OVERVIEW
	Trail Name:	Wild Meadow Road (From Black Bear PA to Neversink-Hardenburgh TH)
	Trail Name:	Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail (From Wild Meadow Road to Balsam Lake PA)
	Trail Name:	Beaver Kill Road (From Balsam Lake PA to Mongaup-Hardenburgh TH)
	Trail Name:	Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail (From Mongaup-Hardenburgh TH to Mongaup Pond)
	Trail Name:	Mongaup Pond Snowmobile Trail (From Mongaup-Hardenburgh TH to Mongaup-Willowemoc TH)
	Trail Name:	Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail (From Mongaup-Willowemoc TH to Flugertown Road)
	Trail Name:	Flugertown Road (From Mongaup-Willowemoc TH to Long Pond TH)
	Trail Name:	Long Pond Trail (From Flugertown Road to Gun Club Road)
	Trail Name:	Gun Club Road (From Long Pond TH to Basily Road)
	Trail Name:	Basily Road (From Gun Club Road to Wild Meadow Road / Black Bear PA)
	Forest :	Balsam Lake Wild Forest
	Forest :	Big Indian Wilderness
	Forest :	Willowemoc Wild Forest
	Parking Area :	Black Bear Parking Area off Wild Meadow Road
	Winter Access:	Parking Area is plowed!
	Primitive Camp sites:	5 Camp Site locations
	DEC Campgrounds:	1 Mongaup Pond Campgrounds
	Lean-to sites:	2 Lean-to ( Big Indian Wilderness & Willowemoc Wild Forest )
	Access:	Hike or snowshoe
	Trail Length:	26.14 miles
	Long Pond Lean-to Trail:	0.74 (round-trip)
	Trail Type:	50% Single-track trail / 50% Double-track trail
	Hiking Time:	3 day BACKPACK
	Lowest Elevation:	2,082' (A)
	Highest Elevation:	3,000' (A)
	Views :	1 view spot
	Difficulty:	Moderate
	USGS Map:	USGS Claryville Quad Maps
	USGS Map:	USGS Seager Quad Maps
	USGS Map:	USGS Willowemoc Quad Maps
	DEC Trail Map:	DEC Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest Map (free)
	DEC Trail Map:	DEC Big Indian Wilderness Map (free)
	DEC Trail Map:	DEC Willowemoc Wild Forest Map (free)
	Digital Mapper:	Topo      Terrain      Satellite

	Notes About Hiking the Hardenburgh-Willowemoc Loop Trail
	TRAIL
	The Hardenburgh-Willowemoc Loop Trail runs through three separate New York State Forest. From Black Bear Parking Area up Willowemoc Parking Area is in the Willowemoc Wild Forest. The first half of the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail is in the Big Indian Wilderness. But, once you take a turn west at the Beaver Kill Brook, you then enter into the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest. When you reach the Trailhead for the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail, you then enter back into the Big Indian Wilderness. Once you reach the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds, you then enter back into the Willowemoc Wild Forest. And, you will stay in the Willowemoc Wild Forest until you reach your car at the Black Bear Parking Area. The Hardenburgh-Willowemoc Loop Trail is mainly a flat forest walk. But, there are mountains on the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. You can ski on the trails, with the exception of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. The best time to hike this trail is when the leaves are not on the trees. The section of the Neversink-Hardenburgh Loop Trail that can cause problems is the turn between the trail being east-and-west and north-and-south. This section around the end of the Beaver Kill Brook is where some people walk off the trail. So, just review the section below to avoid this problem. It is less of a problem when the leaves are not on the trees. If you are pressed for time, you can also leave the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail at Sand Pond Mountain Trail Junction for the Long Pond Trail. This would cut off approximately 2-1/4 miles. After a large rain storm, you probably will not be able to cross the Beaver Kill Brook on the east-west and north-south corner of the trail.
	CAMPSITES & LEAN-TO
	There are a number of primitive DEC campsites. All of them are on level ground. Most have easy access to water. There are also some campsites at the Trailhead of the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail off Flugertown Road on the Willowemoc Creek. They have been there for years, but there are NO DEC campsite yellow markers there. The Fall Brook Lean-to is fairly overgrown in the summer months. Obtaining water for the lean-to is the biggest problem. You need to hike quite a ways to get water. So, beware of the water issue before you get there. The Long Pond Lean-to is very nice. But, you have to hike down the hillside to Long Pond to get water.
	PARKING
	Parking at the Black Bear Parking Area is pretty easy in the summer months. But, during the hunting season and snowmobile season, it is quite busy.
	OTHER INFORMATION
	There is NO cell phone service.

