8. Storm King

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Moderate for children
Distance :	2.5 miles, round trip
Hiking time :	2.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	1350 feet, 400 feet
Hikable :	March-November
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 7

Important Note: During the dry summer of 1999, firefighters on Storm King discovered unexploded artillery shells buried on the mountain. The 1874 acres of state parkland, which lie adjacent to an old military range, were occasionally pelted with wayward rounds until the 1940s, when the United States Military Academy at nearby West Point abandoned the shooting site. Until the ordnance is safely disposed of, the hiking trails on Storm King are closed. Current predictions say that the cleanup operation should be finished sometime during Spring 2002; call Storm King State Park at (845) 786-2701 for the latest update. Until the area reopens, the nearby Black Rock Forest (Hike 9) is a beautiful and secluded alternative offering a variety of trails.

Storm King rises regally from the western bank of the Hudson River, south of Newburgh. The Stillman Trail, which climbs over Butter Hill to Storm King's summit, has suffered from its proximity to the city. The first 0.25 mile is a disturbing testament to human disrespect and interference: garbage litters the parking area and trailhead, graffiti covers the ledges, traffic and construction noise drone incessantly. Nevertheless, civilization at its worst is soon overtaken by nature at its best. Dark caves dot the wooded slopes, scrambles up boulder-strewn hillsides lead to open ledges with splendid views over the Hudson River, generous blueberry bushes engulf the trail. Far away, the crowded roadways snake toward the city and boats jockey for space on the busy river, but you are above it all, in the clouds, hearing only the wind and smelling only the trees.

It's disheartening to hike with the results of carelessness and disregard for the environment, even though the damage is limited to a relatively short section of trail. But climbing past the results of teenage pranks and parties sends a powerful message to kids—especially older kids, for whom this hike is intended—saying more to them in silence than an adult can say with a year's worth of warnings. And there's no doubt that the rewards of this route far outweigh the drawbacks.

From New York City, cross the George Washington Bridge and take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to its end at the Bear Mountain Circle. Continue north on US 9W for 8.5 miles to substantial off-road parking on the right.

From the parking area, walk westward between the highway barricade and the edge of the woods. Watch for Stillman Trail's yellow markers leading northwest into the woods. Stay with the yellow blazes, avoiding the side trails that quickly split left and right. Within the first 0.1 mile, the path embarks on a steep, rugged ascent up Butter Hill. Urge the kids to imitate rabbits. (Since rabbits have longer hind legs than forelegs, they run faster uphill than downhill.) Play "Chase the Rabbit": assign one child to chase the others, the "rabbits," and tell the kids how real rabbits escape. (They crisscross their tracks and take giant leaps to confuse animals following their scent. They also stamp the ground with their hind feet to warn one another of danger.)

The trail quickly opens onto exposed ledge. Can you spot your car in the parking area below? Gazing to the southeast, you can see the Hudson River twisting toward Anthony's Nose (Hike 4). At 0.2 mile, scramble up a steep slab of ledge to reach a loftier plateau with expanding southerly views. From this overlook, the trail cuts left to wind between stone pillars and old cellar holes, and reenters the woods. At 0.35 mile, a blue-blazed trail heads left (west) as you bear right (northeast), continuing to follow the yellow-blazed Stillman Trail. Send the kids ahead to find a massive trailside boulder that has settled to create a small cave. After leading hikers through a hodgepodge of boulders, the trail climbs to another exposed area. Thankfully, you've left the crowds, the litter, and the traffic behind now, and the forest feels peaceful and wild.

Curling right (east), the path climbs with conviction up the rocky ridge, trudging through an area choked with mountain laurel. Although you are forced to take a lot of steps as the trail snakes around the ledge, you are avoiding the steepest grade. After passing briefly through forest illuminated by birch trees, the trail arrives above the southeastern cliffs of Butter Hill. Instruct the kids to follow the blazes carefully, since they guide hikers away from the precipitous edge. Now look down at your car in the parking lot—it looks like a miniature toy! The kids will appreciate this graphic confirmation of how many vertical feet they have climbed (300 feet, to this point). Quickly, the trail cuts left (north) away from the cliffs.

Track through the woods for 0.1 mile before reaching the official summit of Butter Hill, 0.5 mile from the start. Let the kids take turns as king or queen of the mountain, standing on the U.S. Geological Survey marker that identifies the high point. (We once saw a wild turkey here.) What evidence can you find of an old burn all along the Stillman Trail? (Notice the new growth and charred remains—such as the blackened, hollow tree trunks.) From this rock outcropping, views extend northward from nearby Schunemunk Mountain to the distant Catskills. Look eastward to see Beacon Mountain and south toward Bear Mountain and the Bear Mountain Bridge.

Drop off the hill heading northward, still following the yellow-blazed Stillman Trail, and descend through stunted oaks, mountain laurel, and lowbush blueberries. (Pause to pick if you're hiking midsummer.) Two-tenths mile from Butter Hill, avoid a side trail that departs left (west), and stay straight on the Stillman Trail. Struggle over protruding ledge and then climb. Soon, the trail trends downward and bottoms out in a sag before embarking on another ascent between two rock outcroppings at the 1-mile mark.

As you follow a northeasterly course, cropped views emerge of the Hudson River to the north. If the kids are struggling, tell them to look left through the trees. Can they see the blue sky? Behind the trees, the land slopes down: you are getting close to the eastern end of this ridge and Storm King. Listen for the sound of the freight trains that run along the shoreline of the Hudson. Now, heading eastward, work your way up more ledge to reach a grassy plateau with excellent views north up the river.

Drop through thickets of laurel into a wide gorge. In the belly of the gorge, avoid a trail that splits right (south) and continue to follow the yellow blazes of the Stillman Trail. One-tenth mile from the last overlook (and 1.25 miles from the start), the trail crests Storm King, a summit softened by patches of grass. Parents can relax while kids explore the broad, child-safe ridge top with wonderful views up and down the Hudson River. Count boats and islands. Listen for the lonely whistles of the trains. Can you see Constitution Marsh (Hike 7) protruding into the river to the southeast?

Storm King was originally considered part of Butter Hill, but received its current name from a writer who lived at the foot of the mountain. He felt that Storm King was more romantic and more appropriate for this part of the hill. What would you have named it?

As the Stillman Trail continues eastward and descends, reverse direction to return to Butter Hill and then to your car.