Harriman Hiker: Harriman State Park and Beyond

Monday, August 31, 2026

Minisceongo Falls

Harriman State Park
Rockland Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Minisceongo Falls Trail: Unblazed

Total Time: 0:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 0.7 Miles

Pros: Nice waterfalls
Cons: Trail isn't in great shape
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YmNVAZg5MeezyaDk9

It had been a very rainy July, with several big storms leading to lots of water in the streams. I went to Minisceongo Falls as I figured the water level was very high, which made the waterfalls very impressive. This waterfalls is very easy to access but there is no official trail and it's not on any maps, making it a hidden gem at the entrance to Harriman. I parked at the Suffern-Bear Mountain trailhead at the Fire Tower area, and took the unofficial path along the side of the stream down to the falls, and then turned back and went the same way back.

Map of the Route

Upper Falls

Minisceongo Creek

Middle Falls

Above the Main Falls

Main Falls at Minisceongo Falls

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Storm King Summer Loop

Storm King State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze
Storm King Bypass Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:15 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Good climb, good scramble, and good view
Cons: Limited parking
Hike Type: Loop
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V62QDBjYiMwQFUS76

Hiking Partner:
Yehudah Koblick

This was a warm summer day, and we decided to do the loop atop Storm King Mountain. We parked at the Butter Hill Parking area on Route 9W. The parking lot was almost full as it fills up quickly on weekends, but there were still a few spots available. We took the Butter Hill Trail up the scramble, and enjoyed the view. We continued up to the top of Butter Hill, where we took the Stillman Trail atop the ridge to the view facing north to Newburgh at the top of Storm King Proper. We then took the Storm King Bypass Trail down along the south face of the mountain back to our car.

Map of the Route

Information Plaque at the Start of the Hike

Scramble Up Butter Hill

View of Bull Hill on the Ascent

Continuing Up Butter Hill

Butter Hill View of Parking Area

View of Hudson River

Trail Intersection at Buttter Hill

Butter Hill

Fresh Ripe Blueberries

Butter Hill Summit

Storm King Summit

View of the Hudson River and Newburgh

View of the Hudson River and Breakneck Ridge

View of Newburgh

View of Butter Hill from the Bypass Trail

Sunday, July 12, 2026

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.