Hike Reviews
August 29, 2018
Challenging hike with terrific views
This is a very challenging hike with many great views of the Hudson River, the Central Valley, and NYC on a clear day. Trails are well marked. Definitely a hike worth checking out!
March 22, 2017
Awesome views!
Did this hike on the first day of Spring, however it was a week after a major snowstorm and it was more like a midwinter hike. The previous postings all attest to the tough ascent at the start. It was definitely hard, made more so by the 2 feet of snow. Still, taking one's time and using trekking poles made it enjoyable. The views from the two summits were a great reward for the work. Total time with stops for pics, etc.: 2 hours, 10 minutes.
August 28, 2016
Very nice
<p>Did this yesterday. Enoyable day out. I say people with dogs, baby carrier on the back, kids all make the trip. Think it'll be taxing for the kids/dogs...but for adults (even out of shape ones) it should be manageable. </p>
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<p>Identifying the parking lot may be a bit of a problem, but after that it's all simple. </p>
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<p>Follow the Orange Trail. The starting 15-20 mins is the tough part and has a bit of ascends and rock scrambling. Nothing really difficult though. Near the end of Orange trail you reach woods and safe from direct sunlight rest of the trip. </p>
<p>There are 2 overlooks, the first one you see is the smaller one (and most poeple incl us thought that was it) but 5 mins later you reach a ledge with a much bigger view. </p>
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<p>Continue on forwards through the Blue/Yellow trail and it leads to White Trail. Continue on the whites and you reach the parking lot again.</p>
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<p>Took us about 3.5 hrs at a very relaxed pace. </p>
June 15, 2014
A little more than a stroll in the park
<p>Hiked this trail with kids today to celebrate Father's Day. Some good climbing right off the parking lot. All of the hard work is over after the first 1/2 hour. Great views from the top--360 degree panorama worth the effort. More challenging than typical nature walk, but all my kids (from 7 to 15 years old) had fun. Highly recommended for the views.</p>
October 06, 2013
excellent views
<p>Hiked this yesterday - it took about 1:40 mins with a few stops along the way. At the end, the white blazed bypass trail now goes all the way back to the parking lot and is well marked. The trail was also clear -- any fallen trees have been cleared.</p>
April 08, 2013
Rewarding hike
<p>Hiked this on Sunday April 7th and it took exactly 2.5 hours with several short stops along the way. The parking lot was almost full at noon. The directions were quite accurate. We had a clear view from the summit of Butter Hill with a view all the way north to the Catskills. The "burned" out section mentioned in paragraph four seems to have mostly recovered as we noticed only a few remnants of a fire. The view of Banerman's Castle aided by binoculars was very interesting from our vantage point. The unmarked "road" toward the end of the hike appeared to us as a clear foot path. Some old faded white blazes were noted along the way as well. We encountered a major jumble of blowdowns which required climbing under and over the trees. But that was the last obstacle before the parking lot. Unfortunately, that spot also included some large items of trash as well. Overall, this hike includes some great views, challenging hiking and some local history into relatively short mileage.</p>
December 03, 2012
Hiked this trail onSunday,
<p>Hiked this trail on Sunday, Nov 25th. The views are even more spectacular than described. One note though toward the end of the hike when the trail turns left and you are to continue straight on an old road, though, the narrative indicates its distinct, It's really not! Though there's a path you're unlikely to think its an old road. Perhaps it's more distinct as you go. We didn't follow it and exited south of our entry requiring a walk along 9w to reach our car. </p>
August 25, 2012
Hiked this trail today and it
<p>Hiked this trail today and it doesn't disappoint! The views are spectacular and appear around almost every bend in the trail. The only other comment I'd make is that the hike duration is significantly overstated. Even leaving time to enjoy the views, this is a 1 hour and 30 minute (maybe 1:45) hike. Enjoy!</p>
December 27, 2011
Storm King Woods Road From Butter Hill Parking
<P>The old road bed connecting the Howell Trail to the Butter Hill parking on Route 9W is not a trail. It was blazed at one point and some of the blazes may still be visible. The Palisades Interstate Park authorities have specifically asked us to not maintain it and to remove the blazes. We may need to do a bit more removal. In the past the Park management has removed blow downs for easier access in case of fire or rescue but they've not done so in the last year or so though they do know about the downed trees.</P>
December 26, 2011
Boxing Day Hike
<p>Did this hike pretty much as described with the family today. This is a low effort, high reward hike with many spectacular overlooks for its 2.5 miles - my favourite is on the stillman trail just past the bypass intersection looking south - we stopped here for lunch and some solitude - the other hikers on the trails today don't seem to have got past the north facing overlook. One variation from the hike description and the maps - the white bypass trail appears to be blazed all the way back to the parking lot and doesn't end where it meets the howell trail. two or three downed trees block the path at the end there - if you have small kids you might find this a problem.</p>