This 5.7-mile moderate-to-strenuous loop hike in Black Rock Forest (Orange County, New York) climbs to the summits of Whitehorse Mountain, Hill of Pines and Rattlesnake Hill, with panoramic views. The hike also passes by the scenic Upper Reservoir and follows along a cascading brook. Although no part of the hike is exceptionally difficult, the hike involves a total ascent of over 1,000 vertical feet. The hike should take about four hours, and dogs are permitted on leash. A free trail map is available online at www.blackrockforest.org/trail-map
The 3,920-acre Black Rock Forest, traversed by the hike, is owned and managed for field research and education by a private nonprofit consortium. It is open to the public for hiking, but its primary mission is to advance scientific understanding of the natural world through research, education and conservation programs. Along the way (especially towards the end of the hike), you may notice some trees painted with large blue numbers. These numbers were placed on the trees as part of a forest-wide research study.
To get there from Bergen County, take the Palisades Interstate Parkway north to its terminus at the Bear Mountain Circle and continue north on US 9W for 8.8 miles. About half a mile after passing a parking area marked with a blue sign, turn right onto Mountain Road. Immediately, turn right again and proceed through a very narrow underpass beneath US 9W. (Large vehicles may not fit.) Bear left at the next intersection and continue ahead for 0.2 mile to a parking area for Black Rock Forest on the right. There is a $5 parking fee (payable at a kiosk in the parking area). GPS address: 80 Reservoir Road, Cornwall, NY 12518. The trailhead is about 50 miles from Teaneck, and it should take about 60 minutes to get there.
From the parking area, climb stone steps to the road at a sign “Access to Stillman and Highlands Trails only.” Cross the road (just before the gate), and you will see a yellow blaze of the Stillman Trail and a teal diamond blaze of the Highlands Trail. Enter the woods and follow the yellow-and-teal-diamond-blazed trail uphill. This section of the hike is in Storm King State Park. The trail follows a winding path up Whitehorse Mountain, climbing gradually at first, then more steeply.
After a short, level section, the trail climbs gently to the first summit of the mountain. Along the way, there are limited northwest-facing views through the trees. On a clear day, you can see the Shawangunk and Catskill Mountains in the distance. The trail descends a little, climbs to a second summit, then begins a steady descent.
Soon, the Upper Reservoir of Black Rock Forest is visible ahead through the trees. The trail curves to the right and skirts the edge of the reservoir, crossing back into Black Rock Forest. After crossing the inlet of the reservoir, the Stillman Trail reaches the gravel Reservoir Road. Here, the yellow blazes turn right, but you should turn left, leaving the Stillman Trail, and follow the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail along the gravel road. The road curves to the right and soon reaches a T-intersection, with a broad view over the reservoir on the left.
Turn left here, leaving the Highlands Trail, and follow a woods road along the shore of the reservoir. This road is also the route of a gas pipeline, marked by yellow posts. At the end of the reservoir, continue ahead on the road/pipeline. (Do not follow a road marked with orange blazes that goes off to the left.)
Soon, you will see a triple-blue blaze on a tree stump to the right. This marks the start of the blue-blazed Swamp Trail. Turn right and follow this trail, which crosses gravel-filled cribs over a wet area. In a short distance, you’ll reach a fork. Here, the white-blazed Hill of Pines Trail goes off to the left, but you should bear right and continue along the blue-blazed Swamp Trail, which follows a woods road. It first parallels a stone wall on the right, then crosses several stone walls.
In a third of a mile, after passing a wetland on the left, you’ll reach an intersection with the white-blazed Scenic Trail. (This intersection is marked by a large cairn and a sign for the Scenic Trail.) Turn left onto the Scenic Trail and begin 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 panoramic southwest-facing view. The Black Rock Forest fire tower may be seen on the right. (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 Scenic Trail now descends the hill, passing interesting lichen-covered rocks on the way down. It climbs over a small rise and, after crossing the dirt Carpenter Road diagonally to the right, begins a gradual climb of Rattlesnake Hill. In about 10 minutes, an unmarked trail on the right leads to a rock ledge adjacent to a large pine tree, with a broad west-facing view. 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 pass a second viewpoint from a rock ledge just before reaching a gnarled, nearly horizontal pine tree. Continue ahead through a dense mountain laurel thicket to the third viewpoint on Rattlesnake Hill, marked by two large pine trees (and one small one) amid the oaks. Bog Meadow Pond is directly below, with the rolling hills of Orange County beyond.
After pausing to enjoy the view, continue ahead on the white-blazed Scenic Trail, which begins to descend, first steeply, then more gradually. The trail briefly parallels the southern boundary of Black Rock Forest. (This trail section may be very wet after heavy rains.) A quarter mile after crossing the inlet stream of the pond, the trail reaches the dirt Bog Meadow Road. Here, the white-blazed Scenic Trail turns left, but you should turn right and follow the road. A short distance ahead, Carpenter Road leaves to the right, but you should continue ahead on Bog Meadow Road, which begins a steady descent, paralleling a cascading stream on the right.
At the base of the descent, you’ll reach a T-intersection with White Oak Road. Turn right onto White Oak Road, which offers views of Aleck Meadow Reservoir through the trees on the left. Soon, the blue-blazed Swamp Trail begins to the right, and a gated side road goes off to the left. Just beyond, the yellow-blazed Stillman Trail (also the route of the teal-diamond-blazed Highlands Trail) crosses, but you should continue ahead on White Oak Road.
After passing between Honey Hill (on the left) and Mt. Misery (on the right), White Oak Road begins a steady descent and curves sharply to the right. At the end of the curve, the yellow-blazed Stillman Trail crosses (for the second time). Turn left, leaving White Oak Road, and descend rather steeply, following the yellow blazes.
When the yellow-blazed trail turns right to cross a stream, continue ahead along the left side of the stream. (Do not cross it.) You’re now following the blue blazes of the Reservoir Trail, which descends alongside this picturesque cascading stream.
In 500 feet, you’ll reach an intersection with the white-blazed Honey Hill Trail. (The intersection is marked by a large sign.) Turn right onto the Honey Hill Trail and cross the Malley’s Mill Bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn sharply left onto the unmarked Sybil’s Path—a wide path that leads gently downhill, reaching the parking area where the hike began in 0.6 mile. Along the way, you’ll pass a panoramic west-facing viewpoint.
This hiking article is provided by Daniel Chazin of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. The Trail Conference is a volunteer organization that builds and maintains over 2,000 miles of hiking trails and publishes a library of hiking maps and books. The Trail Conference’s office is at 600 Ramapo Valley Road (Route 202), Mahwah; (201) 512-9348; www.nynjtc.org. Daniel Chazin can be reached at [email protected].
