Minnewaska: State Park September 2010

Minnewaska State Park Preserve   New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Palisades Interstate Park Commission Minnewaska State Park Preserve September 2010 Public Programs  Participation for public programs is on a first-come, first-served basis, unless otherwise noted, and programs may fill to capacity quickly as space is limited. For outings, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring snacks and water. A parent or guardian over the age of 18 years must accompany children wishing to participate in any programs. Unless otherwise noted, all programs meet at Nature Center. Minnewaska Nature Center Hours: Saturday, Sunday and Holidays 10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. from Memorial Day until Columbus Day. Staff will be either at the Nature Center or out in the Park leading public programs during these time slots. When the building is closed, an information center will be available on the porch to assist patrons with questions about the Park Preserve. Public Programs at Minnewaska State Park Preserve in September : Saturday, September 4, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Scrambled Snakes Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken in the Minnewaska Nature Center for a program about slippery snakes. A brief lesson about the snakes found in the Park Preserve will be followed by our Snake Scents Game, where you are the snake and must determine what is inside a container by scent alone. After this short game, everyone will create their own snake jig-saw puzzle to take home! This program is appropriate for children seven years of age and older, accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Sunday, September 5, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Raptors of the Ridge Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken for a four-mile hike to Echo Rock, a rock ledge offering a panoramic view of the deep Palmaghatt Ravine and an excellent observation point for the many species of raptors at Minnewaska. Learn a few basic differences between each of the large, predatory birds seen gliding over the Shawangunk Ridge. Monday, September 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Minnewaska Berry Pickers Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken to explore the network of paths in the meadows, site of the former Minnewaska golf course. Along the way, we’ll discuss the plentiful, edible berries found within the Park Preserve, and the Shawangunk Ridge community of pickers that historically cultivated this fruit for income. With great views of the Catskills, remnants from the resort era of Minnewaska and numerous blueberry bushes, this hike is a relaxing and fun stroll. Tuesday, September 7, 8:00 a.m.: Early Morning Birders Designed for birding enthusiasts, or those just looking to learn the basics, the series will offer various outings led by experienced birding volunteers and park naturalists. Participants will meet at the Park Preserve main entrance and should come prepared with binoculars and a field guide. Outing destinations will be determined the day of the program. Other dates for program include September 14th and 21st. Saturday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Mini Ridge Hike to Gertrude’s Nose Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken for an adventurous eight-mile round trip hike to Gertrude’s Nose, one of the most expansive views in the Park Preserve. This route will take us along the Palmaghatt Ravine on Millbrook Mountain Carriage Road, through shaded forest, and finishing on the pristine, white conglomerate cliffs of Gertrude’s Nose footpath. The hike is rated as challenging, with a steep rock scramble in both directions. Pre-Registration is Required. Tuesday, September 14, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Tuesday Trek on Mossy Glen This three mile round trip hike follows along a footpath through the woods surrounding the Peter’s Kill stream and returns on the Lower Awosting Carriage Road. Home to many birds and an abundance of plants, this walk offers plenty of nature to view! Saturday, September 18, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Hudson River Valley Ramble: Not So Early Bird Walk: Scott Baldinger, local naturalist and leader of the early morning birding series, will lead this birding walk with accompaniment from Laura Conner, Environmental Educator. The walk is designed for later rising birding enthusiasts and those just looking to learn the basics. The walk will follow a three-mile long loop on various carriage roads and footpaths around Lake Minnewaska and will include a stunning view of the Catskill Mountains. Participants should come prepared with binoculars and a field guide. Sunday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Volunteer Trails Day Come to the Park Preserve to meet new friends, help improve trail conditions and learn about basic trail maintenance from experienced trail keepers. Join members of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, a region wide volunteer organization devoted to maintaining and improving public trails, and Park Preserve staff to help improve an overgrown footpath. Volunteers will use hand tools to clip back overgrown shrubs and clear woodland debris. This event is also a great way for students in public school to accrue necessary community service hours for completion of their requirements. This program is recommended for adults and teenagers, who must be accompanied by a parent or guardian over the age of 18 years. Participants are encouraged to bring their own work gloves and tools including loppers, bow saws and clipping shears. The parking fee will be waived for participants volunteering for this program. Pre- registration is required. Saturday, September 25, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Falls and Foliage Walk Join Park Preserve educator Jillian Koehnken for a colorful stroll along the Awosting Falls Carriage Road. Our destination is Awosting Falls, a 65-foot tall waterfall that is beautiful in every season. Along the way, we’ll discuss why we have an explosion of color every fall, and learn some basic tree identification. Meet at the Peter’s Kill Parking Area. Sunday, September 26, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Project Wet: H2O Olympics! Stop by the Minnewaska Nature Center to see and play with demonstrations that teach about the unique properties of water. See how many pennies can be dropped into a cup of water before it spills over and other fun activities. This program is appropriate for people of all ages. All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at least 18 years of age. Tuesday, September 28, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Tuesday Trek to Compass Rock A park naturalist will lead this approximately two-mile long hike on footpaths that feature hills and rocky sections to navigate. From Compass Rock, on a clear day, the views of the Catskill Mountains are spectacular. Meet at the Peter’s Kill Parking Area. For more information and to register for programs, please call the Park Preserve Office at 845-255-0752. The Park Preserve is open from 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. through August 1st. As of August 2nd, the Park Preserve will close at 8:00 p.m. until Labor Day, September 6th. The fee for parking at Minnewaska is $8 per car. All fees are subject to change. There are no additional fees for public programs, unless noted otherwise. Minnewaska State Park Preserve consists of approximately 21,000 acres of wild and scenic land located on Route 44/55, five miles west of the intersection with Route 299 in Gardiner, New York.