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Minnewaska via Awosting Portal, Gunk Ridge to Mohonk, via Poughkeepsie: Gravel or Mtn bike

Way Points: 

Poughkeepsie RR Station (start)> Highland Bridge> Hudson Valley Rail Trail> 299> Wallkill Valley Rail Trail> 44/55> CR 7> Tillson Lake Rd> Awosting Portal, Minnewaska SP> Mohonk Preserve> Lenape Lane> R2R Trail> 299> Hudson Valley Rail Trail> Poughkeepsie RR Station (end)

 

 
Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Region Name(s): 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
4100
Difficulty: 
107
Difficulty Rating: 
5 out of 5
Credit for this route goes to John Z. 
June 28, 2022: NB: Erosion on the Awosting Portal is deepening, making climbing a bit more difficult, but the descent in places is now in the technical realm.
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5
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Beacon access Black Rock Preserve via Mtn Rd

Way Points: 

Beacon Railroad Station, start> 9D, Beacon Newburgh Bridge> Water St> 9W> Shore Rd> Rt 218> Mtn Rd> Reservoir Rd, Black Rock Preserve, end

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
Vertical Gain: 
1200
Difficulty: 
23
Difficulty Rating: 
3 out of 5
There is no way to access Black Rock Preserve on a bike without an ascent. Mtn Rd goes right for your jugulars, but it is paved. The culvert tunnel under Rt 9W at the top of Mtn Rd is the rabbit hole into this wonderland.
 
A bike permit is required for Black Rock Preserve.
 
 
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Salisbury Mills access Black Rock Preserve via Hulse Rd

Way Points: 

Salisbury Mills-Cornwall Railroad Station, start> Rt 94> Jackson Ave> Orrs Mills Rd> Rt 32 south> Quaker Ave> Rt 9W south> Peck's Rd> Hulse Rd> Black Rock Preserve, end

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
John Z
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
Vertical Gain: 
1300
Difficulty: 
20
Difficulty Rating: 
3 out of 5

Oh my, this is one of the toughest ascents in our region, and it is only an access road!

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5
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Anthony's Nose from South Mtn Pass, mtn bike

Way Points: 

South Mtn Pass> top of Anthony's Nose

Status: 
Submitted
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
500
Difficulty: 
x
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

This route is not a full destination ride as by itself it is less than 4 miles. You could hike it, but would probably just access the summit via the Appalachian Trail from 9d. This is an old carriage road, severely eroded, but a satisfying challenge on mtn bike. 

Directions only are given for one way, but as it is an out and back, you will have no problem reversing the route to the start.

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School Mountain Road, Cold Spring to East Mtn Rd

Way Points: 

Main Street, Cold Spring (start)> 301> 9d north> Campbell Rd> School Mountain Rd> East Mtn Rd (end)

Status: 
Submitted
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
Vertical Gain: 
1300
Difficulty: 
x
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

Here we have a 750' climb on a severely eroded road/trail for mountain bike. A leaf strewn coverage could give you the illusion that the surface is rideable, while it might not be so. Falling directly on rocks beneath leaves will break the illusion with more clarity than you might want. Care must be taken. More than likely you will be walking some sections. Walking is mountain biking too!

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Bear Mtn for everyone - shortest access and for hill repeats

Way Points: 

Manitou Metro North stop (start)> 9D south, Bear Mtn Bridge> 9W south> South Entrance Rd> 7 Lakes Drive> Perkins Memorial Drive> top of Bear Mtn> Perkins Memorial Drive> 7 Lakes Drive> 9W north> Bear Mtn Bridge> 9D north> South Station Rd, Garrison> Garrison Metro North southbound railroad platform (end)

Status: 
Approved
Author: 
Hank Schiffman
Signature Route : 
Level(s): 
A
B
C
Vertical Gain: 
1936
Difficulty: 
39
Difficulty Rating: 
4 out of 5

This route is the shortest on access to the top of Bear Mtn, aka Perkins, via Metro North.

Manitou is a stop on most outbound trains from GCT on weekends, please check that it is on the train you are planning on using. You can only exit the train in the last 2 cars of the train at Manitou. And there is no platform so you need to carry your bike down steps, a rather awkward maneuver. If this does not work for you, you can take the train one stop further to Garrison and go south on 9D, cycling the extra distance.

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