Stony Kill Falls
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Stony Kill Falls is the site of one of many access points to the Catskill Aqueduct. It is located on the northwestern edge of the Minnewaska Preserve on land recently acquired by the State of New York and The Open Space Institute from Napanoch Sand and Gravel Company that once owned the land. Long a little know back entrance into the Minnewaska Preserve, utilized by curiosity seekers and more experienced mountaineers, as a more convenient access point to Stony Kill Falls and the accompanying creek and carriage road. A planned parking area within the next year should allow easier access.
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[edit] Hiking Guide
From the parking area walk East along a gravel woods road into an open clearing. On the left and right views begin to open. Steep cliffs are visible on the left and right as you continue further along the path. The higher section of the clearing features the fenced in shaft, a deep water valve, running hundreds of feet below the earth to the Catskill Aqueduct, one of the major sources of water for New York City. On the right is an aging helipad, possible utitized as a quick access point for repairs to the Aqueduct. Continuing along the woods road the path dips down into an expansive gravel pit. Care is needed in this area as the shale is loose and sure footing is not guaranteed. Cast iron bars and solid chunks of limestone, shale, and granite litter the area. There are steep embankments all along the left side of the gravel pit. Closer inspection of the gaps in the embankment find a view nearly 60 ft down to the bed of the Stony Kill Creek. Use caution as the embankment becomes very thin and should not be walked upon, especially in wet weather as it is slowly falling into the Stony Kill and the gravel pit.
Following the road South West, it slowly rises out of the gravel pit and re-enters the woods at the far end of the field. Views become temporarily obscured as the path approaches Stony Kill Falls. The path drops down to Cross Stony Kill Creek. Following the spring melt the creek may run high making the path impassable. Views of the falls begin to open up as the trail splits, one leading the base of the falls and another leading to the plateau above the falls.
[edit] Above the Falls
Hiking above the falls there is a picturesque cascade. Continuing upward there is a small rock dam creating a pool above the cascade. This pool is known as Nudist Pool as it is tradition to bath nude in clean spring waters of the pool. Beyond the pool the river can be followed upward for several miles, where the hiker will come across many pools and small cascades as the river winds up the hill.
[edit] Technical Info
Stony Kill Falls is 87 feet high and one of the highest in the Minnewaska Preserve. Leaving the base of the falls and returning to the main trail the path ascends the side of the valley slowly gaining elevation. As it nears the top there is a 30 foot cascade near the side of the trail. Linking up with the Stony Kill Carriage Way at 1550 FT The trail angles due west to the top of Stony Kill Falls. Views are expansive from the top of the falls, looking East, one can view the Stony Creek and Roundout Valleys. On a clear day there are views as far as Sullivan County. From the Carriage Way most of Minnewaska's trails are accessible.
- Use Caution When exploring this area, Ice on the falls, especially the top is common throughout the fall, winter, and into late spring.
[edit] Directions
From New Paltz: Take 299 West to 44/55. Make a right on to 44/55 and follow it over the Shawangunk Ridge. Look for Minnewaska Trail Road a few miles after descending the Western Side of the ridge. Make a left onto Minnewaska Trail Road. Immediately make your first left onto Rockhaven Road. Follow Rockhaven for a few miles as it winds steeply uphill. Near the end of Rockhaven bear left onto Shaft 2A road. The Road is marked by a very small piece of wood with "shaft 2A" written on it in small black letters. Follow it to the end. There is no parking area but the area at the end of the road immediately before a gate can accommodate two cars.
- Be very careful parking and turning around on this road as it is very narrow with a steep decline on the left side.
