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THE VISION Beginning in the 1960's the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference took that vision a step further by creating a blazed hiking trail along Schaefer's route. Today the Long Path is a 326 mile hiking trail extending from the George Washington Bridge, north to John Boyd Thacher Park near Albany. Future plans are to extend the trail to the Mohawk River and eventually into the Adirondacks. From the sound of commuter traffic leaving Manhattan to the song of the white throated sparrow, the Long Path travels the length of New York. It links together suburban backyards with wilderness areas, pre-Revolutionary iron mines and fast food restaurants. From the Piermont Marsh at sea level to the summit of Slide Mountain over 4100 feet higher, the Long Path presents challenging climbs interspersed with gentle walks. Although every effort is made to keep the trail off roads, the Long Path frequently travels through small towns, giving the hiker a taste of life in New York. THE TRAILThe Long Path begins in Fort Lee at the historical park, on the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge. For the first twelve miles to the New York State line, it follows along the Palisades through lands of the Palisades Interstate Park. There are many spectacular views of the Hudson River and New York City along the way. After crossing into New York, the Long Path turns away from the Hudson River, but continues to follow the Palisades Escarpment to its end in Mt. Ivy. Much of the route is through State Parks but the trail also serves as a link to smaller county and town parks. There is some road walking through the towns of Piermont and Nyack. There are extensive views of the lower Hudson River valley along the way, with the most dramatic views on Hook Mountain and High Tor. Leaving the Palisades, the Long Path enters Harriman State Park, passing through the park in a northwesterly direction. The park is criss-crossed with an abundance of trails, and there are many opportunities for circular hikes. North of Harriman, the trail descends into Orange County. The Long Path follows off-road routes through Orange County in only two sections, Schunemunk Mountain and the abandoned New York, Ontario and Western Railroad right-of-way. Schunemunk is the dramatic long ridge that is the westernmost mountain near the Hudson in this vicinity. It is made up of conglomerate rock and has spectacular views both east to the Hudson River and north to the Shawangunks and the Catskills. North of Schunemunk, the trail follows a six-mile section of the abandoned New York, Ontario and Western Railroad right-of-way. The right-of-way has reverted to private landowners, and there is little evidence of the railroad anymore. Beyond Orange County, the Long Path climbs the escarpment of the Shawangunk Mountains. Characterized by beautiful white cliffs and spectacular waterfalls, the Shawangunks are one of the gems of the eastern United States. The Long Path passes Mud Pond and Lake Awosting, mountaintop lakes that are rimmed with white cliffs. The trail climbs up and over many of the cliffs and passes two waterfalls, Verkeerder Kill and Rainbow Falls. Beyond the Shawangunks, the Long Path crosses the Rondout Valley as it enters the Catskill Park. The Long Path continues through the Catskill Park for 95 miles and climbs nine of the major peaks including Slide Mountain, the highest in the Catskills. Several lean-tos are located along the trail. There are a few roadwalking sections, but these are generally through undeveloped areas. Leaving the Catskill Park, the trail passes over a series of 2900 foot peaks on private property, then follows Huntersfield Ridge to Gilboa, passing through State Reforestation Areas. North of Gilboa, the trail follows the western ridge of the beautiful Schoharie Valley. The trail passes through Mine Kill Falls State Park and the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center of the New York State Power Authority, then heads west then north through another series of reforestation areas. East of Patria, the Long Path descends to the Schoharie Valley crossing Vroomansland then ascends Vroman's Nose, the promontory that rises 600 feet above the Schoharie Valley, giving one a spectacular view. From Vroman's Nose, the Long Path crosses the Schoharie Valley through the Village of Middleburgh, then ascends the cliffs, where there are views back to Vroman's Nose. Past the cliffs, the trail leaves the Schoharie Valley as it turns east, crossing State Forests to reach Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area in Albany County. In Partridge Run, the Long Path follows mostly cross-country ski trails, past lakes and streams with occasional views back to the Catskills. East of Partridge Run, the Long Path crosses private property then ascends Cole Hill State Forest as it continues east across farmland to the Helderberg Escarpment. The soft limestone of the Helderbergs has caused many caves, sinkholes and underground streams to be formed. The Long Path turns north and follows the escarpment to John Boyd Thacher State Park where there are many dramatic views of the Hudson Valley and the Taconics. Here, the Long Path uses the historic Indian Ladder Trail which once led to the trading post at Albany. Thacher Park is the current northern terminus of the Long Path. Work is continuing to extend the trail north to the Mohawk River and eventually to the Adirondacks. SHAWANGUNK RIDGE TRAIL
HIKING THE LONG PATHFor most of its length the Long Path is marked with 2"x4" turquoise paint blazes. Turns are marked by two blazes, with the top blaze offset in the direction of the turn. In the Catskill Forest Preserve, the trail is marked with round, plastic discs of varying colors. Consult the Long Path guide for directions. Sections of the Long Path are on private land with the generous permission of the landowners. Please ensure continuance of the trail by respecting owner rights: no fires, no camping, no littering...foot travel only, and with due consideration. Most private land sections are CLOSED to all hikers during big game hunting season. End-to-EndThere is a patch available to all who complete the whole Long Path from the George Washington Bridge to what is the northern terminus at the time of completion. There is a small Backpacker's Guide to the LP in the 5th edition of the Long Path Guide. UPDATES - Current conditionsAt present, there are several gaps in the Long Path where the landowner no longer permits hikers to traverse his property, thus necessitating the closing of the trail in these areas. The current list of gaps is below with references to the 5th edition of the Long Path Guide (2002). In addition, relocations are also listed below. TEMPORARY WARNING 9/19/2005 Section 1, page 17
