Ice Caves Fall Hike

Sam's Point Area,
Minnewaska State Park,
Ulster Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Loop Road: Unblazed
Long Path: Green blaze
Lenape Steps: Unblazed
Ice Caves Road Path: Unblazed
Ice Caves Trail: White Trail

Total Time: 2:00 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.5 Miles

Pros: Great views, really cool ice caves
Cons: Entrance fee, limited parking, lack of shade
Hike Type: Back and out
Level of Difficulty: Difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZQy72hFnPJubXFud7

I have been to the Ice Caves many times, but hadn't been in the area recently. Was glad to finally go on this beautiful early fall day. I parked in the Sam's Point parking lot (note there is a reservation here on weekends) and hiked up the trail to Sam's Point. I found that the steps going up to the top were refurbished into an official trail called "Lenape Steps" and the cave off the path was sealed off. I continued along the trail, which was uncomfortably hot in the head without shade, and then took the Ice Caves Trail. Upon completed the Ice Caves Loop, I went back along the same route.

Sam's Point in the Distance from the Parking Area

Signs at the Beginning of the Hike

Rocks Below Sam's Point

New Sign for Refurbished Lenape Steps

Lenape Steps Trail

Recently Closed Crevice

Sam's Point View

Loop Road with Miniature Pitch Pines

Approach to Ice Caves

Descending the Steps Into the Ice Caves

Inside the Largest Cave in the Ice Cave

More Ice Caves Terrain

View Exiting the Ice Caves

Awosting Falls and Sheldon Falls at Minnewaska Rain Hike

Minnewaska State Park
Ulster Co., New York

Hiking Trails:
Peters Kill Carriageway: Red blaze
Awosting Falls Connector Trail
Red Loop: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.0 Miles

Pros: Excellent waterfalls and scenic area
Cons: Busy area
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Very difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://goo.gl/maps/yjRQX7anaWr4U2bCA

The weather has been extremely rainy, with several inches over Saturday and more predicted during the day. I decided to go to Minnewaska to the waterfalls which I figured would be impressive. Indeed they were! I figured due to the weather it would be quiet, but there was a public race here and there were many people present on the Peters Kill Carriageway. 

I parked at the lower parking area at main entrance to Minnewaska, and took the Peters Kill Carriageway to Awosting Falls. I took pictures at the top above the falls, and then below at the bottom with the falls roaring in front of me. I then continued along the Peters Kill Carriageway to the Awosting Falls Connector Trail. I crossed Route 44/55 at the terminus of the trail, at the Peters Kill area of the park.

I then took the Red Loop down to the Peters Kill. Once I reached the Peters Kill, I got off the trail and went upstream. There used to be a trail here alongside the water, which I followed up to the waterfalls. This route is not on the trail and is quite wild, and is not known by many people. It's definitely better this way as this area is a secret and quiet hidden gem of Minnewaska State Park. 

Near the footer of the falls is an old hydroelectric power station, which powered the old Mountain House Hotel in Minnewaska from power from the falls. There are actually two waterfalls here: On the left is the Peters Kill Falls, which is a small falls along the rockface, and the much larger Sheldon Falls to the right. I believe that the waterfall used to flow over the Peters Kill Fall, and then a dam was built above that diverted the bulk of the water to Sheldon Falls.

Sheldon Falls was very impressive. It was just a sheer wall of rushing water and was amazingly impressive. In the past I've taken the route up on the dry part of the Peters Kill Falls, but now with all the rain and slippery rock I opted for an overgrown deer path up to Route 44/55. This proved very difficult in the current wet conditions with slippery rock and wetness everywhere. I still got soaked even though I was dressed and prepared. I then crossed over Route 44/55 and took the Peters Kill Carriageway back to my car, passing along many runner in the rain along the way.

Map of the Route

Rain, Fog, and Overflowing Water

Peters Kill Carriageway

Peters Kill

Top of the Waterfalls

Awosting Falls After Heavy Rains

Small Short Falls on the Awosting Carriageway

Peters Kill Carriageway Scenery

Awosting Falls Connector Trail

Seasonal Swamp near the Peters Kill Area

Peters Kill Area Parking Area

Large Rock at the Red Loop Trail

Back at the Peters Kill, at the Red Trail

Small Falls on the Peters Kill at the Bushwhack

The Roaring Sheldon Falls

Old Hydroelectric Pumping Station Near Sheldon Falls

Peters Kill Falls

Large Group of People at the End of the Race