Minnewaska State Park Preserve

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Minnewaska - Gertrude's Nose 007.jpg

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Park Overview:

Two beautiful "sky lakes" on the site of two former hotels with more than 50 miles of trails and carriageways and numerous scenic views
Trail Uses:Hiking, Mountain biking, Bridle path, X-C skiing
Dogs:Dogs on leash
Trail Miles:50 miles
Park Acreage:21096 acres
City/County/
State:		Kerhonkson/Ulster/NY
Buy Trail Map:Shawangunk Trails Map
Buy Book:
Park Description:

Trail Alerts

All foot bridges in the park were washed away by floodwaters from Tropical Storms Irene and Lee. They will not be rebuilt before spring 2012.

The Lower Awosting carriage road over the Fly Brook was also completely washed away.

The 21,096-acre Minnewaska State Park Preserve was once the site of two mountaintop hotels.  Many of the scenic trails and historic carriageways wind their way around two "sky lakes."  Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting are the centerpieces of the park preserve, from which most other scenic attractions can be reached.  These lakes are well known for the exceptional clarity of their water and their aquamarine color.  Both lakes are set into white conglomerate cliffs and encircled with carriageways that provide ready access to many views.

The park is a good destination for hikers during hunting season; a large swath of Minnewaska is off limits to hunters (as of 2009). A hunting map provided by the park shows the hunting zones:  2010 Hunting Map and Permit

Trails Overview:

The numerous scenic overlooks in the park are destinations by themselves, with varied and sweeping views of the lakes, cliffs, expanses of pine barrens, and valleys below.  They include Hamilton Point, Castle Point, Gertrude's Nose, Millbrook Mountain, Murray Hill, Margaret Cliff, Beacon Hill, and the High Peters Kill cliffs.  Many are accessible by both trail and carriage roads.

Among the many trails are:

  • The Beacon Hill Trail [0.8 mile; yellow] is one of the most scenic short hikes in the immediate area of Lake Minnewaska.  It begins at Beacon Hill Carriageway, 0.7 mile from the Lake Minnewaska parking area.  It can be combined with the Beacon Hill Carriageway and the Lake Minnewaska Carriageway for a two- or three-mile loop hike.
  • The Blueberry Run Trail [2.2 miles; blue] begins at the crest of Castle Point, where the Long Path [aqua] joins the Castle Point Carriageway, 3.2 miles from the Lake Minnewaska parking lot.
  • Castle Point Carriageway [4.3 miles; blue] is the highest within the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, skirting along the tops of the series of bluffs that define the western rim of the Palmaghatt Ravine, with lofty outward views.  It is popular with mountain bicyclists.  It begins from Lake Shore Drive on the west side of Lake Minnewaska, 0.4 mile from the parking area.
  • The Gertrude's Nose Trail [3.4 miles; red] begins on Millbrook Drive, at a point 2.1 miles from the parking area at Lake Minnewaska.
  • The Hamilton Point Carriageway [2.8 miles; yellow with black H] follows the northern rim of the Palmaghatt Ravine, an immense V-shaped ravine whose side walls consist of a double row of high, vertical cliffs.  This is one of the most scenic routes between Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting. 
  • Rather than taking a direct route across Minnewaska State Park Preserve, the Long Path [9.5 miles from Jenny Lane to Mud Pond; aqua] meanders through the park on a winding course, passing ridge-top viewpoints and waterfalls, and scrambling up and down rocky cliffs.  Since it crosses many of the park's trails and carriageways, the Long Path can be combined with them to make a variety of loop hikes.  The Jenny Lane parking area is a convenient place to begin a hike.

To find detailed descriptions of specific hikes, click here and scroll down the "Parks" column to the name of this park.
Directions:
  • Take New York State Thruway [I-87] to NY Routes 44/55 west to the main entrance to the park.  [Google Maps:  "Minnewaska State Park, NY 12561"]
  • Jenny Lane parking area is an obscure dirt road which leads north from US 44/55, 1.2 miles west of the entrance to Minnewaska State Preserve.  [Google Maps: "Jenny Lane, Kerhonkson, NY"]
Contact Information:Minnewaska State Park Preserve
845-255-0752
Region:Shawangunk Mountains
Fees:Yes, click on 'Contact Information' for further information

Comments

Millbrook Carriage Road, Gertrude's Nose Trail Reopen July 1

On June 30th, 2011 Georgette Weir says:

Park Manager Eric Humphrey announced on June 30 that the Millbrook Carriage Road Restoration Project is completed and the road and trail to Gertrude's Nose would reopen on July 1, 2011.

Millbrook Carriage Road, Gertrude’s Nose Footpath Closed

On April 19th, 2011 kmalkin@nynjtc.org says:
Date: 
04/18/2011
Source: 
Minnewaska State Park Preserve

 

Millbrook Carriage Road at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Ulster County, NY, will be restored during the 2011 season and closed for the duration of the project.  The project is scheduled to start April 25, 2011, and  is estimated to take 90 days to complete.  The completion date will be largely dependent on weather conditions.  The following trails will be CLOSED seven days a week to hikers, bikers, and equestrians for the duration of this project:

  • Millbrook Carriage Road 
  • Gertrude’s Nose Footpath

Additionally, Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road will have numerous pieces of heavy equipment transporting materials to Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road.  Please be alert for construction vehicles on Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road and yield to the construction vehicles during this project.

Note:  For hikers starting at Minnewaska, Millbrook Mountain will only be accessible via the Millbrook Mountain footpath and returning via the same route.  Footpaths to the mountain via the Mohonk Preserve will be unaffected.