jamesdeluxe
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2020
Going to Lake Minnewaska is the biking version of a greatest-hits album that I've listened to hundreds of times. I know every money shot by heart; the only thing that changes is the weather, the season, and/or the people who join me. To avoid the industrial-tourism crowds that descend upon the park on weekends (it's gotten far worse since COVID), I took a Summer Friday and drove up with my wife -- who hadn't come along since before we were married in the summer of 2003 -- and son, who'd never been there.
When we arrived at 10:30, there were only a dozen cars in the lower parking lot so we headed downhill to Awosting Falls. I used to go swimming here; however, they've put up a big sign saying that it's now verboten:
Then we went back uphill toward the lake:
I like the detailed trail signs they've put up over the last five years:
Lake Minnewaska:
There are two roads that lead to Lake Awosting; we took the upper one, Castle Point, with 500 vertical feet uphill and better views. It was a hot, dry day and facing due east in the late morning sun, so we stopped several times for water.
Overlooking Gertrude's Nose:
The top of Castle Point with a bit of Lake Awosting in the background:
More white quartz along Castle Point framed by the southern edge of the Catskills. If interested, here's a good overview of the Shawangunk Ridge's geology:
Heading downhill toward Lake Awosting:
Riding through the fragrant pitch pine forest:
Turning left toward Lake Awosting:
Not sure about the flowers that grow along the lake: honeysuckle? Regardless, the sweet scent was intoxicating:
A blurry zoom-in of a very tame duck family at the public swimming area. One of the ducklings was napping on their towel:
We continued a quarter mile further to a secluded spot for lunch and swimming:
I love riding through Hemlock forests -- most of them in the Catskills were cut down during the Civil War:
Going uphill over Lake Awosting:
Above the treetops:
After gliding downhill, we stopped alongside Lake Minnewaska on the way back to the car:
After five hours of biking and swimming, we ended the day with burgers and Blueberry Gunx wheat beer (excellent, and I'm generally not a fan of flavored beer) at Clemson's micro-brewery in New Paltz.
When we arrived at 10:30, there were only a dozen cars in the lower parking lot so we headed downhill to Awosting Falls. I used to go swimming here; however, they've put up a big sign saying that it's now verboten:
Then we went back uphill toward the lake:
I like the detailed trail signs they've put up over the last five years:
Lake Minnewaska:
There are two roads that lead to Lake Awosting; we took the upper one, Castle Point, with 500 vertical feet uphill and better views. It was a hot, dry day and facing due east in the late morning sun, so we stopped several times for water.
Overlooking Gertrude's Nose:
The top of Castle Point with a bit of Lake Awosting in the background:
More white quartz along Castle Point framed by the southern edge of the Catskills. If interested, here's a good overview of the Shawangunk Ridge's geology:
Heading downhill toward Lake Awosting:
Riding through the fragrant pitch pine forest:
Turning left toward Lake Awosting:
Not sure about the flowers that grow along the lake: honeysuckle? Regardless, the sweet scent was intoxicating:
A blurry zoom-in of a very tame duck family at the public swimming area. One of the ducklings was napping on their towel:
We continued a quarter mile further to a secluded spot for lunch and swimming:
I love riding through Hemlock forests -- most of them in the Catskills were cut down during the Civil War:
Going uphill over Lake Awosting:
Above the treetops:
After gliding downhill, we stopped alongside Lake Minnewaska on the way back to the car:
After five hours of biking and swimming, we ended the day with burgers and Blueberry Gunx wheat beer (excellent, and I'm generally not a fan of flavored beer) at Clemson's micro-brewery in New Paltz.
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