October 15, 2022 – Pine Bush, NY
Issue: Reasonable
Size: Roughly 3.5 miles
Max elevation: 1,791 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 550 ft.
Route kind: Circuit
Free map: Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Path Map – 2021
Free map: Shawangunk Ridge Path Map – 2016
Purchase Map (Paper & Avenza): Shawangunk Trails Map 106B – 2019
Trailhead parking: Cox Street Parking Space – 336 Cox Rd, Pine Bush, NY 12566
Gravel car parking zone for about 15 vehicles – No restrooms on website
Shawangunk Ridge State Forest is a Carry-in/Carry-out space
Overview:
The 1,411-acre Shawangunk Ridge State Forest is a part of an interconnected and preserved hall of land that stretches south from Ulster County, by way of Sullivan County and into Orange County, NY. It’s a part of the southern part of the Shawangunk Mountain vary often known as the Shawangunk Ridge.
Shawangunk Ridge State Forest as seen from Bear Hill Nature Protect – October 2016
Pronounced shuh-WAN-gunk, or SHON-gum by locals, “The Gunks” are recognized extensively for his or her dramatic cliffs and landscapes, dwarf pine barren forests, “ice caves”, and basic mountain climbing.
Bear Hill Nature Protect as seen from Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Historical past:
Within the 12 months 2000, the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest was created by way of a partnership between New York State, Open Area Institute (OSI), Belief for Public Land (TPL) and others.
The Open Area Institute bought a number of main parcels alongside the Shawangunk Ridge and transferred them to the New York State Division of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to be held and managed as state forests.
Subsequent acquisitions through the years have considerably expanded the chain of state forests, together with the Shawangunk Ridge, Roosa Hole, Wurtsboro, and Huckleberry Ridge State Forests.
Trails Overview:
A 1.8-mile part of the co-aligned Shawangunk Ridge Path and the Lengthy Path passes by way of Shawangunk Ridge State Forest. To the south the path continues on into Roosa Hole State Forest. To the north the path continues onto non-public land and ultimately onto Minnewaska State Park to the north of Route 52.
The 1.2-mile part of the co-aligned SRT and Lengthy Path traversed on this hike, present spectacular views of the encircling valley, extending all the best way to the Catskills.
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Beginning in 2015, the NY-NJ Path Convention created 4 miles of latest trails in Shawangunk Ridge State Forest, connecting the Lengthy Path (and SRT) to parking areas, making loop hikes potential.
Hike Overview:
October is leaf peeping season and The Gunks are nothing wanting spectacular throughout that point. That’s most likely the busiest time of the 12 months in that space. The extra well-known spots like Minnewaska State Park, together with the Sam’s Level Space and the Mohonk Protect, can get extraordinarily crowded throughout that point, particularly on weekends. I made a decision to attempt a much less fashionable part of the ridge, or so I assumed. We arrived on the parking space on Cox Street at 10am on a Saturday morning and the 15-car gravel lot was almost full. By the point that we completed the hike, the lot was jammed and there was a protracted line of automobiles parked alongside the aspect of Cox Street. My recommendation is to get there early or go to on a weekday. You must also again your car into one of many parking spots, making it rather a lot simpler to exit. You’ll be glad you probably did.
Cox Street Parking Space – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Whereas researching this hike, I couldn’t discover a lot data on-line and figured that this was a lesser trafficked space and probably a hidden gem. Regardless that the small lot was almost full after we arrived (10am), I used to be shocked on the finish of our hike after I noticed how jammed the car parking zone was, making it troublesome to again out and go away.
I’d recommend doing this hike clockwise as most people we encountered have been moving into the wrong way. By going clockwise, it’s a shorter distance to the ridge and after reaching the highpoint, you should have nearly steady views in entrance of you as you descend.
This reasonable loop is among the higher hikes that I’ve achieved with regards to the all-around mountain climbing expertise. It has views and intensely scenic panorama alongside the ridge and just under it. It needs to be skilled to be actually appreciated.
Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Loop from Cox Street Trailhead
elevation profile – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Loop
The Hike:
From the kiosk on the parking space, head uphill on the Purple Path, which follows a woods highway. Nearly instantly, a wood put up marks a department of the path that goes to the correct. This might be your return route, however for now, proceed forward on the woods highway, following the crimson blazes.
Cox Street Parking Space – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
In 0.4 mile, you’ll cross a stream on giant stepping stones. Quickly, the Purple Path begins to climb extra steeply and narrows to a footpath.
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
After passing cliffs on the correct and going by way of an fascinating passage between rocks, you’ll attain a junction with the Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path on the crest of the ridge. Flip proper onto the Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path, which you’ll be following for the following 1.2 miles.
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
The ridge that you simply’re following was burned in a forest fireplace in Might 2015. Low vegetation was destroyed within the fireplace, and lots of small bushes have been burned, however the trunks of bigger bushes remained unscathed. The vegetation has begun to regenerate, however many small useless bushes scarred by the fireplace can nonetheless be seen.
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Quickly, you’ll come to a broad west-facing viewpoint from open slabs of Shawangunk conglomerate rock. The path strikes to the east aspect of the ridge, shifts again to the west aspect, then returns to the east aspect. You’ll discover some fascinating rock formations on the east aspect of the ridge, with the path in locations operating close to the sting of steep 30-foot-high cliffs.
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
The path begins a gradual climb to the excessive level on the ridge (1,791 toes). Simply past, there’s a panoramic north-facing view over Bear Hill. The path now begins to descend over slabs of conglomerate rock dotted with pitch pines, with views of the Catskill Mountains to the northwest. As you strategy the bottom of the descent, there are panoramic west-facing views.
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
After pausing to admire the spectacular views, observe the path because it bears proper and heads into the woods. In a brief distance, you’ll come to a junction with the northern leg of the Purple Path. Flip proper, leaving the Lengthy Path/Shawangunk Ridge Path, and start as soon as once more to observe the crimson blazes.
Flip proper on Purple Path
You’ll quickly emerge into an space with dramatic cliffs and overhanging rocks on the correct. You’re now immediately paralleling the route you adopted alongside the open slabs of conglomerate rock, however you’re following the cliffs that help these open rock slabs. In the direction of the top of this part, the path has been routed by way of a slim passage, with cliffs on one aspect and big boulders on the opposite.
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
On the finish of this spectacular part, the path turns left and begins to descend. It quickly joins a woods highway, which it follows all the best way again to a junction with the opposite department of the Purple Path. Flip left at this junction and proceed for a brief distance to the parking space the place the hike started.
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Purple Path – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest
Evaluation:
I’d extremely suggest this hike to all. It covers a particularly scenic space with unbelievable views and big rock formations. The paths are properly marked and straightforward to observe. The decrease areas on the Purple Path have good tree cowl, however the ridge is usually uncovered. This hike is finest achieved through the Fall foliage season for the array of colours on show, however I’m certain that it’s lovely in any season. I like to recommend doing the loop clockwise so the views are in entrance of you as you descend the ridge versus them being at your again as you ascend. This seems to be a preferred mountain climbing spot so both get there early or attempt visiting on a weekday.
Execs:
Implausible views alongside the ridge, fascinating rock formations, properly marked trails, scenic panorama.
Cons:
Attracts crowds, Purple Path is usually a little swampy after rainfall.
Take a hike!
Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Loop from Cox Street Trailhead
Sources:
