Shawangunk Ridge Trail (NY)
Nov 17, 2014 21:04:43 GMT -5
Post by jmitch on Nov 17, 2014 21:04:43 GMT -5
www.flickr.com/photos/49239558@N04/sets/72157648919550890/
This weekend some college friends and I hiked a segment of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT). The total trail is about 70 miles from New Jersey's High Point north to Rosedale, NY. We hiked about 25 or so miles, this is probably the most scenic section and the one with the least roadwalking. We hiked from Route 44 in Minnewaska State Park south the Route 171 at Wurtsboro. I think this is the best direction since camping is not allowed in Minnewaska or Sam's Point Preserve, and the elevation change is more favorable. The trail through Minnewaska was very scenic with countless views, cliffs, ledges, overhangs, and even a small cave. There were large hemlocks near Rainbow Falls as it cascaded from a cliff. The views north to the Catskills were excellent. The SRT is blazed blue, but also follows trails through the state park with trails blazed with other colors, such as orange, lilac, and teel. There were also some turns that were easy to miss, particularly at Castle Point, where the trail scrambled down some ledges. Awosting Lake was beautiful as was Mud Pond. The trail passed through a stunted pine forest as the sun set and we enjoyed Verkeerderkill Falls, the water was pretty low. We hiked across frigid Sam's Point as the sun set. A side trail went down to the famous Ice Caves. We could see High Point to the south. At the view, a porcupine clung to a branch in the frigid air, gnawing on the wood. We descended South Gully in the dark, as the trail clung to narrow sidehill along the steep gorge. The trail then followed an old road grade as it ascended the mountain gradually. We found a place to camp on the grade in the state forest. The next day was cloudy as we climbed the ridge with many superb views from ledges and stunted forests of oak and pine. The steep climb was manageable and the trail on top was enjoyable- it was rock free with many views, stunted forests, and cool outcrops and columns of rock that separated from the cliffs. We descended gradually to Ferguson Road, down to a creek and then up and over two more ridges that offered more views of the valley and the Basha Kill Wildlife Preserve to the south. These two ridges were more rocky.
Overall, the trail was beautiful and surprisingly challenging. It was blazed fairly well, although with different colors along the way, and well-established. The trail can be dry and camping is limited with few established sites, although there was space for camping near where the yellow side trail meets the SRT south of Route 52; in the two stream valleys between Ferguson Rd and Route 171. There is also lots of level space in an area with many old stonewalls about 2 or 3 miles south of Route 52; this area is dry. The SRT is a beautiful way to explore the impressive Shawangunks.
This weekend some college friends and I hiked a segment of the Shawangunk Ridge Trail (SRT). The total trail is about 70 miles from New Jersey's High Point north to Rosedale, NY. We hiked about 25 or so miles, this is probably the most scenic section and the one with the least roadwalking. We hiked from Route 44 in Minnewaska State Park south the Route 171 at Wurtsboro. I think this is the best direction since camping is not allowed in Minnewaska or Sam's Point Preserve, and the elevation change is more favorable. The trail through Minnewaska was very scenic with countless views, cliffs, ledges, overhangs, and even a small cave. There were large hemlocks near Rainbow Falls as it cascaded from a cliff. The views north to the Catskills were excellent. The SRT is blazed blue, but also follows trails through the state park with trails blazed with other colors, such as orange, lilac, and teel. There were also some turns that were easy to miss, particularly at Castle Point, where the trail scrambled down some ledges. Awosting Lake was beautiful as was Mud Pond. The trail passed through a stunted pine forest as the sun set and we enjoyed Verkeerderkill Falls, the water was pretty low. We hiked across frigid Sam's Point as the sun set. A side trail went down to the famous Ice Caves. We could see High Point to the south. At the view, a porcupine clung to a branch in the frigid air, gnawing on the wood. We descended South Gully in the dark, as the trail clung to narrow sidehill along the steep gorge. The trail then followed an old road grade as it ascended the mountain gradually. We found a place to camp on the grade in the state forest. The next day was cloudy as we climbed the ridge with many superb views from ledges and stunted forests of oak and pine. The steep climb was manageable and the trail on top was enjoyable- it was rock free with many views, stunted forests, and cool outcrops and columns of rock that separated from the cliffs. We descended gradually to Ferguson Road, down to a creek and then up and over two more ridges that offered more views of the valley and the Basha Kill Wildlife Preserve to the south. These two ridges were more rocky.
Overall, the trail was beautiful and surprisingly challenging. It was blazed fairly well, although with different colors along the way, and well-established. The trail can be dry and camping is limited with few established sites, although there was space for camping near where the yellow side trail meets the SRT south of Route 52; in the two stream valleys between Ferguson Rd and Route 171. There is also lots of level space in an area with many old stonewalls about 2 or 3 miles south of Route 52; this area is dry. The SRT is a beautiful way to explore the impressive Shawangunks.