Storm King Snow Hike

Storm King State Park,
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Butter Hill Trail: Orange blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.0 Miles

Pros: Quiet area (except for parking area), nice lake views
Cons: None

This hike was five days after a snowstorm. Much of the area received a mix of rain and snow, but further north at higher elevations featured full snow cover. I figured I would go to the highest area within a short drive to the north. This was a good choice because there was full snow cover of about 6 inches. The hiking conditions were quite difficult with the snow combined with a layer of slippery ice. I had intended to do a longer hike, but due to the difficult conditions turned back earlier.

I parked at the Storm King parking area on Route 9W, and took the Butter Hill Trail up to the summit of Butter Hill. There are great views along much of the part up, with a climax at the summit of Butter Hill with a 360 degree view at the end of the Butter Hill Trail at the Stillman Trail. I took the Stillman Trail further east, and then turned around and took the same route back down.

Map of the Route

View a the Beginning of the Hike, Looking East to Bull Hill

New Plaque at the Storm King Butter Hill Trailhead

Me Ascending the Trail on the Butter Hill Trail

View Ascending Butter Hill.

View from Butter Hill, Looking West to Schunnemunk

Route 9W Snaking Across Storm King

Hudson River from Butter Hill Facing Cold Spring

View from Butter Hill Facing Northwest

View Facing Southwest

Facing South Towards Route 9W

End of the Butter Hill Trail

Me atop Butter Hill at the Summit, Facing South

Me atop Butter Hill at the Summit, Facing West

Rocky Area at Butter Hill

From Butter Hill, Facing West

Butter Hill Summit, Facing Northeast

Butter Hill Summit, Facing North

Me at the Butter Hill Summit, Facing North

Me at the Butter Hill Summit, Facing Northeast

Butter Hill Summit, Facing East Towards the Hudson River

Butter Hill Summit, Facing Southeast