Meeting location
175 Street Station, Manhattan, NY
This is a perfect hike for women who want to exercise in Nature, enjoy stunning views, make new friends and have a ton of fun in a judgement-free small group.
This is a moderate 5.5-mile hike, you have to be in good enough shape to walk 4 to 5 hours in cold weather on a strenuous terrain with ascents and descents. We choose hikes based on how capable we are feeling or the size of the challenge we want. In either case, we end up mentally feeling the same: accomplished and clear minded.
You will meet your group and your guide in Manhattan, 175st subway station or in Fort Lee NJ, at 10AM and hit the road in a comfortable van to the stunning Silver forest located near Tuxedo Park, Upstate New York.
This beautiful trail traverses Sterling Ridge, includes a fire tower, offers great views and a walk along scenic Sterling Lake.
Our hike starts over a small rise and then levels off. Soon, the trail begins to run along the edge of a ravine, gradually descending, with views to the left through the trees (the views are even better in Winter time!). The trail crosses a seasonal stream and then begins to ascend. On our way we will pass an old red cedar tree growing out of a crack in the rock along the Sterling Ridge Trail. After a short but steady ascent we’ll reach a panoramic viewpoint over Sterling Lake to the east, with a log supported by stones serving as a bench.
The trail then climbs to another viewpoint over Sterling Lake from open rocks. It continues over undulating terrain, and after traversing an area dominated by hemlock and mountain laurel, reaches a ranger cabin and the Sterling Forest Fire Tower, about 3.5 miles from the start of the hike.
The view from the top of the fire tower, built in 1922, is well worth the climb. Sterling Lake is visible to the northeast, and a portion of the much-larger Greenwood Lake can be seen to the west. A picnic table at the base of the tower makes it a good place to stop for lunch (if it is too cold we will eat our picnic at the Visitor Center on the way back).
The second part of our hike (2 miles) passes the stone foundations of a former church, the ruins of the Sterling Furnace, and the concrete and brick remnants of former mining operations.
Just beyond these ruins, we’ll enjoy beautiful views of Sterling Lake, and it’s also a chance to take gorgeous photos.
Our hike finishes at the Sterling Lake Visitor center parking lot (inside a very interesting geological exhibit to learn more about the area, restrooms and more views of Sterling Lake), where our driver is gonna meet us. You’ll be back home around 6pm.
INCLUDED
- Expert guide
- Transportation
- Park permits
TO WEAR
- Warm and comfortable clothing, this is a WINTER hike
- Gloves
- Hat
- Scarf
- Warm and waterproof jacket, such as a ski jacket
- Warm pants
- Thermal underwear
- Wool socks
- Hiking boots or running shoes
TO BRING
- Your picnic: we recommend a sandwich, fruits, chips...
- Ample snacks such as dry fruits, trail mix, energy bars, fruits
- At least 2 liters of water in a sturdy water bottle such as a Nalgene
- A backpack big enough to carry water and food
- Weather-appropriate clothing