Bonticou Crag

Bonticou Crag from Mountain Rest

The views north of the Devil's Path

The summit of bonticou

Wallkill River Valley

The view of Bonticou from the base 

I at least rested and relaxed

Chris B. enjoying the setting sun.  "The best things are free!"

Looking out towards New Paltz

The setting sun striking the rocks

Moonrise

I finally set out for Bonticou Crag with a local Meetup Group, Hudson Valley Hikers.  I showed up a little early and went up the trail, which in itself was a pretty good scramble.  Casey, the leader of this hike, would introduce us to Bonticou Crag on steroids.

From the Spring Farm Trailhead in the Mohonk Preserve, it's a quick walk to the base of Bonticou Crag.  From here we took the "trail" to the summit.  There were a few tricky sections, but nothing too scary.  The walk was mostly through a giant boulder field, with some narrow squeezes mixed in.

Once on the summit, Casey led us down from north of the summit scrambling off trail.  There were a few areas where we had to dip down under rocks, just barely squeezing through.  Other than that, the scrambling down was not too difficult.  The rocks were plenty dry, perfect for grip.  

Awosting and Sheldon Falls

Awosting Falls

I almost fell real hard getting this pic

The Peters Kill

Nice little falls on the way to Sheldon

Same falls with some adjustments to my camera

Looking towards the Mohonk Preserve

Sheldon Falls

Peters Kill downstream from Sheldon Falls

About the best view you can get

The old power station

The lovely Peters Kill

Some more amazing mini waterfalls

A lone tree finds its way out from the slabs of rock

My favorite of the little falls

It's quite fun walking down these slabs of rock

Making her contribution to the rock art

The top of Awosting Falls

The Peters Kill was roaring today

Another great spot to just chill

I'm not going out on a limb by suggesting Awosting Falls is the easiest, most rewarding hike in the Hudson Valley.  Located less than a quarter mile from the main entrance to Minnewaska, Awosting Falls do not disappoint.  I could sit at the base of the falls all day long with no problem.  

Pat and I parked a mile from the entrance so we had a bit more work to do.  On top of that Sheldon Falls was included in our walk.  Still this would be a great short walk.  With the recent rains of the past week, Awosting rushed over the 60 foot cliff with massive force.  The spray could be felt from 100 feet away.  Like at Stony Kill Falls, there were some rock art here too.  Seems like a growing trend that I kind of like.

After watching these falls in awe, we made our way over to Sheldon Falls.  Making our way down some of the best slabs of rock that I've been on and passing some mini waterfalls along the way, we made it to the base of the ferocious Sheldon Falls.  Although difficult to view due to the vegetation, the base of the falls is made interesting with the old remains of a local power plant in the days before Central Hudson.  We walked around the area checking things out before heading back.  Both of us happy to have an amazing day out in the Hudson Valley.

Here's some video of Awosting Falls and Sheldon Falls.  

Stony Kill Falls

Stony Kill Falls

The Helipad

Quite a few flowers on the way in

The view from behind the falls

Rock art

The Stony Kill

Some Big Ass mushrooms

I know.  I know.  These are more like weeds.  Still pretty.

This butterfly is attracted to the flowers

Despite the mostly ugly walk in past a old helicopter pad, gravel pit and an access point for the aquaduct, Stony Kill Falls is one of my favorite spots.  Once along the Stony Kill, the terrain is rugged and lush with vegetation.

The short hike leads to an awesome view of Stony Kill Falls' enormous 87 foot drop from a huge bowl-like area.  At its base, it's fairly easy to walk around and behind the Falls.  This is a great spot to have a lunch (or smoke weed) as I've seen some do in the past taking advantage of the beautiful spot.  Today Pat and I had no lunch or pot so we settled for it being a great spot to take some fotos and admire the rock art at the base of the falls.

 

Nevele Falls

Nevele Falls

The view from near the road

Get a nice shot for Uncle Frank!

Pat and the Nevele

Chris on top of stone wall

The Nevele up close

Pat after a failed trip to Ver Nooy Kill Falls, decided to meet me for a Hudson Valley extravaganza of waterfalls.  First up, Nevele Falls in Ellenville.

Located just off Route 52 about a mile east from 209, Nevele Falls was a pleasant surprise.  Eleven school teachers named Nevele Falls (eleven spelt backwards) in the 1800s.  The Nevele Resort took its name from these rather unassuming falls.  Remains of an old dam were visible.  We climbed to the top of one of the walls to try to get a better view.  This would not be the case as there was too much plant growth.  The best views were for those willing to get their feet wet.  And we were.  

Overlook Mountain Fire Tower

The Overlook Fire Tower

Lots of flowers near the ruins

Hotel ruins

Some more of the ruins

Blackhead Range in distance, with Kaaterskill High Peak

Twin and Indianhead

The Hudson River and Tivoli Bays

Hudson Valley Mall and the Hudson River

Kingston Rhinecliff Bridge

Cooper Lake and Central Catskills

The Fire Tower's long shadow

Ashokan Resevoir

Fire Tower

Chris on the tower where there's no mosquitoes

Twin and Indianhead from the summit

One of the quintessential hikes in the Catskills, Overlook offers up some of the most commanding views in the Catskills and Hudson Valley.  Located less than 20 minutes from Kingston, Overlook can be enjoyed in a short day.  Today Pat and I ventured up and back after work and were home before sunset.

After driving the 2 miles of uphill from Woodstock to the trail head, we made our way past the gate and up and up and up 2.5 miles to the hotel ruins and fire tower.  I've rarely walked up in the heat of summer.  After constantly waving my hands in front of my face smacking at the pesky mosquitoes, I was reminded as to why.  At one point I had to throw a punch into Pat's back to kill a giant fly.

We passed the hotel ruins where President Cleveland stayed a long time ago.  During the Depression the ruins were a gathering spot for communists.  Today it was surrounded in overgrown brush and many flowers.    We then walked up to the fire tower.  Despite the haze, the climb up provided some rewarding views from the hot, sweaty climb.

The views north were caked in haze.  Hudson was barely visible.  On a clear day the skyline of Albany is visible.  The Devil's Path peaks were in view to the direct north as were Kaaterskill High Peak and the Blackhead range.  To the east the Hudson River dominates.  Pat was able to make out the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge and Burger Hill.  From the Hudson Valley Mall in Kingston, you get great views of Overlook.  From here you get "great views" of the Hudson Valley Mall.  To the south, the Ashokan Resevoir dominates.  It should, it's by far the largest resevoir of the NYC resevoirs.  To the west, Cooper Lake and the Central Catskills were slightly visible through the haze.

Oh yes, Overlook is such a great spot.  A short, but steep walk gives you some of the best views in the Hudson Valley.  It's great when combined with a trip to Woodstock (we didn't do that, but I have in the past).  And there's also a Buddhist Temple located right at the trail head, if that's your thing.