Mossy Glen/Blueberry Run/Long Path/Hamilton Point Loop

December 9, 2012
Distance: 9.1 miles
Time: 3 hours 58 minutes (hiking fast for us)
Map: Shawangunk Trails
Parking: Parking on Route 44/55. Pay $8 parking fee at entrance. We realized today that fees for Minnewaska versus Mohonk are different. Immediately after the parking booth, turn right - don't go straight. Turning right will lead you to the parking lot with the trailhead (versus straight which will lead you to the parking area next to Lake Minnewaska).
Restrooms: Porta potties in parking lot. Nicer restrooms available in non-winter months.
Post hike dinner: Karma Road, New Paltz (vegan)
Directions: Mossy Glen, Blueberry Run, Long Path, Hamilton Point Loop

Notes: This hike is idyllic, even on a cold grey day in December. We saw very few people on the trails until we got to Lake Minnewaska at the end. Before then, we only saw a handful of joggers on the carriage roads. Minnewaska State Park has incredible views. This hike is rated moderate. The carriage roads make for easy hiking. The trails are not difficult either, though there is occasional rock scrambling (we had to airlift Moxie once after she failed to scale an 8 foot wall - what was she thinking???).

The bridge on the Mossy Glen Path is out. Actually, we saw no sign of a bridge. The stream crossing was a little tricky - hiking poles were very helpful.

In the hike description, the trail mentions the aqua blazed Long Path. That section is now blazed orange - 90% of the aqua Long Path blazes are covered in orange.

Year to date miles: 393.3

Portion of the stream crossing

Mossy Glen is a beautiful section of the trail, with large rocks alongside the river.
The rocks are VERY slippery when wet.

Intersection with Blueberry Run Path

Blue blazed Blueberry Run Path

Intersection of Blueberry Run Path and Upper Awosting Carriageway

Turning right onto Upper Awosting Carriageway

Same view as above - trying out zoom feature on my camera

Sign for Rainbow Falls, which we didn't visit. We turned the opposite direction (left) onto the Long Path/Rainbow Falls Trail

Turning left onto the Rainbow Falls Trail/Long Path

The aqua Long Path blazes have been painted over with orange.  Not sure if the Long Path has been re-routed?

Views of the Catskills in the background

Catskills partially in the clouds

This reminds me of Charlie Brown's Christmas tree

Trek on top of a rock scramble

Glen climbing onto a ledge

Glen says that is far enough....

Dogs on ledge, Lake Awosting in background

Lynn & dogs on opposite ledge

A family of cairns

Turn left on Hamilton Point Carriageway

Glen testing the echo.

Lake Minnewaska beach

Lake Minnewaska, view near parking lot