Big Hill and Breakneck Pond

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Long Path: Green blaze
Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail: Yellow blaze
Breakneck Mountain Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:00
Estimated Distance: 4.3 miles

Pros: Quiet area, nice view, scenic lake
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Moderate

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QsjW5cduviqD5bMA8

I parked on St. Johns Road at the Long Path trailhead parking, and took the connector trail from the road to the Long Path. I then took the Long Path  southbound through the Mountain Laurel forest, and then crossed Beaver Pond Brook on the wood trail bridge and into the Pine forest. I then passed the plane crash site (see the plaque below) along the trail and then climbed up the mountain to Big Hill.

I enjoyed the view at Big Hill and took a short break at the shelter, and continued south on the Suffern-Bear Mountain Trail to the Breakneck Mountain Trail, which I took for a short distance to the unmarked trail that goes down to Breakneck Pond. After enjoying the views at Breakneck Pond and walking through the AMC Center, I walked along the road back to the Long Path which I took back to my car.

Map of the Route

Trailhead Parking at St. Johns

Connector Path to the Long Path with Mountain Laurel

Long Path Intersection

Mountain Laurel Forest

Beaver Pond Brook Bridge

Flight 6231 Crash Site Memorial

Me at Big Hill

Third Reservoir

Suffern-Bear Mountain-Big Hill Intersection

Breakneck Pond

Storm King and Little Storm King

Storm King State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Butter Hill Trail: Green blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
White Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 1:10
Estimated Distance: 1.4 miles

Pros: Scenic mountain, great climb and great views
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/tGxhCJzqM8soFFEF7

The last time I was at Storm King, I noticed an unmarked trail going to up past the ruins to the Stillman Trail towards the view west of Butter Hill (unofficially called Little Butter Hill.) I decided on this hike to try this trail out, and indeed it was a great shortcut trail. I parked on Route 9W at Butter Hill, and took the trail up to the ruins. After the ruins, instead of continuing slightly down on the trail, I took the unmarked trail north up which led me to the Stillman Trail right near the view, with an excellent view of Cornwall, New Windsor, and Newburgh to the north, and then Black Rock Forest to the South through the short white-blazed spur trail. 

I then went on the Stillman Trail west, and then climbed up the back flank of Butter Hill, which I took to the top of the mountain where there is a 360 degree view. I then turned around and went down via the Butter Hill Trail, which I took down to my car.

Map of the Route

Buter Hill from the Parking Area

Hiking Trailhead

View While Ascending the Butter Hill Trail

Ruins on the Butter Hill Trail

Pine Tree at the Little Butter Hill View

Little Butter Hill Facing North Towards Newburgh

View from Little Butter Hill Facing South Towards North Point

View Ascending Butter Hill from the Stillman Trail

Trail Intersection

View Ascending the Summit of Butter Hill

Butter Hill Summit