The following are relocations and openings on the Long Path:
Section 11 - Wurtsboro Ridge North
Section 11 has been relocated to the ridgetop from milepost 2.9 to Route 52.
2.9 - The trail crosses the woods road, and goes through
hardwood forest criss-crossed by stone walls, slowly heading uphill in a generally
northern (slightly eastern) direction. During the next 0.3 mi the trail crosses 6 stone
walls, and after a third of a mile the trail leaves state land. The markings change from
blue disks to the parakeet aqua blazes.
3.5 - The trail makes a sharp left turn and climbs up the
ridge. Here the trail goes through shrub oak with an occasional pine tree, and some of the
markings are painted on the rocks. Once on the ridge the first good views appear, with the
Shwawangunk Ridge and the Basha Kill visible south, and the Catskill Mts. visible
northwest. During the next 1.15 mi the trail winds it self over the ridge, sometimes
affording views to the west and northwest, other times northeast (Castle Point) to
southeast (Orange County). On the east side of the ridge are steep ledges of 20-40 ft in
height, and beautiful loose-standing rock formations.
4.2 - An old woods road becomes visible on the bottom of the
ledges.
4.6 - There are some fine last views of the Catskills,
Ellenville, and Bear Hill.
4.7 - The trail starts heading down through a nice stand of
laurel. The trail is quite steep at places.
5.3 - An old road is crossed, which used to be a connector
between Rte 52 in Cragsmoor, and Rte 209 in Spring Glen. After about 0.1 mile a stream is
reached that cascades very nicely from a steep slope. The trail follows the stream down
for about 200 ft, and than crosses the falls. After another 0.1 mi the old road is
crossed again. The trail starts heading uphill.
5.7 - Rte 52 is reached. Turn left, and follow Rte 52.
6.0 - Pass a spectacular overlook...........(formerly 6.15....deduct .15 from description of rest of section.
The Long Path is now open from the former Ice Caves Mountain Parking Lot to Verkeerderkill Falls. Below is the complete revised description for this Long Path section:
Ice Caves Mountain Entrance Gate to Jenny Lane (Route 44/55)
Feature Shawangunk Mountains
Distance 13.7 miles
General description
The Long Path enters the northern Shawangunks by Lake Maratanza. The Shawangunks are one of New York's most spectacular scenic features. Capped by a hard, white conglomerate, the Shawangunks form a long mountain ridge with gently dipping slopes along the surface of the conglomerate that give way suddenly to great white cliffs. A favored spot for rock climbers, the cliffs provide wonderful views of forested and farmed land in the valley below. The trail is quite rugged where sections of the cliffs are traversed. The trail passes by three lakes, Lake Maratanza, Mud Pond and Lake Awosting. Lake Awosting especially is a gem, with wooded shores that plunge into clear, deep blue water. In this section, the Long Path also passes two of the Shawangunks finest waterfalls; Verkeerder Kill Falls and Rainbow Falls.
Access
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 17 in Newburgh. Continue west on Interstate Route 84 to Exit 5. Follow Route 208 north to Route 52. Turn left onto Route 52 and follow it west to the top of the ridge at Cragsmoor. Tuen right on Cragsmoor road and follow 1.3 miles to middle of Cragsmoor hamlet. At three way intersection, bear right and again make a right on Sams Point Road. Follow Sams Point Road one mile to parking lot at end.
Parking
0.0 Ice Caves Mountain
13.6 Minnewaska State Park parking area on Route 44/55, about 0.75 mile south of the trail crossing.
13.8 Parking area at Jenny Lane.
Trail Description:
0.00 The Long Path passes through the gate beyond the parking lot at the end of Sam's Point Road. It then turns right and follows the right fork of the road that loops around Lake Maratanza. The Long Path is marked with parakeet aqua blazes.
0.10 The trail reaches a hairpin turn in the road and continues along the road as it climbs through the woods towards Sam's Point.
