Description

Soon, the Stillman Trail crosses the dirt White Oak Road. Here, it is joined by the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail, which comes in from the left. The joint Highlands/Stillman Trails now begin a steep climb of Mt. Misery on a footpath. At the top, you'll reach a viewpoint to the west and northwest which is partially obscured by trees. Continue ahead for a short distance, and you'll come to a much better viewpoint, with Black Rock Mountain visible directly ahead, and Aleck Meadow Reservoir below to the left. You'll want to stop here for a few minutes to savor the view and take a break from your arduous climb (you've climbed nearly 700 feet from Ben's Bridge).

Continue ahead on the yellow/teal diamond trail, which begins its descent of Mt. Misery, first gradually and then more steeply. In a rocky area at the base of the descent, you'll notice a triple white blaze, which marks the start of the Scenic Trail. Turn left and follow the white-blazed Scenic Trail, which crosses the blue-blazed Swamp Trail at the end of the rocky area and begins a steady climb of the Hill of Pines, passing through attractive mountain laurel and hemlock.

At the top of the climb, the trail comes out on open rocks, with a spectacular west-facing view. Black Rock Mountain may be seen to the right, and the Black Rock Forest fire tower is to the left. (Despite the name "Hill of Pines," there are only two pine trees near the summit, which is mostly covered with oaks). You'll want to spend some time at this magnificent vantage point!

The trail continues ahead, descends the hill, and soon crosses the dirt Carpenter Road diagonally to the right. It now begins a gradual climb of Rattlesnake Hill. After about ten minutes, you'll reach a viewpoint to the right of the trail (the best view is from a rock ledge adjacent to a large pine tree). The fire tower may be seen straight ahead, and Bog Meadow Pond is to the left. After a short but steep descent and a relatively level stretch, you'll reach a second viewpoint - this one marked by a gnarled, nearly horizontal pine tree. Continue ahead through a dense mountain laurel thicket to the third viewpoint on Rattlesnake Hill, which offers a truly panoramic view from open rocks. Bog Meadow Pond is below to the left, with the rolling hills of Orange County beyond.

After pausing to enjoy the view, continue ahead on the white trail, which begins to descend, first steeply, then more gradually. The trail briefly runs along the southern boundary of Black Rock Forest, with Bog Meadow Pond visible through the trees to the left. After crossing the outlet stream of the pond, the trail passes a register box to the left and reaches the dirt Bog Meadow Road. Turn left and continue along the road, which is marked with the white blazes of the Scenic Trail.

After about five minutes, you'll reach a junction with the yellow-blazed Tower Vue Trail. This junction - which is easily missed - is just before a large rock outcrop, and it is marked by a yellow arrow on the left side of the road, although the trail itself goes off to the right. Turn right and follow the Tower Vue Trail over undulating terrain, through mountain laurel with an understory of blueberry. In about a third of a mile, there is a view of the fire tower from a rock ledge to the left of the trail. Just beyond, the trail begins to run above Arthurs Pond, with views of the pond through the trees to the left.

When the Tower Vue Trail ends at the northern tip of the pond, by the dam, continue on the white-blazed White Oak Trail, immediately bearing left at a fork and crossing below the dam, then following a gravel road. When the White Oak Trail reaches Continental Road at a T-intersection, turn right and follow the road (don't follow the white blazes, which soon turn left and leave the road). At the next junction, marked by a huge white oak tree, continue ahead on Continental Road, as White Oak Road leaves to the right.

In another third of a mile, you'll reach a complex intersection, with a cable barrier straight ahead. Turn right, go around a wooden barrier, and continue ahead on the yellow-rectangle-blazed Stillman Trail (also the route of the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail). Just ahead, as the woods road bears left, continue straight ahead and follow the yellow and teal diamond blazes, which begin a gradual climb of Black Rock Mountain on a footpath.

After a short but very steep climb, you'll reach the summit of the mountain (1,410 feet) amid pitch pines. The panoramic view from the summit includes Schunemunk Mountain and the Metro-North Railroad's Moodna Viaduct to the west, and the Hudson River (crossed by the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge) to the northeast. Again, you'll want to take a break to appreciate the view - the broadest of the entire hike.

The trail turns right and descends gradually. With the wide White Oak Road visible ahead, the trail bears left and joins a woods road. A short distance beyond, the yellow and teal-diamond blazes turn right, but you should continue ahead on the road, now following the white-blazed Black Rock Hollow Trail. This trail continues to descend along the road, with portions rerouted to bypass very eroded sections of the road.

At the base of the descent, the white-blazed trail ends at a filtration plant. Turn right onto the blue-blazed Reservoir Trail and follow it around the plant and along the brook to a junction with the red-blazed Duggan Trail just before Ben's Bridge. Turn sharply left onto the red-blazed trail and follow it uphill to the parking area where the hike began.