	DIRECTIONS to WILD MEADOW ROAD Parking Area from Exit 18 (New Paltz)
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area WGS84 (DEC): 41.974833, -74.578967 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area Deg/Min/Sec: N41 58 29, W74 34 44 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area GPS: N 41 58.490, W 74 34.738- Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area UTM: 18N 534883 4647068 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 18 (New Paltz).
	Take a LEFT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 299 West.
	Go approximately 7.3 miles on Rt 299 West
	Take a RIGHT onto Rt 44
	Go approximately 10.3 miles on Rt 44
	Take a LEFT onto Rt 209 in Kerhonkson
	Go approximately 4.4 miles on Rt 209
	Take a RIGHT onto Rt 55 in Napanoch
	Go approximately 16.1 miles on Rt 55
	Take a RIGHT onto Claryville Road (Rt 157)
	Go approximately 4.6 miles on Rt Claryville
	Take a LEFT onto Frost Valley Road (Rt 47)
	Go approximately 1.4 miles on Frost Valley Road (Rt 47)
	Take a LEFT onto Pond Road
	Go approximately 0.7 miles on Pond Road
	Take a RIGHT onto Wild Meadow Road
	Go approximately 2.7 miles on Wild Meadow Road
	DEC Parking Area is on the RIGHT side of the road. Small Parking Area directly off road- Holds 4 cars

	DIRECTIONS to WILD MEADOW ROAD Parking Area from Exit 19 (Kingston)
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area WGS84 (DEC): 41.974833, -74.578967 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area Deg/Min/Sec: N41 58 29, W74 34 44 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area GPS: N 41 58.490, W 74 34.738- Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Wild Meadow Road Parking Area UTM: 18N 534883 4647068 - Elevation is about 2,608 feet
	Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
	Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
	Go approximately 30.4 miles on Rt 28 West
	Take a LEFT onto Rt 47 in Big Indian
	Go approximately 19.3 miles on Rt 47
	Take a RIGHT onto Pond Road
	Go approximately 0.7 miles on Pond Road
	Take a RIGHT onto Wild Meadow Road
	Go approximately 2.7 miles on Wild Meadow Road
	DEC Parking Area is on the RIGHT side of the road. Small Parking Area directly off road- Holds 4 cars

