The Jewish Outdoors Club

The Ridge Trail stretching from Millbrook Mountain to Gertrude’s Nose is perhaps the most picturesque vista in the Shawangunks, and is personally my favorite hike in the area. I’ve never done this during the fall foliage season. This has me psyched up for this one!

This hike is not an easy one yet not brutal for seasoned hikers. This is a good 5-6 hour loop, plus close to 2 hours travel time from the city (each way), so think twice before signing up. In order to make sure that you’ll be home before sundown, youll need to kick your tail outta bed quite early on this Sunday morning. Again, before saying yes to this hike, ask yourself if you’re ready.

Ok now, after chasing away all the would-be-one-day-great-hikers, all the late get-uppers, and hopefully all the whiners and people with flip-flops, let me indulge and give you the scoop.

Yup, thats yours truly! Thats me at Gertrudes Nose last summer

Well cover 7.5 miles and gain 1180 ft in elevation.

This is the way one author puts it: “with a high point of 1,730 feet, Gertrude’s Nose juts like a ship’s prow over the surrounding lowlands. The vast Wallkill Valley stretches to the south, while Castle Point and Hamilton Point highlight thick cliffs on the far side of Palmaghatt Ravine. But the most intriguing feature is the rock itself: layered white Shawangunk conglomerate that over the eons has fractured and fallen away in massive blocks, leaving behind sheer edges veined by deep fissures.”

Meeting time is 8:59am

Meeting place: Minnewaska State Park parking lot

Directions:

Take I-87 N/New York State Thruway N toward Albany

Take exit 18 for RT-299 toward New Paltz/Poughkeepsie

Turn left at Main St/RT-299 W

Turn right at RT-55

Follow signs to Minnewaska State Park parking lot

To register please email Sarah at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the following information, and put "Minnewaska Fall Foliage" in the subject:

1)      Name

2)      Cell #

3)      Where will you be coming from?

4)      Form of transportation?

5)      Do you need a ride or can you offer a ride?

6)      List some of the longer or tougher hikes you did in the recent past

7)      Did you put "Minnewaska Fall Foliage" in the subject?

Fees:

$2 JOC fee; $7 parking fee (for drivers); appropriate compensation for your drivers ($10-20 per person, depending on amount of passengers)

What to bring:

2 liters of water, hiking boots preferred, lunch and some snacks.