Sterling Forest State Park
McKeags Meadow–Red Back South Loop, 6 sights
6.6 mi · ▲ 985 ft · 2 hr 42 min
McKeags Meadow–Red Back South Loop, 6 sights is a 6.6-mile loop in Sterling Forest State Park near Eagle Valley, NY. It climbs 985 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
McKeags Meadow–Red Back South Loop, 6 sights
6.6 mi · ▲ 985 ft · 2 hr 42 min
Elevation 555–1,040 ft
Loop · Sterling Forest State Park
Trailhead: Redback Doubletrack · 41.17658, -74.22737
Weather Sep 7: Overcast, high 74°F / low 55° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:22 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Redback Doubletrack, heading W.
- 150 ftBear left onto Redback, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Redback Doubletrack, heading SW.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Redback, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Redback Doubletrack, heading SW.
- 150 ftBear right onto Redback, heading SW.
- 400 ftTurn left onto Red Back Trail, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear right onto Redback, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Redback Doubletrack, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Redback, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Redback Douubletrack, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Redback, heading W.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Redback Doubletrack, heading NW.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Red Back, heading N.
- 0.6 miSharp right onto McKeags Meadow, heading N.
- 0.6 miSharp left onto McKeags Meadow Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto McKeags Meadow, heading SW.
- 1 miSharp right onto McKeags Meadow / Redback, heading SE.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Redback Hike Pink Blaze, heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Redback South, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Redback Hike Pink Blaze, heading SE.
- 0.1 miSharp left onto Redback South, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Red Back South, heading W.
- 0.9 miBear right onto Redback Doubletrack, heading E.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Red Back Trail, heading NE.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Redback, heading NE.
- 450 ftBear left onto Redback Doubletrack, heading E.
- 150 ftBear left onto Redback, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Redback Doubletrack, heading NE.
- 400 ftContinue straight onto Redback, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Redback Doubletrack, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Redback, heading E.
- 50 ftBear right onto Redback Doubletrack, heading SE.
- 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~53 min). Leave by 6:09 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:16 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Redback Doubletrack Trailhead
- Redback Doubletrack 2.2 mi · ▲ 346 ft
- Redback Doubletrack 2.2 mi · ▲ 346 ft
- Munsee Eagle South 2.4 mi · ▲ 385 ft
- Redback Doubletrack 2.4 mi · ▲ 414 ft
- Redback Doubletrack 2.4 mi · ▲ 414 ft
- Redback Doubletrack via Red Back 3.1 mi · ▲ 521 ft
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