MILEAGE CHART - Hike for the Hardenburgh-Willowemoc Loop
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail (Black Bear Parking Area TO Balsam Lake Parking Area
	0.00	0.00	2,082'	Black Bear Parking Area on Wild Meadow Road
	0.01	0.01	2,079'	Road Junction with Basily Road
	2.40	2.41	2,608'	Wild Meadow Parking Area
	0.46	2.87	2,635'	End of Public Wild Meadow Road -> Rough dirt road
	0.55	3.42	2,602'	Trailhead for Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail
	0.14	3.52	2,610'	Cross Stream
	1.20	4.72	2,660'	Fall Brook Lean-to
	1.10	5.82	2,670'	Leave Beaver Kill Brook
	0.16	5.98	2,668'	Trail Junction - Go LEFT (Back to old trail)
	0.12	6.10	2,565'	Trail Junction - Go LEFT (new trail)
	0.03	6.13	2,545'	Campsite (east)
	0.49	6.62	2,486'	Side Trail to Tunis Pond (Left of trail)
	0.12	6.74	2,470'	Campsite (west)
	0.10	6.84	2,460'	Rotting Bridge
	0.13	6.97	2,442'	Trail Junction - Go LEFT (right goes to Beaver Kill Road
	0.14	7.11	2,480'	Swamp off to the left of the trail
	0.42	7.53	2,468'	Slimy Green Stream Crossing
	0.08	7.61	2,490'	Dirt Road for Vehicles - Goes to private land (north-bound)
	0.10	7.71	2,469'	DEC bridge - East
	0.95	8.66	2,396'	DEC bridge - West
	0.43	9.09	2,564'	Neversink-Hardenburgh DEC Registration Box
	0.10	9.19	2,588'	Balsam Lake Mountain Trail Head
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Beaver Kill Road (Balsam Lake Parking Area TO Hardenburgh Parking Area
	1.88	11.07	2,588'	Beaver Kill Road to Monguap-Hardenburgh Trail Head
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail (Hardenburgh Parking Area TO Mongaup Pond)
	0.00	11.07	2,270'	Hardenburgh Parking Area
	0.06	11.13	2,200'	Cable Swing Bridge over Beaver Kill Brook
	0.78	11.91	2,945'	Willowemoc Summit Ridge
	1.24	13.15	3,226'	Highest spot on Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail on Willowemoc Mtn (actual summit is 150' off trail)
	0.80	13.95	2,829'	Sand Pond Mtn Bog
	0.65	14.60	2,602'	Trail Junction on Sand Pond Mtn
	0.68	15.28	2,986'	West Sand Pond Mountain Summit
	1.16	16.44	3,000'	Mongaup Mountain Summit
	1.44	17.88	2,222'	DEC Registration Box by Mongaup Pond
	0.06	17.94	2,187'	End of Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail by Mongaup Pond
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Mongaup Pond Snowmobile Trail (Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trailhead to Mongaup-Willowemoc Trailhead)
	0.01	17.95	2,188'	Bridge #1 on Mongaup Pond Trail
	0.10	18.05	2,188'	Bridge #2 on Mongaup Pond Trail
	0.09	18.14	2,232'	Bridge #3 on Mongaup Pond Trail
	0.16	18.30	2,261'	Bridge #4 on Mongaup Pond Trail
	0.12	18.42	2,264'	GO LEFT at Trail Junction to Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail (Mongaup Pond Snowmobile Trail TO Flugertown Road)
	1.18	19.60	2,239'	Bridge #1 on Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail
	0.14	19.74	2,236'	Continue STRAIGHT at Butternut Junction
	0.39	20.13	2,123'	Bridge #2 on Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail
	0.61	20.74	2,175'	Bridge #3 on Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail
	0.15	20.89	2,200'	Continue STRAIGHT over "Private" Dirt Road for Vehicles
	0.36	21.25	2,244'	Continue STRAIGHT at Trail Junction (completes loop)
	0.44	21.69	2,022'	End of Trailhead at Flugertown Road
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Flugertown Road Kill Road (Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail to Long Pond Trail
	0.06	21.75	2,588'	Beaver Kill Road to Monguap-Hardenburgh Trail Head
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Long Pond Trail (Flugertown Road to Gun Club Road
	0.00	21.75	2,239'	Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail from Flugertown Road
	0.74	22.49	2,236'	Trail Junction to the Long Pond PA Spur Trail
	0.45	22.94	2,123'	Long Pond Lean-to Trail
	0.71	23.65	2,175'	Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail from Gun Club Road
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Gun Club Road (Long Pond TH to Basily Road)
	0.00	23.65	2,239'	Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail
	0.38	24.03	2,236'	Road Junction for Gun Club Road & Basily Road
	Distance	Mile Point	Altitude	Basily Road (Gun Club Road to Black Bear parking area)
	0.00	24.03	2,239'	Road Junction for Gun Club Road & Basily Road
	0.34	24.37	2,236'	Gun Club Road TO Primitive Campsite
	1.76	26.13	2,236'	Primitive Campsite to Wild Meadow Road
	0.01	26.14	2,236'	Black Bear Parking Area

Backpack the Hardenburgh-Willowemoc Loop Trail from Black Bear Parking Area

After driving up Wild Meadow Road a short distance, you will see this sign on the right side of Wild Meadow Road. You want to pull into either of the two entrances to the Black Bear Parking Area.

