Sterling Forest State Park
Orange Co.
New York
Hiking Trails:
Doris Duke Loop Trail: Yellow blaze
Highlands Trail: Blue blaze
Allis Trail: Blue blaze
Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.9 Miles
Pros: Very quiet and scenic area
Cons: None
The weather had been hotter than usual. This was finally a break from all the rain, and I appreciated the sun and blue sky. I parked at the Doris Duke trailhead on Benjamin Meadow Road, right near the Tuxedo Ridge ski area. The Doris Duke Trail is a loop trail that is a 3.9 circular loop.
There is a view near the top facing south. After the view, the trail meets with the combined Allis and Highland trail, and goes concurrently with those trails until another view. The trail then descends, makes a sharp turn, and then continues descending down the mountain. The trail then goes alongside a remote swamp that is fully of lily pads and bullfrogs. I continued along the trail until the end of the loop, and then the short distance back to my car. I was surprised how quiet the hike was, and there was only one other car in the trailhead parking area upon my return, despite it being a beautiful Sunday.
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| Map of the Route |
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| Start of the Doris Duke Trail |
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| Doris Duke Loop Trail Split Near the Start of the Hike |
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| Approaching the First View |
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| From the View, Facing South |
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| Another Angle of the View |
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| Me at the Above View |
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| View Into Harriman State Park |
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| View Facing East |
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| View Facing South |
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| Concurrency of Three Trails: Doris Duke, Allis, and Highlands Trail |
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| View from the Top of the Sterling Mountain Facing Towards Schunnemunk |
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| Another View Facing North Towards Schunnemunk |
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| Train Intersection of Allis/Highlands and Doris Duke Trail at Sterling Mnt. |
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| View Facing Northeast Towards Lake Mombasha and Storm King |
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| Another View Facing Northeast, Zoomed Out |
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| View Facing East from Sterling Mountain |
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| Swamp at the Bottom of the Mountain |
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| Another View of the Swamp |
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