2022’s Journey will entail 25 Campsites – 4,315 Miles (in Rosie the RV) and countless other SUV miles to get us to our adventures. We will see such vacation hotspots as St Augustine, Savannah, Charleston, Lake Placid, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine [primarily Acadia National Park, and Baxter State Park], then head south to West Virginia and Virginia before landing back in Central Florida for the winter months.
On May 31st, 9-weeks into our 2022 adventures, we took 3-travel days to get to a favorite area of ours, the lovely Catskill Mountains of New York where we will have 5-days to re-explore some of our favorite hiking and biking.
Although we’ve been vacationing in upstate New York for over 20 years, 2020 was our first visit to this area and it quickly became a favorite for its awe-inspiring beauty, abundant hiking and biking on the carriage trails.
Located in southeast New York State, between Albany and New York City. The region is a mixture of public and private land that lies within the 700,000 acres of the Catskill Park and occupies parts of four counties. In addition to breathtaking natural attractions like waterfalls and scenic vistas, the area is famous for its number of maintained hiking trails, ski resorts, lakes, and rivers to explore and endless photographic opportunities.
Campground
NEW YORK CITY NORTH / NEWBURGH KOA HOLIDAY
Our first impression was one of disappointment. Perhaps if we would have chosen a different campsite it might have been different. The spots were really close together so Mike had chosen a spot on an end of a row next to a cabin. The google earth view led him to believe there was some vegetation separating us. However, they had just completed some satellite installation project and the grounds were tore up and very messing looking. Not pleasant to the eye. The next problem, our site was consistently wet. It appeared to be some kind of seepage coming up from below. We asked a couple of times for maintenance to look at/take care of it but received no response. It was so unpleasant we never even sat outside. We’d likely return because of the convenience of the location but would try and choose a better site.
Hiking
Sam’s Point & Verkeerderkill Falls
A hike we haven’t done was first on our list. Our first full day in the area, Wednesday, we awoke to a drizzly, overcast skies. Sam’s Point Preserve is located on the highest section of the Shawangunk Mountains and is the most southerly section of Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Knowing that this hike is extremely popular and even requires reservations on the weekends, we got an early’ish start and arrived at the trailhead at 8 AM to only a few other cars, so plenty of parking to be had. We paid the $10 fee and headed down the path to follow the 8.3-mile loop route from AllTrails.
We followed the route out of the parking lot and first encountered old berry picker shacks from the days when the area was picked for its wild blueberries.
The next notable change in the trail is when we reached the Shawangunk Ridge Trail extending into Minnewaska State Park where we were hiking through a rare and endangered ecosystem, consisting of a Rare Dwarf Pitch Pine barren — one of the few remaining in the world. We were fascinated by this section……
Along the way, you’ll also hike up and on top of the many cliffs in the area as you take the High Point Trail.
You’ll get views of High Point Monument in New Jersey, the Hudson Valley, as well as the Catskills and Roundout Valley.
You’ll also pass the beautiful Verkeerderkill Falls.
Biking
Minnewaska State Park
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain. The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. All this is within an hour and a half drive from New York City.
Our first stop was Awosting Falls.
We just love these carriage trails and so enjoyed biking them in 2020. We are back again during the week to take them on with our new Giant electric assist bikes.
Our first biking adventure was on a Thursday. After a casual breakfast at a local restaurant, we rode a total of 13 miles / 3-hours all around the trails with awesome views and very few people.
The second, was a less desirable (because of the crowds) Saturday but we got an early start and were there when they opened the park at 9 am.
We rode to the trailhead of Rainbow Falls and hiked the 1’ish mile out and back from the Lower Awosting Lake Carriage Road. We continued on biking up to Gertrude’s Nose trailhead, locked up our bikes and walked the 4 mile out and back.
Mohonk Preserve
Mohonk Preserve is the largest private nature preserve in New York. The Preserve protects over 8,000 acres of the Shawangunk Ridge and inspires people to care for, enjoy and explore their natural world. Preserve lands are open sunrise to sunset every day for hiking, climbing, biking, running, horseback riding and nature study. A current membership or day pass is required to access the lands. For hiking, the fee is $10 per person, for biking it is $15. This visit, we chose a weekday and parked at the West Trapps Trailhead. We paid the fee for biking and set off on our adventure .
First was an easy peddle down carriage roads to the Mohonk Mountain House area where only foot traffic is allowed. We parked our bikes and set off for the premiere hike on Sky Top Trail a well maintained path leading to Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower. From the top there are amazing views of the Catskills and Hudson River Valley. On a clear day six states are visible, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
After admiring the view and a light snack, we worked our way down the trail to the gardens at the Mohonk Mountain House for spectacular display of spring.
That concluded our short stay in the Catskill’s. We will definitely be back another day.
What’s Next?
New York’s Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains…….
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