Once you reach the open area on Wild Meadow Road, you will have private property on both sides of the road. There will be another house on the left side of the road. The owner is a little cranky, so stay on the road. But, you will be able to get a nice view over the meadow of the Catskill Mountains while walking up the road. As you walk up Wild Meadow Road, you will see a forest ahead, and the double-lane section of Wild Meadow Road turns into a rough one-lane dirt road. You will continue your hike up the one-lane dirt road, which is a continuation of Wild Meadow Road.

As you start to walk up the one-lane dirt section of Wild Meadow Road, the land will suddenly turn back to DEC public land. Unfortunately there is no place to park on this section of DEC public land. The DEC public land will continue for another 1/4 mile before it turns back into private property again. You will continue to walk down the one-lane dirt Wild Meadow Road until the end.

When you see a white house on your LEFT, this is where Wild Meadow Road will come to an end. When you walk past the house on the one-lane dirt section of Wild Meadow Road, you will see the Trailhead to the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. This Trailhead is NOT marked from Wild Meadow Road. You want to take a LEFT and walk down this trail. The DEC Trail Markers for the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail are YELLOW.

Within 50 feet, you will enter NYS DEC public land again. This is the Trailhead for the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. The DEC Trail Markers for the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail are YELLOW. For the next 2+ miles, you will be hiking on this double-track trail, which is mostly flat. Most of the trail is dirt with very vew rocks.

After a short distance down the trail, you will come to this water crossing. If you need water for your hike, or if you are staying at the Fall Brook Lean-to, this is where you should stop and get water.

Most of this section of trail looks like this picture above. It is generally flat and rock free.

After hiking 1-1/3 miles, you will come to the Fall Brook Lean-to. There is NO water close by. The head of the marsh further up the trail is generally the best location to obtain water if you didn't bring any.

The trail then goes through the forest on an almost level ground. Along the path it is common to see large trees along the trail. In the past, this was probably farm land.

This is the large marsh on the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. If you are looking for water, keep hiking up the trail.

This is the outflow of the marsh. It is the best place to get water if you are staying at the Fall Brook Lean-to.

Again more flat hiking with another large tree.

This is the Beaver Kill Brook. Do NOT cross the brook here! Continue on the trail to the very edge of the brook. The trail actually runs down the LEFT bank of the Beaver Kill Brook. The left bank has some larger rocks that you will need to hike down. People often hike off the trail at this section, so follow these instructions carefully.

This picture (above) was taken looking back up the trail. The grassy area at the top-center of the photo is where you were in the previous picture above. You want to hike across the rocks you see in the center of the photo. You will come to a 6-8' bank at the end of the rocks (bottom-center of photo). You want to climb up the bank to where this photo was taken. Once on top of the bank, the trail can be easily seen. Follow the trail. The trail will take a turn to the left, and continue hiking until the trail ends at the bank of the Beaver Kill Brook (see next picture). At this point, you will be leaving the Big Indian Wilderness and entering the Balsam Lake Wild Forest.

You will need to cross the Beaver Kill Brook at this point. While the mossy rocks do not look safe, the tops of the rocks are often bare of moss and grippy enough to hop across the brook. After a large rain storm, the Beaver Kill Brook may not be able to be crossed at this point. You can consider crossing further up. After you cross the Beaver Kill Brook, you will continue your hike downstream.

