Won't You Come On An Adventure With Me?

"If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there."

[adventureroundeverybend-blog]

Sam’s Point Preserve ~ Ellenville, NY 

What a day...if you plan on completing this hike definitely go early! It’s a pretty easy ascent up at the beginning but from there it’s all calf muscles. This is more of a “choose your own adventure” hike in that you have a lot of options and different sequences of completing the hike. We started off by going straight to the ice caves because my curiosity got the best of me here. However, it was the best decision of the day. As you crawl through the caves you’ll definitely feel the chill needed for the ice to form in the winter there. I’d advise bringing a flashlight although there are lights in some of the darkest parts of the cave. If you follow the trail all the way through it’ll bring you through a loop back to the road you came from. Follow this road back to embark on your journey to Verkeerder Kill Falls - probably the grandest falls I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. It’s a long and rocky hike across the top of the mountain through the burning bush and dwarf tree cluttered trail. As you cross the mountain, you will be able to view Lake Maratanza - the highest elevated lake in NY - and the Shawangunk Ridge. Once you finally reach the falls, take a breather and whatever you do, don’t look down. They’re slippery cliffs with a rocky basin as the padding to your fall. These daunting cliffs didn’t stop a girl from climbing out INTO the falls for the sake of a selfie though (I really wish I was joking). There is apparently no way down to the base of the falls (bummer, I know) so you simply retrace your steps back the way you came and it’s long, treacherous, and uphill on the way back so brace yourself. Finally, we left Sam’s Point for the last stop on our journey to save the gratification of a panoramic view for last. Definitely stop up here before heading back down to your car! 

Happy hiking! 

[adventureroundeverybend-blog]

Mohonk Mountain House ~ New Paltz, NY

My number one favorite hike to date! 

As you begin your ascent, you’ll be able to pull over in many tiny observation decks similar to the first picture for gorgeous views and a chance to relax in some shade (you’ll need it later). As you continue your hike, you’ll finally reach the Mohonk Mountain House. Take it all in because there is honestly no place like it. The architecture is out of this world and the sheer size is unbelievable. As you make your way around the lake you reach “The Labyrinth/Lemon Squeeze” where you’ll crawl through caves and squeeze through crevices as you scale the sides of these cliffs to reach a tall viewing tower at the top. From here, a 360 view is attainable and is somewhere you’ll never want to leave...we almost didn’t. I’ll definitely be making a trip back. 

[photographybykaseymurphy]

Buttermilk Falls ~ Layton, NJ 

We did not get to complete the entire hike due to a late start and spending time driving around lost but the trip is worth it for the falls alone! Getting there is half the battle though - no real GPS directions and any coordinates provided on hiking sites proved to be incorrect and landed is in a bizarre, isolated housing settlement on the border of NJ! Also, the driving route once there is not well suited for anything other than an SUV or truck so car drivers beware! The highest falls in NJ are visible right off the bat however & an easy stair climb to the top presents decent views! If you continue the hike up, you will eventually pass two lakes. Be careful not to get stuck on the Appalachian Trail though! 

[adventureroundeverybend-blog]

Stairway to Heaven trail overlooking Pochuck Valley ~ Vernon, NJ 

Park on the side of highway 517 & enter the boardwalk path. 

Follow the boardwalk path until you reach the suspension bridge over the creek. 

After the boardwalk, you will end up in the woods on the white trail (be careful not to take it too far as it is a part of the Appalachian Trail!)

Make a right onto yet another bridge and a left through a gate later on. 

Eventually you will come to another open field with 2 wooden planks running side by side through it. 

Follow this until you reach a set of train tracks (be careful crossing they are in use still). 

Cross through a farm on wooden planks (look for animals on a nice day!) and cross Rt. 94 (very carefully).

Begin your climb up Wawayanda Mountain (look for a later posting about Wawayanda State Park too). 

Follow the white trail all the way up through boulder fields and eventually hop on the blue trail to take you to the Pinwheel Vista viewpoint. 

Sit back and enjoy the view! High Point Monument may been seen in the distance, as well as the Kittatinny Mountains! Lastly, be on the lookout for bears - we saw two!