TR: Sam's Point Presrve Cragsmoor NY
Oct 12, 2015 6:48:48 GMT -5
Post by hoosier on Oct 12, 2015 6:48:48 GMT -5
Sunday October 11, 2015
Sam’s Point (Minnewaska State Park Preserve)
With nice weather forecasted for Sunday. I decided I wanted to head somewhere where the fall colors would be in their full glory. Was originally planning on heading to SGL 57 near Ricketts Glen. But Saturday I decided I did not feel like bushwhacking through heavy blueberry bald’s. So I changed my plans
Sam’s Point is located in Cragsmoor, NY with a large parking area located at the end of Sam’s Point Road. There is a $ 10.00 per car parking fee charged. As it is now part of the New York State Park System. The 4600 acre Sam’s Point Preserve is noted for it’s unique Dwarf Pitch Pine Plains. Plus Varkeerder Falls.
On my ride north I took notice that the leaf colors became better as I got closer.
Did an eleven mile loop with a short out and back to Mud Pond. The former route of the Long Path used to be cut off at Mud Pond, which was on private land, and was off limits. Fortunately the land is now under State Park ownership and one can once again hike to and past the very scenic lake. By using the renamed purple blazed Scenic Trail which connects to the trail system in the formal part of Minnewaska State Park.
Followed the flowing trails in a counterclockwise direction. Loop Road; Varkeerder Kill Falls trail; Scenic trail (1.75 miles out and back to Mud Pond); High Point trail; High Point Carriage Way and finally the Loop Road once again.
Highlight of the hike. Where the bright fall colors, The short section of White Birch Forest before Varkeerder Falls, Varkeerder Falls, Mud Pond, Pine Barrens (Got to love walking through stunted trees that you can see over) White cliffs so present in the Gunks. And the great view of the Catskill’s off to the north from the viewpoint at the former site of the High Point Fire Tower (north end of High Point trail).
Since I got a relatively early (8:30 am) start. I did not have to deal with crowds on the trails. But most people seems to only go as far as the Sam’s Point overlook which is a short 1.5 mile round trip walk. But when I got back to the parking area at 1:30 they were turning people back as the rather large parking lot was full.
A few select photo highlights of my hike and day.
View From Sam's Point looking south
Sam's Point Cliffs
Along Varkeerder Kill Falls trail
White Birch Forest
Varkeerder Kill Falls
Cliffs and colors
Mud Pond
Cliffs along High Point trail
Dwarf Pitch Pine Barrens
Catskills from High Point Viewpoint
Fall Colors
More Fall Colors
Sam’s Point (Minnewaska State Park Preserve)
With nice weather forecasted for Sunday. I decided I wanted to head somewhere where the fall colors would be in their full glory. Was originally planning on heading to SGL 57 near Ricketts Glen. But Saturday I decided I did not feel like bushwhacking through heavy blueberry bald’s. So I changed my plans
Sam’s Point is located in Cragsmoor, NY with a large parking area located at the end of Sam’s Point Road. There is a $ 10.00 per car parking fee charged. As it is now part of the New York State Park System. The 4600 acre Sam’s Point Preserve is noted for it’s unique Dwarf Pitch Pine Plains. Plus Varkeerder Falls.
On my ride north I took notice that the leaf colors became better as I got closer.
Did an eleven mile loop with a short out and back to Mud Pond. The former route of the Long Path used to be cut off at Mud Pond, which was on private land, and was off limits. Fortunately the land is now under State Park ownership and one can once again hike to and past the very scenic lake. By using the renamed purple blazed Scenic Trail which connects to the trail system in the formal part of Minnewaska State Park.
Followed the flowing trails in a counterclockwise direction. Loop Road; Varkeerder Kill Falls trail; Scenic trail (1.75 miles out and back to Mud Pond); High Point trail; High Point Carriage Way and finally the Loop Road once again.
Highlight of the hike. Where the bright fall colors, The short section of White Birch Forest before Varkeerder Falls, Varkeerder Falls, Mud Pond, Pine Barrens (Got to love walking through stunted trees that you can see over) White cliffs so present in the Gunks. And the great view of the Catskill’s off to the north from the viewpoint at the former site of the High Point Fire Tower (north end of High Point trail).
Since I got a relatively early (8:30 am) start. I did not have to deal with crowds on the trails. But most people seems to only go as far as the Sam’s Point overlook which is a short 1.5 mile round trip walk. But when I got back to the parking area at 1:30 they were turning people back as the rather large parking lot was full.
A few select photo highlights of my hike and day.
View From Sam's Point looking south
Sam's Point Cliffs
Along Varkeerder Kill Falls trail
White Birch Forest
Varkeerder Kill Falls
Cliffs and colors
Mud Pond
Cliffs along High Point trail
Dwarf Pitch Pine Barrens
Catskills from High Point Viewpoint
Fall Colors
More Fall Colors