After a short distance, there is a re-route of the trail. The old section of the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail is partially washed out for about 25' along the Beaver Kill Brook. While you can still get down the trail, they decided to re-route the trail. On your RIGHT, you want to look for the rock you see in the picture. Additionally, you want to look for the yellow birch tree growing on top of the boulder above the rock. On the left of those two objects, is the re-routed trail. So, when you find either of those objects, take a RIGHT onto the re-routed trail. On your LEFT, are also yellow trail markers telling you to turn right onto the Re-routed trail. If for some reason, you miss the trail junction to the re-routed trail, you can still continue down the old trail. Both paths will meet up again shortly.

This is where the old path and the new path meet up on the western end. In another 150 feet you will encounter another capsite on your RIGHT side. The Beaver Kill Brook will be on your left side.

This is the campsite that is located from the trail junction of the re-routed trail and the old path. There are no campsite markers for this campsite, but it is listed with the DEC as an official primitive campsite. So, it is legal to camp here. The campsite is level, and water is less then 100 feet away.

This is an optional side trip to Tunis Pond. It is located about 1/2 mile from the campsite you just passed. You may see an old road on the right side of the trail. The old road is easy to miss. It is overgrown and slightly eroded. This road will take you up to Upper Tunis Pond. The road is not maintained. If you encounter a campsite on the LEFT side of the trail, you passed the road to Tunis Pond 1/10 of mile ago. The old unmaintained road up to Tunis Pond is about a 1/3 of a mile long. You can also bushwhack over to the larger part of Tunis Pond you see in the distance. When you get done, return back down the old unmaintained road to the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail.

In about a 1/10 of a mile, you will see a faint trail (on your left) that goes down to the Beaver Kill Brook. By the brook is a DEC Primitive campsite. The land is flat and it makes for a good campsite. It is about 150' off the trail. This is the last of three official DEC campsites on the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail.

In another 1/10 of a mile, you will come to this rotting bridge that is overdue for a new deck. Hopefully, it will get a new deck soon. Most hikers walk up the middle of the tire tread boards where the vehicle tires roll over.

In another 1/10 of a mile, you will come to this trail junction. You want to turn RIGHT. Look for the "Trail" sign, and the two Yellow Trail Markers telling you to turn RIGHT. Straight will take you out to Beaver Kill Road (several miles away) near the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. If your car is located in the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area, take a right when you encounter the double-lane Beaver Kill Road (continue straight past the single-lane dirt road a short distance ahead).

After a short distance up the trail, you will see this swamp on your right. This is NOT Vly Pond.

Further down the trail, you will encounter one of the few conifer forest on the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. It is a small conifer forest.

This is the first of three water crossing in this section. This is the only one that does not have a bridge. But, you can cross this brook by hopping across the rocks. Some hikers refer to this water crossing as the Slimy Green Creek. Vly Pond is located a short distance upstream.

After a 2/10 of a mile past the slimy green creek, you will encounter this single-track dirt vehicle road. You want to continue across this road. Right will take you to a private home. Left will take you Beaver Kill Road near the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail Parking Area.

After another 1/10 of a mile, you will come to the second water crossing, called the Gulf of Mexico Brook. The Gulf of Mexico Brook has a nice bridge across it.

For the next mile, the trail will have a variety of terrain. There will be a some hilly sections, but there are still a few flat sections.

After a mile of hiking through the woods, you will encounter the third water crossing, which is call the Black Brook. After crossing the bridge you are about a 1/2 mile from the trailhead.

This is the DEC Registration box for the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail. Please register for your hike. Even if this is the end of your hike. Funds for trail maintenance are allocated based upon how many people register for the hike over time. If you have questions on the rules of hiking in a New York State Forest, the rules are listed on the tree next to the Registration Box. The most important rule is that you cannot camp within 150' of a road, trail, building, or water source, unless it is a designated primitive campsite. Also remember that whatever you bring into the woods, you need to take back out of the woods. Leave No Trace ("LNT").

The last 1/10 of a mile goes through an old meadow that now has a fern glade. Follow the trail down to the Trailhead at the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area.

