For years the NYNJTC maps for Sterling Forest have included a viewpoint overlooking Greenwood Lake from the east labeled "Bare Rock". But there were no
blazed paths to get to it! That is until now. The good folks at the NYNJTC have recently blazed a trail, all the way to the
vista which is, in my opinion, the most spectacular viewpoint in all of Sterling Forest and one of the two or three best vistas within the northern NJ,
southern NY area. From Bare Rock, one can see the entire Greenwood Lake from its southen tip to its northern tip. Across the lake are Bearfort and
Bellvale Mountains. One can imagine where the AT traverses across the western side of the lake. It's an amazing spot. While the trail is not currently
shown on the most recent NYNJTC Sterling Forest map (fourth edition 2008), it is shown on
this map.
Today we parked in parking area P14 on East Shore Road and took the Fire Tower trail from its southern terminus into the forest. It climbs a lot first heading north, then east and then north again until the newly-blazed Bare Rock trail (not on the 2008 Sterling Forest map) begins on the left. Making a left on that trail we continued climbing, and climbing, and climbing. This is a somewhat strenuous hike, but the view is worth it. After taking in the view and eating lunch at Bare Rock, we continued on the trail until reaching the West Valley trail, upon which we turned right. This we took south, passing a very swampy, flooded area a bit south (we had to bushwhack parallel to the swamp in the forest above). We continued on the West Valley trail until meeting the Fire Tower trail which we then took back to the car. This time we visited another wonderful viewpoint very near the parking area, overlooking the lake at a lower altitude and further south than Bare Rock. Total distance traveled was 7.4 miles in approximately 4 hours. (Click on the thumbnail to bring up a bigger image in a pop-up window)
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Fire Tower trail head |
Climbing from the get-go |
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Small bridge over dry creek |
Small swamp along edge |
Now the trail is a woods road |
But not used often |
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Sterling ridge off to the left |
Climbing a very rock Fire Tower trail |
The Bare Rock trail |
On a whaleback |
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Very brave chipmunk |
And more climbing |
And even more climbing |
A partial viewpoint east |
Hills in the distance |
Sterling Fire Tower |
On the ridge |
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Now descending |
The spur to the vista |
Approaching Bare Rock |
Northern tip of Greenwood Lake |
[photo by Laura] |
Southern part of lake |
What a view! |
Mountains directly west |
Boats in lake |
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View of northern tip |
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Marinas on western side |
House below Bare Rock |
Spider |
Souther tip of lake |
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Lots of room here for lunch |
Back on the trail |
Tons of dead trees |
Foundation remains |
West Valley trail |
Swamp off trail |
It flooded the trail here |
Beaver handiwork |
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Lush green in swamp |
Beautiful wildflower |
More signs of beavers |
Viewpoint close to parking area |
View across lake |
Bearfort Mountain |
Taking a rest |
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Boats in the lake |
Back to the bridge |
Photographs and content copyright © Dan Balogh Web design by Dan Balogh |