0.50 The Long Path passes under the cliffs of Sam's Point on the left and comes to a spectacular view to the right. From here you can see south along the ridge to High Point, New Jersey. You can also see across the Hudson Valley to the Hudson Highlands to the south and east. Soon past the view, the trail bears left and ascends along the road to the top of the cliffs.
0.60 To the left is a road that leads a short distance to Sam's Point. It is worth the detour to Sam's Point, as the view is even better than along the road. Here you are high enough to see above the high point of Cragsmoor and can see west as well as south and east. Just to the west of the ridge 10 miles south, the Basha Kill is visible. On a clear day, you can see all the way into New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The Long Path continues straight ahead on the road, passing through a dense pitch pine forest.
1.00 Reach the intersection with the road that led down to the commercial ice caves, which are now closed. The Long Path turns right and follows this road a short distance.
1.05 The Long Path turns left and leaves the road. The spot is marked with a aqua blaze on the rock. The trail ascends through the blueberry for a short distance and then descends gradually through a mixed blueberry-pitch pine forest.
1.25 The trail gradually bears left and follows through an open area with blueberry bushes. In this section, there are continuous views north towards Mud Pond and Minnewaska State Park, with Gertrude's Nose and Castle Point prominent on the skyline.
1.45 The trail enters a denser forest of pitch pine and blueberry.
1.65 The trail enters a hardwood forest with a stream running through the middle. This stand of birch is highly unusual in the middle of the pitch pine-blueberry woods.
1.75 The trail exits the hardwood forest and reemerges in the pitch pine-blueberry scrub. Again there are continuous views towards Minnewaska.
2.00 The Long Path intersects the old trail that once ran from Lake Maratanza to Verkeerder Kill Falls. The trail left to Lake Maratanza is now closed. The Long Path turns right and follows the old trail as it descends towards the falls. The forest gradually changes from one of pitch-pine and blueberry to a hardwood forest.
2.60 The trail passes a large glacial erratic on the right. Just off the trail to the right, there are limited views to the valley. The trail soon enters a hemlock forest.
2.80 The trail crosses the Verkeerder Kill. Here there are several channels and the crossing may be a little difficult in times of high water.
2.85 The trail reaches an intersection. To the right, a path leads in several hundred feet to a spectacular overlook above Verkeerder Kill Falls. Be careful here, as a misstep will send you plunging to the base of the falls 100 feet below. The Long Path once descended from here to Upper Mountain Road. Please do not proceed beyond the falls as the landowner has closed the trail beyond this point. The falls and the overlook are also on private property. The landowner has graciously allowed us access to the falls, so please respect his rights and keep the area as you found it. The Long Path turns left back at the intersection and begins to climb to the top of another ridge. The climb is gradual at first, then steep.
3.10 The climb becomes more gentle as the ridge crest is gained. After a lookout to the left on a conglomerate shelf, the trail veers away from the edge and passes through an area covered with blueberry bushes and small trees.
3.20 The Long Path reaches open slab. There is an intersection with the High Point Trail. The High Point Trail follows the original Long Path route to High Point and the High Point Carriageway 2.65 miles away. Now on fairly level to descending ground--often on bedrock with cairns showing the way--the Long Path soon begins to follow along a crest, as it approaches a large ridge that enters from the right.
3.75 Make a sharp left at a cairn, and soon pass above a swamp to the left. Views of Mud Pond appear as the trail parallels the north shore.
4.15 The trail drops to the level of the pond and begins to run through swampy ground, sometimes on boardwalks.
4.25 Cross the outlet of Mud Pond and continue on a nearly flat table through blueberry, with scattered pine and birch.
5.15 After a short descent, reach a carriage road near the west end of Lake Awosting. Turn right and follow the road along the shore of the lake. In 200 feet, the trail turns right, off the lakeshore road, onto another carriage road. (Further down the shore is a swimming beach that may be used when a lifeguard is present. Continuing along the shore will cut some distance and time off the hiker's route, but at the expense of wonderful scenery). The Long Path now ascends gently through scrubby pine forest, following the route of the former--and exceptionally well named--Scenic Trail. Some faded yellow blazes may still be visible.