This is the trailhead at Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area. When you walk into the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area, you want to exit the parking area to Beaver Kill Road. Take a LEFT and walk down the road 1.88 miles.

This is what the Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area looks like. This parking area fills up on Summer weekends. Please NOTE: The Balsam Lake Mountain Parking Area is closed in the Winter months. But, you can park at the Hardenburgh Parking Area 1.88 miles away in the Winter.

Hike down Beaver Kill Road to the Hardenburgh Parking Area. The Hardenburgh Parking Area 1.88 miles away.

The Hardenburgh Parking Area holds about 5-6 cars. It is located directly off the Beaver Kill Road. The DEC has a large sign on the side of the road. So, hard to miss.

This is the trailhead for the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. It is located in the middle of the Hardenburgh Parking Area.

The DEC Registration Box is located about 50' from the Hardenburgh Trailhead. Please register for your hike. Make sure you provide a good description of where you are going. If the NYS Rangers need to find you, this is the first place they will look to see where you might be in thousands of acres of forest. Additionally, funds for trail maintenance are allocated based upon how many people register for the hike over time. If you have questions on the rules of hiking in a New York State Forest, the rules are listed at the Hardenburgh Trailhead. The most important rule is that you cannot camp within 150' of a road, trail, building, or water source, unless it is a designated primitive campsite. Also remember that whatever you bring into the woods, you need to take back out of the woods. Leave No Trace ("LNT").

As soon as you walk past the DEC Registration, the trail drops 70' immediately. This is the Beaver Kill Creek Ravine that you are hiking down into. When you get across the Beaver Kill Creek, you will then have to hike up the other side of the ravine. Once at the bottom, you will see the entrance to the Cable Swing Bridge. Head towards the bridge.

This is the cable swing bridge over the Beaver Kill Creek. This type of bridge has a tendency to swing back-and-forth, so hang onto the cable railings as you cross the bridge. Please NOTE: The Beaver Kill Brook is privately owned in this area. There is an easement that allows hikers to cross over the brook legally. So, please stay on the trail. Both the edges and sides of the Beaver Kill Brook are privately owned. Please NOTE: This is the ONLY place you can get water on this trail! There are NO locations on this trail to obtain water.

Once you get above the Beaver Kill Brook ravine, the trail is pretty easy hiking. You will encounter fern glades almost immediately on this hike There are a few ledges to get up during the hike. They are pretty easy to get up. This one is much easier then it looks.

As you climb higher in elevation, the fern glades will get thicker and thicker. Most of the trail is quite enjoyable.

Once you have hiked a little less then 9/10 of a mile, you will reach the Willowemoc Ridge Line. The ridge line is very long. Almost a 1-1/2 miles long. There will be times where you think you have reached the summit, but you will soon discover that it is one of several false summits. The Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail is quite wild and rarely travelled. Many experienced hikers really enjoy this trail due to it's wildness and fern glades.

As you get near the high spot on the trail, it will level out. It is very easy to hike past the high point of the trail. If the trail starts plunging downhill, then you have just passed the high point on the Willowemoc Mountain. The Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail runs about 150' north of the actual summit. The actual summit is about 10' higher then the trail. The forest on the Willowemoc Mountain summit is thick in places. This is the end of the hike for the Willowemoc Mountain. The trail then drops off in elevation past this point as it heads over to Sand Pond Mountain. Before Sand Pond Mountain is a very young bog (600 years old according to Mike Kudish, PhD). The bog is fairly small. The trail gets more wild, and some route finding may be necessary.

Shortly after passing the summit of Willowemoc Mountain, the trail turns to the right and descends in elevation down the west ridge of Willowemoc Mountain.

Once at the bottom, you will travel for a distance on fairly flat land. Then it will descend a little further. At the bottom will be a small bog that is around 600 years old.

