The Shawangunks are part of the same ridge as Kittatiny in New Jersey and Blue Mountain in Pennsylvania. The Gunks (as they are known locally) can be divided into three main sections: Sam's Point Preserve, Minnewaska State Park and Mohonk Preserve. Sam's Point Preserve, which is the most southern of the three, is managed by the Nature Conservancy. Minnewaska with over 20,000 acres is by far the largest area. The Mohonk Preserve is privately owned and fees are charged for its use.
Sam's Point Preserve
At just under 5,000 acres, Sam's Point Preserve has some of the best of what the Gunks have to offer. The off trail walk/scramble through Shingle Gully may be the greatest in the entire Hudson Valley. Dwarf pines and cliffs and crevasses aplenty can be found here. Permits are required.
Some easier strolls can be found here. The walk up to Sam's Point affords views of the Rondout and Wallkill Valleys. Views south into New Jersey can be seen on a clear day. Walk a bit farther along and the formerly commercial Ice Caves can be reached. It's a great spot on a hot summer day.
From those two great spots, it's a friendly 2 mile walk among blueberry bushes to Verkeerder Kill Falls (the Gunks highest) which is just outside Sam's Point Preserve. Also not far from Sam's Point is Lake Maratanza, the highest of the lakes here at over 2,000 feet.
Another spot to check out are the Long Path from Route 52. Along the way you will pass some former blueberry pickers' shacks. At one time, people made a living picking the wild blueberries. Late July and early August is a wonderful time to pass through here.
Sam's Point Preserve (Shingle Gully)
Sam's Point Preserve
Ice Caves
Long Path
Long Path (October)
Verkeerder Kill Falls
Nevele Falls
Minnewaska State Park
Many fights along the way have been won to have the Minnewaska State Park that we have today. Hotels and condominiums have been proposed on the ridge. Today anyone can enjoys the lovely carriage trails and some of the rugged single track trails. It's a great spot for walkers, mountain bikers and cross country skiers.
Two of the best waterfalls in the Gunks can be found here: Stony Kill Falls and Awosting Falls. Some excellent walks along the cliffs found near Gertrude's Nose, Castle Point and Litchfield Ledge provide great views and test your fear of heights.
And of course, Minnewaska State Park has two great mountain lakes: Awosting and Minnewaska. On a hot day, there are beaches and designated spots to go swimming and cool off. They both provide some excellent scenery amongst the cliffs and dwarf pines.
Gertrude's Nose
Lake Awosting
Sanders Kill to Hidden Pond to The End of the World
Hidden Pond and Sanders Kill
Sanders Kill (4th of July)
Lake Minnewaska
Awosting Falls
Stony Kill and Awosting Falls
Stony Kill Falls
Stony Kill Falls
Awosting and Sheldon Falls
Sheldon Falls
Sheldon Falls (VPo Man Version)
Rainbow Falls
Mohonk:
For myself and many others, the single greatest landmark in the Gunks (and possibly the entire Hudson Valley) is the stone tower that sits atop Sky Top. From New Paltz and the Rondout Valley, it's instantly recognizable.
But Mohonk has far more than that. The massive hotel that rises from the lake appears as if its straight out of The Shining. Mohonk Lake, the smaller than the other mountain lakes, is arguably the most beautiful of the mountain lakes.
There are numerous trails and carriageways at Mohonk. Many of the trails require quite a bit of scrambling. If this appeals to you, head for the Labrynthe which leads to the tower via the Lemon Squeeze. If it gets to be too much, there are plenty of spots that will lead to a carriageway.
Mohonk (The Labrynthe to Tower)
Lost City
Bonticou Crag
Duck Pond and Eagle Cliff
No comments:
Post a Comment