5.55 Reach the edge of the ridge, with views to the south and west. The ledges are vertical faces of white, bedded conglomerate. The carriage road twists uphill to reach a higher outlook ledge on Murray Hill, with a 2702 view that includes the Hudson Valley to the southeast and the great ridge of the Shawangunks to the northeast. The carriage road ends here, and the Long Path follows a footpath along the ledge. The route--which is often bare and marked by cairns--is nearly flat, with occasional sharp, short climbs or drops. The vegetation is generally short and scrubby.
5.80 Attain a high point with a 3602 view that includes Lake Awosting. After a short drop, the trail goes left on the overgrown remnants of a carriage road for about 125 feet, and then turns right onto a footpath.
6.20 The Long Path turns right, onto another carriage road. In 250 feet, it turns left and uphill on a path, soon reaching a decayed carriage road.
6.45 Soon after the carriage road ends, the trail emerges onto Margaret Cliff, with good views. The trail continues to run along the edge of the cliff.
6.95 The trail drops steeply, at first through a cleft in the rock, until reaching the base of the rock cliff. It soon moves away from the cliff, crosses a carriage road and then a stream, and ascends through the woods.
7.15 The trail goes through a natural tunnel in the rock, which is dark, narrow and damp. (Hikers, especially those with packs, can detour around the tunnel by going about 15 feet to the right). The trail emerges in a cleft between rocks and passes below an overhanging rock. It soon reaches a cliff top, with several views.
7.60 Turn right onto the Hamilton Point Carriageway. In 20 feet, the Castle Point Carriageway leaves to the left, as the Long Path continues straight ahead on the Hamilton Point Carriageway. (For reverse direction, continue straight ahead on the Hamilton Point Carriageway, as the Castle Point Carriageway leaves to the right).
7.70 Turn left off the carriageway onto a footpath and climb. The ascent soon becomes very steep and requires hand pulls up ledges. Very good views appear.
7.80 Reach Castle Point and turn left onto the Castle Point Carriageway. The splendid view here includes Lake Awosting. (In the reverse direction, the Long Path drops off the ledge at a sharp left turn in the carriageway). In 25 yards, take the right fork in the carriageway, which twists gently downhill with several splendid views. After following the cliff edge toward a narrowing notch, the road turns away from the edge.
8.30 A few hundred feet past a sharp switchback turn in the Carriageway, the Long Path turns right, goes up two stone steps and enters the woods on a footpath. It soon begins to pass a small ledge on the left. The trail now continues along the edge of Litchfield Ledge, which is separated from Castle Point by a V-shaped cleft that gets progressively wider and deeper. Soon a tremendous view to the south and west opens up. The ledge curves gradually clockwise, and affords views of Lake Awosting as it begins to run above a ravine.
8.70 The Long Path turns right and leaves Litchfield Ledge as it climbs up to the top of the ridge. To the left is a yellow trail, which is the old route of the Long Path. It is worth a short detour on the yellow trail, as it traverses the most spectacular portion of Litchfield Ledge. There are views north towards the Catskills as well as west to Lake Awosting. This yellow trail soon descends extremely steeply to Huntington Ravine and the Upper Awosting Carriageway. The Long Path was rerouted along the ridge in 1994 to remove it from the Carriageway.
8.80 The trail reaches a rock outcropping on the top of the ridge where there is a view north towards the Catskills and east towards Castle Point. The trail continues north following the slab and pitch pine for a short distance before turning left and descending through the laurel into a dense hemlock forest. Upon reaching the hemlocks, the trail turns right and follows the top of Litchfield Ledge, which at this point is in this deep hemlock grove.
9.35 The trail descends and reaches an exposed part of Litchfield Ledge where there is a spectacular view of Rainbow Falls and the Catskills. The trail continues along the ledge, then descends to the Upper Awosting Carriageway.
9.50 The trail crosses the Upper Awosting Carriageway and descends towards a small stream. The trail soon crosses the stream as the forest becomes dominated by hemlock.