This is the small bog that is around 600 years old. The bog is less then 50 feet from the trail. After visiting the bog, you will then start to ascend up Sand Pond Mountain. The incline is not that steep, but the trail tends to wind around the forest a bit. So, pay attention to where the trail is going. In some areas, it is easy to hike off the trail. There will be a point where the trail then starts to descend. The summit of Sand Pond Mountain is several hundred feet away. If you plan on going to the summit of Sand Pond Mountain, look at the map prior to starting so that you understand where you need to bushwhack to.

This is the Trail Junction on Sand Pond Mountain for the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail and Long Pond - Beaverkill Ridge Trail. Continue STRAIGHT down the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail towards Mongaup Mountain.

This is the sign for the Trail Junction for Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail & the Long Pond - Beaver Kill Trail

The Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail is relatively flat with a couple ups-and-downs in elevation. The Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail is very wild. The undergrowth and fern glades are noticeable on the path. Make sure you continue to follow the BLUE Trail Markers.

After hiking about 3/4 of a mile on the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail, you will come to a new mountain summit. You might think that you have reached Mongaup Mountain. But, you haven't. This is West Sand Pond Mountain. You still have more then a mile of hiking before you reach Mongaup Mountain Summit.

After descending down West Sand Pond Mountain, you will be in the col between the two mountain. At the end of the col, you will have to ascend the side of East Mongaup Mountain 100-200 feet in elevation. Hiking up these small ledges is not particularly hard. Once it levels off, you will be very close to the Mongaup Summit. The distance between the two mountains is about 1-1/4 miles.

The top of Mongaup Mountain is a very small area. Once on top, you quickly realize where the summit is. The large tree is considered the summit. Once at the large tree in the picture, the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail turns 90 degrees to the LEFT. We should note that many consider this Mongaup Mountain. It is actually, East Mongaup Mountain. There are three Mongaup Mountains. West Mongaup Mountain is considered the highest peak of the three. If you want to take an optional visit to West Mongaup Mountain, you will need to bushwhack to that mountain.

As soon as you turn left at the East Mongaup Mountain summit, the trail will quickly descend in elevation. This portion of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail is well defined and fairly easy to follow. Since the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds is at the end of this trail, more people hike up to Mongaup Mountain this way. It is about 1-1/2 miles to from East Mongaup Mountain Summit to Mongaup Pond.

As you get further down the trail, the trees will start to get larger. There are quite a few large trees along the trail.

As you get close to the campground, large trees are seen more often. This large tree (almost 3 feet in diameter) is right in the middle of the trail. You actually have to hike around it. At this point, you have actually entered the Mongaup Pond Campground region. There are no signs to tell you that you have entered the campground region.

When you have reached this opening in the forest, you are fairly close to the end of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail

The DEC Registration Box on the Mongaup Pond side of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. In about 300 feet, you will hit the trail junction for the Karst Trail (campground trail) that runs around Mongaup Pond. Once you reach the Trail Junction, this will mark the end of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail. You want to take a LEFT onto the Karst Trail and go over the bridge.

At the end of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail is this very nice view of the upper Mongaup Pond. The upper Mongaup Pond is very small compared to the lower pond. But, still a very nice view.

The trail around the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds has quite a few bridges. This is the 1st of 5 bridges you will cross. It crosses the Mongaup Creek.

The trail around the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds has quite a few bridges. This is the 2nd of 5 bridges you will cross.

The trail around the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds has quite a few bridges. This is the 3th of 5 bridges you will cross.

The trail around the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds has quite a few bridges. This is the 4th of 5 bridges you will cross.

The trail around the Mongaup Pond Campgrounds has quite a few bridges. This is the 5th of 5 bridges you will cross.

After almost a 1/2 mile of hiking around the Mongaup Pond Trail, and going over 5 bridges, you will come to this Trail Junction. Go LEFT onto Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail. Straight would take you another 3/4 of a mile around the Mongaup Pond Campground on the Karst Trail. The Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail is also a snowmobile trail as well as a hiking and cross-country skiing trail.

