Awosting Falls

GARDINER WEATHER

Minnewaska State Park Preserve, located in New York’s Shawangunk Mountain region, spans over 22,000 acres and is celebrated for its rugged landscape featuring sky lakes, dense forests, waterfalls, and dramatic cliffs. The park includes two glacial “sky” lakes, Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting, both surrounded by panoramic cliffside trails offering breathtaking views especially in the autumn season. With over 50 miles of paths along the mountain, visitors can hike, bike, and even cross-country ski, while designated areas are available for swimming, diving, and rock climbing.

While there are many things to see and do in the park, including multiple waterfalls, one of its most popular attractions is Awosting Falls, a 65-foot waterfall set along the Peters Kill stream. This picturesque plunge falls dramatically over a rocky ledge into a large pool below, surrounded by sheer cliffs and lush forest. Easy to get to, Awosting Falls is only a short walk along a gravel trail leading from the main parking area, making it a favorite for visitors looking to experience the beauty of the park up close.

The falls are particularly stunning after rain, when the water flow intensifies, creating a thunderous display. Visitors can admire Awosting Falls from different vantage points, including the base, which reveals the power and beauty of the cascade surrounded by rugged natural rock formations. The shaded areas and trails around the falls are great for hiking, picnicking, and photography, making it a must-visit for folks passing through, and if time is limited, the one thing to see within this massive park. Open year-round, the park and falls offer a unique experience in every season, with winter bringing an icy landscape, spring lush greenery, and fall vibrant foliage.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve has a rich history rooted in the late 19th century when Alfred Smiley, co-owner of the nearby Mohonk Mountain House, acquired land around Lake Minnewaska in 1869. Attracted by the natural beauty of the Shawangunk Mountains, Alfred and his twin brother Albert developed this area as a private resort centered around the Minnewaska Mountain House, which opened in 1879. The Smileys’ vision emphasized the region’s natural splendor, creating a space where visitors could find tranquility among forests, lakes, and cliffs. In 1879, they built the Minnewaska Mountain House, or Cliff House, overlooking Lake Minnewaska on the east side of the lake. Soon after, the Wildmere Hotel was built on the north side of he lake in the 1880s. These resorts became popular retreats through the early 20th century, drawing tourists from across the Northeast for hiking, swimming, and scenic lake views, but not drinking, as the Smileys were Quakers, who believed that drinking should be well moderated if not abstained from completely.

Changes came mid-century as resort culture declined, and both hotels faced challenges from changing tastes, the national highway system’s enabling of easy cross-country travel, and then airlines, which broadened the geographic limits of tourism even further. The Smiley family sold the two Minnewaska Resorts to their general manager, Kenneth Phillips Sr. in 1955, along with 10,000 acres of surrounding property, including Awosting Falls. Phillips had grand plans to update the resorts and add a ski center to fill out off-season vacancies. Bars were added and alcohol was finally an offering. Unfortunately, the resorts could not maintain the necessary guest capacity and began to wane. The Cliff House was abandoned in 1972 and ultimately destroyed by fire in 1978, and the Wildmere Hotel, left in disrepair, burned in 1986 and was demolished shortly thereafter.

For years following the demolition of the great resorts, private developers eyed the area for potential private housing, which would have transformed the land dramatically. Recognizing the need to protect this unique environment, New York State acquired the property in 1987, incorporating the land into the state park system and initiating conservation efforts. This purchase preserved the rugged landscapes and ecosystems, halting private development and setting the stage for the park’s current status as a protected preserve. In 1993, Minnewaska officially became Minnewaska State Park Preserve, with a mission focused on both conservation and public enjoyment.

The Smiley’s original resort, the Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, still stands and is considered one of the best resorts in the Mid-Atlantic. It remains in the Smiley family.

Ellenville Fault Ice Caves

The ice caves at Sam’s Point, located in the southwest end of Minnewaska State Park Preserve in Cragsmoor, NY, are a fascinating geological formation worth a visit. Situated along the Ellenville Fault in the Shawangunk Mountains, these caves are created within deep crevices of quartz conglomerate rock, which naturally insulates and traps cold air. This unique structure allows ice to persist well into summer months, even as temperatures rise, creating a cool and icy environment that has earned them their name. The caves’ climate and structure offer a rare experience of icy formations amidst summer greenery and is a favorite hike for many who visit in the hot summer months.

Designated a National Natural Landmark, the Ellenville Fault ice caves showcase a fascinating example of fault-line geology, where the fault’s depth allows cool air to flow and maintain frigid conditions. Visitors to the caves can hike through shaded trails with breathtaking views, and for safety, metal walkways guide hikers over the delicate terrain. The caves provide an immersive experience of the park’s natural beauty, inviting exploration while highlighting the geological history that shaped the Shawangunk Ridge.

Minnewaska State Park Preserve
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