9.70 Rainbow Falls plunges over the opposite cliff wall just after a stream crossing. After the falls, the trail turns right and continues down the valley of Huntington Ravine.
9.85 The trail turns left and climbs steeply out of the valley. The ascent gradually becomes more gentle as several views appear.
10.10 Reach the top of a conglomerate rock plane, with a tremendous view to the north. The trail now descends at a moderate pitch down the rock plane, with small pines and blueberries growing in patches of soil on the bare rock. On the way down, the trail briefly passes through better developed woods and crosses a stream. Toward the bottom of the drop, the trail enters scrubby pine woods.
10.40 Turn right onto the Peters Kill Carriageway (which provides the most direct access to Lake Awosting) and cross the valley of Fly Brook on a causeway. Once over the causeway, the Long Path soon turns left, leaving the carriageway, and follows along a grassy clearing.
10.55 At the end of the clearing, the trail enters the woods on a slight upgrade and almost immediately turns right onto a wider, rocky trail. The trail begins to follow gentle grades near the top of a gentle slope.
10.95 The trail crosses a power line right-of-way diagonally to the right. It turns left into the woods at a pair of poles (just before a sharp dropoff), and soon begins to follow near the top of an asymmetrical ridge (gentle to the left, sharp to the right), with occasional views of a parallel ridge across the valley to the right.
11.60 The Blueberry Run Trail (blue) begins to the right, leading down to the Peters Kill Carriageway. The Long Path soon regains the ridge crest as it passes through short pines.
11.80 Turn left away from the edge of the ridge and into hardwoods. The trail now descends gently through forest rich in mountain laurel.
13.40 Cross a stream on rocks.
13.50 Cross Route 44/55.
13.65 The trail crosses a stone wall and passes through a grassy field.
13.70 Reach Jenny Lane, a gravel road (the old Wawarsing Turnpike) (end of section). To continue, turn left and follow the road.
The Long Path has been relocated between Barlow Notch and Mt. Nebo. The trail is now officially open the entire length of section 24. Revised description as follows:
4.00 Reach Barlow Notch. Here the trail crosses another mountain turnpike then bears left to begin ascending Mt. Hayden. The trail ascends gradually, levels out, then climbs gradually again following the top of a small escarpment.
4.60 The trail crosses a faint woods road that descends to the left towards Lake Heloise then climbs steeply through a rock ledge and crosses another wood road. After crossing the second wood road, the trail ascends very steeply through a series of switchbacks.
4.85 The grade moderates as the trail bears to the left. It soon reaches an eroded loging road, turns right and follows it through the woods as it ascends Mt. Hayden along the southwestern ridge.
5.10 The trail reaches a private property boundary just below the summit of Mt. Hayden and bears left and stays just west and below the summit. The trail soon begins to descend towards Mt. Nebo, again on the west side of the ridge.
5.50 The Long Path bears left and rejoins the old trail route, descending gradually to the col between Mt. Hayden and Mt. Nebo.
5.80 Reach the summit of Mt. Nebo, which is really a shoulder of Mt. Hayden. Here the trail turns right.........
Add 0.25 mile to the rest of section 24 trail descriptions.
A small segment of Long Path Section 26 (Greene County) has undergone a minor re-route to bypass an impassible tangle of blowdown and brambles. At mile 1.40, heading uphill from the bypass avoiding private property, at the broad logging road the trail turns left, follows the road downhill for a short distance, then turns sharp right to a short, steep climbto regain the ridgeline, then left on the existing trail to resume its direction towards Ashland Pinnacle/Huntersfield Mountain.
Section 26 is now open from Huntermark and Macumber Road to West Conesville. Trail Description is as follows:
6.55 Reach Huntersmark and Macumber Road. There is room to park several cars at this point. The Long Path crosses Huntersmark and Macumber Road and enters the woods by a "Huntersfield State Forest" sign. It descents to Huntersfield Creek and follows the bank of Huntersfield Creek through a reforestation area. The other side of the creek is private property and is a hardwood forest.
