Sterling Mine Sterling Lake Sterling Mountain

Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Sterling Lake Trail: Blue blaze
Lakeville Ironworks Trail: Yellow blaze
Bare Rock Trail: Orange Blaze
Sterling Ridge Trail: Blue blaze

Total Time: 2:20 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Historical area, scenic lake, good view
Cons: Fire Tower closed
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XMxbhQLFwta365kh8

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

I had not been to this area in a while. The intention was to visit the Fire Tower but it turns out the tower was closed for some time now. So instead we opted for the Sterling Ridge view, which was still very good. We parked at the parking lot for the visitor center at Sterling Lake, and took the Lakeville Ironworks Trail through the historical iron mine attractions including the furnace and dumps. We then took the Sterling Lake Trail to the Bare Rock Trail up the mountain. We then took the Sterling Ridge Trail north along the ridge, and took some pictures at the view overlooking the lake. We continued along the ridge a bit more, and then turned around and took the same way down the mountain. We took the Sterling Lake Trail along the scenic south side of Sterling Lake on the way back.

Map of the Route

Sterling Furnace

Lakeville Ghost Town Remaining Home

Sterling Mine from the Lakeville Ironworks Trail

Painter Painting Sterling Lake

Sterling Lake Southern Shore

Me and Yehudah Atop Sterling Mountain

Me at the Sterling Mountain View

Sterling Lake from Sterling Mountain

Sterling Mine Structure

Sterling Lake from the Outlet

Hook Mountain Over Rockland Lake

Hook Mountain State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 1.2 Miles

Pros: Good climb, excellent river views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CtT9tykhMVaahN1v7

This is a short and sweet hike, with a good climb, great view, and short lollipop loop. I took the opportunity to do this hike after work in the evening at the end of the day. I parked at Rockland Lake Landing at the small trailhead parking area the Long Path, and then took the Long Path up the side of the mountain, snaking up Hook Mountain. I then took the unmarked spur path near the top to the view, which is directly above the large quarry, a sheer rock face dropping vertically several hundred feet with the Hudson River right nearby. I continued along this trail along the ledge where it meets with the Long Path, and took the Long Path back down to my car to conclude the hike.

Map of the Route

Informational Plaque on the site of the Historic Knickerbocker Ice Company

Deer in a Fallen Tree on the Trail

Ascending Hook Mountain on the Long Path

Greenery on the Ascent

Me at the View on Top

Tappan Zee Bridge from Hook Mountain

Hudson River and Ossining

View of Hi Tor and the Northern Palisades

View of Sing Sing Prison in Ossining

View Above the Quarry