Long Path Updates
Current conditions 3/1/11There are currently no gaps in the Long Path. A completely updated version of the guide is available online at http://www.nynjtc.org/book/long-path-guide-softcopy. Section 1The trail now starts at the Fort Lee Historical Park just south of the George Washington Bridge near the visitors center (there will be a kiosk here eventually), and a small relocation occurred near the State Line Lookout at mile 11.25. A new trail description can be found in the online version of Section 1. Section 5Mile 3.80 (posted 10/12/11): The bridge across Horse Chock Brook was wiped out by Irene. During high water conditions it may be advisable to detour to the First Reservoir, and using the Old Turnpike to rejoin the Long Path. See NYNJTC Trail Map 118 (October 2011). Mile 9.25 (posted 1/11/12): The bridge work near the parking area on Lake Skannatati, where the LP crosses Seven Lakes Drive, is finished, and the LP is back on its old route. Section 7A minor relocation near the end of this section was built on 7/18/10, to avoid having to cross the Woodbury Creek. It adds 0.25 miles to Section 7. 10.45 Cross a seasonal stream. Section 9A major relocation occurred in 2004, and a new trail description can be found in the online version of Section 9. Section 10Minor relo at mile 3.90 (posted 4/19/11). Sections 11 and 12Section 11, mile 8.35 to Section 12, mile 0.05 (posted 08/2008). The reroute is about 5.5 miles total. The LP/SRT has been blazed along a nice woods road (the old Rte 52), about 0.4 mi before it reaches Rte 52. The old route to Rt. 52 (about 0.4 mi) is now blazed with yellow DEC disks. The new route crosses Rt. 52 in about 2.5 miles, just before it reaches South Gully, follows the South Gully Trail (see May/June Trail Walker, page 1) up 1400-foot ascent to Sam's Point Preserve, and follows the loop road to the right to rejoin the old route near the Sam's Point parking lot. The old road walk along Rt. 52, up Bear Hill, and through Cragsmoor, has been discontinued. The new trail description is available in Section 11 and Section 12. Section 12Mile 3.2-4.15 (posted 2007). The Mud Pond section has been reblazed and is open for hiking again. Mile 9.50-11.60. Indefinite detour (October 2011): the causeway across Fly Brook has been wiped out by Irene. Instead, turn right onto the Upper Awosting Carriage Road (green blazes) and in about 0.9 mi turn left on the Blueberry Run Trail (blue blazes). This trail crosses the Lower Awosting Carriage Road and the Peters Kill, and ends at the Jenny Lane Trail in about 0.6 mi. Turn right on the Jenny Lane Trail (Long Path Aqua blazes). See NYNJTC Trail Map 104. The stream crossing at Peters Kill may be problematic with high water conditions since the bridge is out. Section 13Posted 7/3/11: the bridge across the Rondout River has been replaced, and the original route is in effect again. Section 18New trail description in the online version of Section 18. Section 19Section 19 has been completely rewritten. Section 25Section 25 has been completely rewritten. Section 26Section 26 has been completely rerouted and rewritten. The Long Path does not go over Ashland Pinnacle, Huntersfield Mountain, and Sicklers Mountain anymore, but instead incorporates an approximately 4-mile roadwalk to West Conesville, where the trail goes back in the woods till the end of the section. Section 27Mile 3.3 - 5.2 (posted 04/2009). Mile 7.35-10.20 (posted 11/4/2005). New trail description in the online version of Section 27. Section 29Mile 0.10-1.45 (posted 7/26/2005). The new route has been incorporated in the online version of Section 29. Section 30Relo between mile 2.05 and mile 3.15. Major rewrite of entire Section 30. Section 33The trail to Roemer's High Point is closed and has been replaced with the road walk described below: 2.35 At Elm Drive, the trail turns left. See online version of Section 33. Section 34A relocation in the northern part of Thacher State Park brings the trail to Old Stage Road rather than Carrick Road, and eliminates approximately 0.7 miles of road walking. See Trail Map 200. See online version of Section 34 for the new route description. Shawangunk Ridge Trail reroutes:Section G1 (posted September 2010)Almost 2 miles of road walking have been eliminated (miles 4.7 to 6.50). The new trail description can be found at in the online version of Section G1. Section G3 (posted August 2008)0.00-1.60 Trail reopens over Gobblers Knob. In Mount Hope a section of 1.3 miles of roadwalking has been eliminated by rebuilding the section over Gobblers Knob, east of Otisville Road. This section had been closed to hikers by private landowners for about 15 years. The Open Space Institute recently acquired the property, which soon will be transferred to DEC, and Trail Conference volunteers have reopened the trail. Directions: Going north from Route 211 on Otisville Road, turn right in about 0.3 mi, soon after passing over the railroad tunnel. The trail makes a switch back and climbs steeply to a nice lookout point, then turns south. The trail passes a low escarpment on the right, follows an old woods road for a while, and slowly descends through open woods back to Otisville Road, about 0.1 mile before it reaches Indian Orchard Rd. Be advised that Indian Orchard Road changes to South Road when you cross the Deerpark (Orange County) / Mamakating (Sullivan County) line. 2.45-3.10 Reroute in Basha Kill. Along the Basha Kill a reroute has been blazed with blue DEC disks. The new path of about 0.5 mi starts after 0.6 mi on the rail-trail (going north), near a small bridge and a sizable parking area. It follows an old wildlife viewing trail and goes over a few bog bridges. It passes a viewing platform, with great views over the Basha Kill, before it rejoins the rail trail. The new trail description can be found in the online version of Section G3. |
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