Sterling Forest/Bare Rock Hike

Morris County Ski Club Hike            Sterling Forest/Bare Rock Tuxedo, NY

Date:  Saturday, October 26, 2024

Time:  9:30 AM

Meeting Location:  Sterling Forest Visitor Area

Difficulty:  Moderate/Strenuous 

Hike distance: About 8 miles

Time: About 4.5 hours

Description: Join the Morris Ski Club on a moderate/strenuous hike in the Sterling Forest of New York.    First we will visit the remnants of an old iron mine and furnace.  After a few miles we will arrive at Bare Rock which offers a fantastic view of Greenwood Lake including the parts where we have gone paddle boarding.  We will then continue the hike with a climb involving some minor rock scrambling to the Sterling Forest Fire Tower for some additional views.  We will finish off the day by going to a nearby bar and grill (probably Rhodes North).

Important Notes for the hike:

1. Hiking boots are highly recommended as the trails are rocky in spots and can be muddy
2. Daypack to carry extra clothing, sufficient water and your snack or lunch.  
3. Bare Rock and the Fire Tower are great for photos.
4. Restroom facilities are located inside the visitor’s center.
5. GPS Coordinates: 41.19787,-74.256125.
6. Cell Phone reception can be spotty at the visitor’s center

Directions to the hike location from Morristown:

• Take I-287 North – merging briefly onto the NYS Thruway (toward Albany) but 

immediately exiting at 15A onto Rte 17 North 

• Turn left at the bottom of the ramp onto Route 17 and head north for 1.4 miles to the exit for Sterling Forest.
• Follow Sterling Mine Road (County Route 72) west for 3.0 miles.
• At the traffic light, turn right onto Long Meadow Road (County Route 84).
• Take Long Meadow Road past IBM for a total of 3.5 miles.
• Turn left onto Old Forge Road
• After 0.3 mile make a right and continue on Old Forge Road.
• Parking lot will be on the right.  The Visitor’s Center is a short walk from the parking lot.

For additional directions enter Sterling Forest Visitor’s Center. 

For more information please contact Paul Van Duyne C (201) 470-9317.

Email:  [email protected].  Advanced sign up by e-mail is not required but is appreciated.  

To contact Paul the day of the hike with any other questions (201) 470-9317.  After 9 AM you may also have to try the Visitors Center (1-845-351-5907) due to poor cell phone reception.