Section 12, page 89, mile 3.2-4.15, has been reblazed and is open for hiking again. Section 26, page 161, mile 6.55 Section 5, page 45, mile 2.45 6/16/2003 The parking area can accommodate at the most 5 cars and can be reached from North Ridge Rd. It is located off Cheesecote Lane next to a fenced in transformer area, 0.1 miles off North Ridge Rd. From the parking area a gravel trail of approxomately 0.1 miles leads to the Long Path and the pond. Section 27, page 169, mile 3.3-4.5 05/2006
Mile 0.00-(Mile 3.30 of the 5th Edition of the Long Path Guide)-Turn right from Stryker Road into Nickerson's Campground and past the Campground store. Mile 0.13-Turn right off camp road onto trail. Mile 0.24-Turn right, at the latrine next to campsite 423, onto Columbine Camp Road. Mile 0.51-Bear right onto camp road from Columbine Road. Mile 0.62-Bear right on camp road opposite the pavilion and swimming pool. Mile 0.87-Turn left on camp road at campsite 572. Turn right onto camp road at campsite 546. Mile 0.98-Turn right onto trail along Schoharie Creek. The LP follows the creek bank and then back onto a camp road before leaving the campground. Mile 1.22-Leave Nickerson's Campground at campsite 615. Enter the NYS Power Authority Corridor with the boundary marked with orange stakes. Mile 1.62-Go up a steep bank and turn right. Mile 1.65-Pass by a ledge overlooking the Schoharie Creek and turn right. Enter an open area with scattered red cedar trees. There are nice views of the Schoharie Creek and the reservoir from the ledges through this section. Mile 1.92-Cross a ledge above a small stream entering the reservoir. Turn left downhill. Mile 2.03-Rock hop across small stream. This can be done fairly easily unless the water is high. Turn right up the bank. Mile 2.17-Enter an open area under the power line. Turn right on the power line access road for about 150 feet and then turn left toward the woodlands. Mile 2.36-Turn left on a woods road with the Minekill to the right. Mile 3.11-Leave the mixed hardwood-conifer forest and enter a white pine forest. Mile 3.42-Minekill Falls parking lot on NYS Route 30.
Section 9, page 67, mile 4.2-8.9 12/2/2004 (not marked on ground yet)
Section 29, 7/26/2005 0.10 Just past the bridge at the edge of West Fulton, turn left into an open field and head uphill to a blazed White Pine. The Long Path follows some White Pine trees through the field for a short time before entering a mixed hemlock-hardwood forest. 0.30 Turn uphill on a woods road that is marked as a snowmobile trail. The Long Path now follows the snowmobile trail until it enters the Patria State Forest. 0.70 Follow the snowmobile trail to the left on a woods road. 1.00 Turn left again on another woods road. 1.15 Turn right leaving woods road. 1.40 Enter the Patria State Forest. 1.45 Turn left uphill leaving the snowmobile trail and woods road. This is at mile 1.20 of the Fifth Edition of The Long Path Guide. Section 27, page 171, mile 7.35-10.20 11/4/2005 Mile 0.00-(same as mile 7.35 of the 5 th Edition of The Long Path Guide). Top of hill with a view of Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir. Turn left and head downhill through a white pine forest. Mile 0.45-NY Power Authority’s North Access Road. Turn left. Mile 0.50-Turn right off road and down the bank. There are views of the Schoharie Creek through this section. During flood condition this section may be flooded and it will be necessary to walk the access road to NYS Route 30. Mile 1.10-Turn right on the Power Authority’s North Access Road. Mile 1.15-NYS Route 30. Turn right and cross bridge. Mile 1.20-Turn left onto Creamery Road. Mile 1.40-Pass the Cemetery and turn right uphill into the woods. Mile 1.60-Follow hedgerow on the left and turn left on next hedgerow. Mile 1.80-Go down a short steep bank to the Westkill Road. Turn left on Road. Mile 1.95-Intersection of the Westkill Road and Burnt Hill Road(same as mile 9.05 of The Long Path Guide). Mile 2.15-Just past a driveway, turn left into woods. Mile 2.30-The Long Path crosses the Westkill Road to the north side of the road. Mile 2.45-Turn left onto a woods road. Mile 2.65-Turn left leaving woods road. Mile 2.75-Turn left back onto woods road. Mile 3.10-The LP turns left, downhill, toward a beaver pond. Mile 3.25-The LP enters a State Reforestation Area. Mile 3.30-The LP crosses the Westkill Road to the south side of the road(this is at mile 10.20 of The Long Path Trail Guide). Section 18-19, 8/20/2007 The new Warner Creek Trail which begins at Silver Notch replaces shortens the LP by a mile and removes a road walk along Rt 214. CHANGES TO SECTION 18: General Description Trail Description CHANGES TO SECTION 19: General Description Access Parking Camping Trail Description Shawangunk Ridge/Long Path Reroutes (August 2008) Section 11, mile 8.35, and rejoins the old route at Section 12, mile .05. The reroute is about 5.5 miles total. A major reroute has been instituted in the Cragsmoor area. 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. 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 Rt. 211 on Otisville Rd, turn right in about 0.3 mi, soon after passing over the railroad tunnel. The trail climbs fairly steep to a nice lookout point, and 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 Rd., 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. 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. OTHER RESOURCESFor administrative reasons the Long Path has three committees:
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V3 Last updated: December 3, 2008 Copyright © 1996-2008 New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.