7.05 The trail crosses a wood road and reaches the western boundary of Huntersfield State Forest. The Long Path continues along Huntersfield Creek now in private property. The forest has changed to a hardwood forest. The trail soon follows a old wood road along the creek that emerges on to an open field.
7.55 The Long Path reaches paved Albert Slater Road, turns right and follows the road.
7.85 Reach the intersection of Albert Slater Road and County Route 11 (Marv Rion Road). Albert Slater Road ends here. The Long Path continues straight ahead and crosses an open field. In about 350 feet the trail enters the woods and follows a series of faint wood roads.
8.35 The trail reaches a pond and bears right following the pond. This pond appears to be newly created, most likely by beaver activity as there are many dead trees in the center. At the eastern end of the pond the trail turns left and begins to climb soon crossing a couple of stone walls. Shortly after the stone walls, the trail passes several man made rock piles and continues to the base of Sickler Mountain.
8.80 The trail turns left and ascends up Sickler Mountain. There are two short steep sections followed by more gradual climbs. At the end of the second steep section, the trail follows a wood road uphill.
9.25 Reach the level wooded summit of Sickler Mountain. When the leaves are down it is possible to see through the trees across the valley to the north. The Long Path begins to descend along the wood road.
9.50 The trail turns right and follows another woods road, continuing to descend.
10.60 The trail makes a right jog, leaves the wood road and quickly turns left onto another wood road. Shortly there is a view to the right to a farmhouse below as the trail crosses a powerline. The train continues downhill along the road through a hemlock forest.
10.90 The Long Path reaches gravel Pangman Road. Pangman Road, which is closed in the winter is sometimes known locally as Dog Hill Road. The trail turns right and descends along Pangman Road.
11.50 Cross the Manor Kill.
11.60 Pangman Road ends. The trail turns left on state road 990V. The trail continues along 990V paralleling the Mine Kill. The train soon passes through the hamlet of West Conesville.
12.60 The Long Path reaches the intersection of County Route 39, Prattsville Road, and NY State 990V. To the left several hundred feet is Minekill Falls. Section 26 ends here. To continue on Section 27, follow 990V north along the Schoharie Reservoir.
There is a relocation at the end of section 29 that avoids a difficult stream crossing. From mile 10.60 turn left on Route 30 for 0.25 miles, turn right on old road for 0.20 miles to the old stream crossing. At the old stream crossing, turn LEFT and follow the hedgerow to Schoharie Creek. This relocation adds 0.20 miles distance to section 29.
Section 33 - Helderberg Escarpment
Section 33 has been relocated from Stage Road to the end of the former Beaver Pond. The following trail description replaces the original Section 33:
0.00 The Long Path crosses Route 443 and heads uphill parallel to Stage Road on its west side to a farmhouse. Here Stage Road turns right; the trail continues to the north side.
0.35 The trail turns left away from the road and descends gradually north along the west side of a hedgerow. Along this leg there is a expansive view west, across open fields, toward Cole Hill and the Schoharie Valley.
0.75 Bearing right through a gap in the hedgerow, the trail enters a yound hardwood forest and turns gradually east (right).
1.10 Turning left, the trail leaves the woods, enters an AT&T cable easement and crosses a stream. The stepping-stone crossing is a short distance downstream from an abandoned beaver dam. The trail passes left of it and continues east on the easement, crossing another stream.
1.20 The trail intersects its original location at its 0.90 point and turns left along the edge of a field.
1.30 At the end of a field ..... (formerly 1.00)
Please add 0.3 miles at all subsequent locations on Section 33.
Note: On the access section, please note that the trail begins on the second intersection with Stage Road, 1.5 miles from the intersection of 443/85.
