Mine Hill Stillman Trail Terminus

Black Rock Forest
Orange Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Mine Hill Trail: Yellow blaze
Sackett Trail: Yellow blaze
Stillman Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 1:50 hour
Estimated Distance: 2.4 Miles

Pros: Quiet area, nice view
Cons: Very windy area
Hike Type: Back and out
Level of Difficulty: Difficult in snow conditions

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/LLbgQEN1HZDJkaQC8

After last week's epic hike in Black Rock Forest, I decided to hike along more trails in the area that I hadn't been to yet. This time it was the Mine Hill area. The previous day had warm and sunny weather and was in the 50's. However, this morning it was frigid, and as I headed north and drove to a higher elevation, I kept on seeing the temperature dropping. When I started it was 27 degrees, which is cold for late March, but the winds were terribly strong. 

Apparently because this area is along the ridge, it receives very high winds. Once we passed the ridgeline area, the winds became more manageable. Also, as we climbed above the ridge to Mine Ridge, there was a fully coverage of snow, making the hike difficult to traverse. We had to opt for a shorter version of the hike due to the cold and windy weather. 

We parked on Mine Hill Road, in the small parking area right after the bend. We took the short but steep Mine Hill Trail to the view, and then continue along to its terminus at the Sackett Trail. We trudged along in the snow and then reached the Stillman Trail, which we took to its terminus where there a nice view. We then turned around and went the same way back.

Map of the Route

Kiosk at the Trailhead Parking

Start of the Mine Hill Trail

Schunnemunk Mountain from the Mine Hill Trail

View from the Mine Hill Trail

Start of the Snow, on the Sackett Trail

Full Snow Coverage on the Stillman Trail

End of the Stillman Trail

View at the End of the Stillman Trail

View from the Sackett Trail on the Return Route

View from the Mine Hill Trail, on the Return Route