Close to New York City lies the Shawangunk Mountains, an outdoor person's paradise with the added benefits of superlative cuisine and a marketplace for fresh food.
In just one and a half hours of driving from the busiest city in the United States lies a true dream for the outdoors person. A line of cliffs on the western horizon just outside of New Paltz, New York marks the site of the Shawangunk Mountain range. These are familiarly called "the Gunks" by such diverse outdoor groups as climbers, hikers and mountain bikers. On any given day one can find an activity to fill your desire for adventure.
Many of the region's shops cater to adventure activities. In the town of New Paltz alone are a climbing store (called appropriately, Rock and Snow), three mountain bike shops that sell, rent and repair, a running store that also sells cross country ski equipment in the winter and kayaks in the summer, and New Paltz Outfitters which carries all the outdoor clothing and the etc.'s. (There is also a high concentration of chiropractors and massage therapists in the area. Is this coincidence or chance?)
Just north and west of New Paltz, by crossing over Mohonk Mountain and descending to the village of High Falls, you will find within the space of half a mile, some fine dining with the innovative cuisine of John Novi at the DePuys Canal House, a renovated building from the days when the Delaware and Hudson Canal was in operation, or the best burgers, made with local Angus beef, at Northern Spy. Or if your tastes run to nachos and beer, there's the Egg's Nest, a truly unique place to dine that reflects the artistic eccentricities of its owner. There is also Rock Cliff House, an old fashioned bar and boarding house, and the Clove Cafe which also serves breakfast on the weekends. Any of these places are sure to fill the empty spaces created by whatever actvity one chooses to participate in. The village of High Falls also includes a flea market on Sundays that runs from May up until the end of October for those who come up "leaf-peeping" in the fall. The Pottery Trail runs through this area going from Accord, New York through Stone Ridge and into High Falls. Several renowned potters have their studios and shops in this area. And not least, there are plenty of antique stores for browsing in.
The Shawangunks provide a stunning back drop for those of you who can't imagine spending too much time on indoor pursuits. Minnewaska State Park is west of New Paltz, New York (exit 18 on the New York State Thruway). Minnewaska at one time was a twin montain top hotel with Mohonk Mountain House on another mountain top. These two hotels catered to families who came up from New York City in the summer time to escape the heat and disease of that time of year in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Remember, air conditioning is a relatively new phenomenom. Mountain breezes were the only cooling system for many of our forebears.
At Minnewaska State Park, you can indulge yourself in hiking beautiful trails that curl around a crystal clear lake nestled in the top of the mountain. In the spring, the mountain laurels put on a spectacular display of pink and white. In the autumn, magnificent color displays await the viewer, as the leaves of the trees change to reds, yellows and oranges and are reflected in the lake. There is a beach for swimming and a launching site for canoes and kayaks. You are required to buy a pass to use the lake. There is a one time fee of $15. In the winter, cross country skiing takes you along trails under the evergreens and by frozen waterfalls.
Mohonk Preserve maintains a facility with instructional materials regarding the Shawangunk ridge. They also maintain a system of trails that range north through Mohonk Mountain lands. You must pay a fee to enter the preserve or be a member by paying yearly dues. There are trails for mountain biking on both mountains and these can be quite an adventure. Climbers from all over the world also come to the cliffs and they are famous for developing skills in climbers.
There are a number of camp grounds in the area both private and public. You can get a list of these from New York State's campground site on the web. There are also a good number of Bed and Breakfasts for those who are a little more sybaritic and like their creature comforts, instead of creatures making themselves comfortable in your tent.
All in all, the area has a wide range of activities that will fit both the pocket book and the activity level one desires. When the weekender heads back to New York City, it is often with a sense of regret at leaving but never with a feeling of being cheated of a wonderful time and a wonderful memory.