Section 34 - Thacher Park North
John Boyd Thacher State Park to NY State 146
Features - Helderberg Escarpment and Thacher Park
Distance - 5.6 miles
General Description
Section 34 begins in the parking area at the north end of the Indian Ladder Trail. This section follows the western boundary of Thacher Park as continues north. The trail follows a newly constructed ski train north through the park. The Helderberg Escarpment is in most cases a short distance to the right of the trail. Beyond the Park Boundary, the Long Path climbs to the top of the Hederbergs and heads in a generally northwest direction through the woods on newly acquired lands that will eventually be part of Thacher Park. Currently this area is being operated as a nature preserve jointly by the Open Space Institute and Thacher Park. West of the preserve the Long Path follows old gravel roads and then paved roads to it current end on Route 146, a short distance west of the village of Altamont. Plans continue to extend the Long Path north to the Mohawk River and beyond.
Access
Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 22 (Selkirk). Turn right on Route 144 and continue south to Route 396. Turn right on Route 396 and follow it six miles to South Bethlehem, where Route 396 ends and the road becomes Albany County Route 301. Follow Route 301 west another six miles to its end at Route 443 in Clarksville. Turn left on Route 443 and follow it west 1.9 miles to its intersection with NY State Route 85. Turn right on Route 85 and follow it east for 2.1 miles. Turn left and follow Route 157 3.9 miles to the main entrance to Thacher Park. Parking is available at the northern entrance to the Indian Ladder Trail.
Parking
0.0 North End of Indian Ladder Trail
2.8 Near the intersection of Whipple Road and Carrick Road.
3.6 Intersection of Carrick Road and Old Stage Road (limited).
5.6 Lewis Road and NY State 146 (limited).
Trail Description
0.00 This section starts at the Indian Ladder sign in the parking lot, just by the bathrooms. The Long Path follows the parking lot to the park entrance gate. At the entrance gate the trail crosses the guardrail and passes through a field behind the administration building.
0.15 The trail enters the woods and follows a newly constructed ski trail, which parallels the park road heading north. The Helderberg Escarpment is generally east of the park road.
0.70 The trail crosses are ballfield. There are several picnic tables at the edge of the ballfield. At the end of the ballfield is a pavillion near the edge of the Helderberg Escarpment. The trail reenters the woods by some pines. After a short distance, the trail makes a right jog on a gravel road and turns back left through a road cleared through open woods by two stone pillars. Just right of the stone pillars is the Escarpment. The trail continues a short distance on the grassy road, then turns left and follows the edge of a field to the park boundary.
1.05 The Long Path reaches the park boundary, where the ski trail ends. A foot trail continues beyond this point, following the park boundary for a short distance. Shortly, the trail makes a switchback to reach the top of a hill and crosses into the newly acquired OSI/Thacher Park Nature Preserve. Continue to follow the top of the ridge through a mixed bag of forest, varying from pine, to hardwood to open woods with low growing juniper.
1.80 Reach a cairn that marks the highest point on this trail section, about 1410 feet. Beyond this point the trail descends gradually off the Helderberg’s.
2.65 The Long Path turns left on a gravel road and soon emerges on the end of gravel Carrick Road. It turns right and follows Carrick Road.
2.80 Reach the intersection of Whipple Road and Carrick Road. There is room to park several cars a short distance away on Whipple Road. The trail continues to the right along Carrick Road, which is passable to four-wheeled drive vehicles.
3.55 Turn right and follow paved Old Stage Road. Descend gradually with views across the valley of Altamont towards the hills just south of the Mohawk River.
4.75 The trail turns right onto NY State 156. Just before the intersection there is an old cemetery on Old Stage Road.
4.90 Turn left and follow Lewis Road.
5.55 The Long Path intersects NY State 146 and reaches its current official terminus. It is possible to follow Route 146 a short distance down into Altamont and continue on locals roads through Schoharie County to the Mohawk River. The Schenectady trail committee of the Long Path North Hiking Club has marked a temporary route that can be followed to the river, while a more permanent off road route is developed.
Section11 Section 12 Section 24 Section 26 Section 29 Section 33 Section 34
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This page is maintained by Howard Dash, Long Path Chair, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.
Last updated 8/16/98
For further info: Please E Mail howiedash@aol.com