Mongaup-Willowemoc Loop Trail has YELLOW Trail Markers. This is also a snowmobile trail with ORANGE Trail Markers. You will follow this trail for approximately 2.1 miles back to the Trailhead of this hike. Just follow this trail until you reach Flugertown Road.

At the beginning of the trail, it will climb in elevation for a short period of time before leveling off.

For an extended period of time, the trail will be fairly level, and easy to hike down.

There are a few fern glades that have grown into the road. But, there is no difficulty in following the road.

After about 2-1/3 miles, you will come to a Trail Junction, called Butternut Junction. You want to continue STRAIGHT on Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail. If you go right, on the Azalea Trail, it will take you to Terwilliger Road. Which is about 2-1/2 miles away. It is also a snowmobile trail with ORANGE Trail Markers.

The Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail continues down a fairly level path that is well defined. It is quite easy to hike on.

After 4/10 of a mile from Butternut Junction, you will encounter a second bridge that goes over Butternut Brook. After going over the bridge, the trail takes a 90 degree turn to the right.

After another 6/10 of a mile from the bridge over Butternut Brook, you will encounter a 3rd bridge on the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail. In another 750 feet you will encounter a dirt road that leads to private property by Sand Pond, which is north of the trail. Continue STRAIGHT across the dirt road.

In another 1/3 of a mile, you will encounter a Trail Junction that you took at the beginning of your hike. At this point, you will have completed the loop. You want to continue STRAIGHT on the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail. In another 1/2 mile you will come back to the trailhead of the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail off Flugertown Road.

Once back at the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trailhead you want to take a RIGHT onto Flugertown Road (on DEC land). You will hike down the Flugertown Road 337 feet (0.06 miles).

After hiking down Flugertown Road 337 feet you will find the trailhead for Long Pond Trail. This Trailhead is VERY EASY to miss! On the LEFT side of the road you can see a large tree. That is the Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail. There is a sign on the other side of the tree. It is VERY easy to miss this trailhead.

Once at the Trailhead, you will see the signs. That is the Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail. There is a sign on the other side of the tree. It is VERY easy to miss this trailhead! It is poorly marked

Very shortly after you start hiking down the Long Pond Trail, you will come to his bridge over the Willowemoc Creek. After crossing the bridge the trail will turn left.

Very shortly after you go over the first bridge, you will come to a second bridge by the Willowemoc Creek. After, you go over the bridge the Long Pond Trail will go up a hill.

The Long Pond Trail will then climb up a hill at a moderate incline. Once on top, the trail will level off.

The trail is quite peaceful and a nice hike through the Willowemoc Forest.

The beginning of the Long Pond Trail has an excellent conifer forest with a nice flat trail base. Very enjoyable hike.

After 3/4 of a mile, you will come to a Trail Junction. You want to continue STRAIGHT. Right would take you to the Long Pond Parking Area (about 1-1/3 miles). There is also a primitive campsite a little ways down the trail. It is located on the west side of Long Pond. Most hikers prefer to hike further down Long Pond Trail, and take the trail to the Long Pond Lean-to on the east side of Long Pond.

The other sign tells you where you just hiked. Continue STRAIGHT.

This is a picture of the Primitive Campsite a little ways down the Long Pond PA Spur Trail. It does have a nice view of Long Pond.

The Long Pond Trail continues through a beautiful conifer forest after you continue straight past the Long Pond PA Spur Trail.

After almost a 1/2 mile past the trail junction for the Long Pond PA Spur Trail, you will come to a second trail junction on your right. This trail junction will take you to the Long Pond Lean-to. Most hikers prefer this lean-to to the Primitive campsite off the Long Pond PA Spur Trail. Only disadvantage is that it does not have a view of Long Pond and the hike down to Long Pond is not the best.

Continue STRAIGHT if you are not going to stay at the Long Pond Lean-to. If you decided to stay at the Long Pond Lean-to, you will hike almost 4/10 of a mile to get there. It is not used very much in the summer months.

After you continue straight past the trail junction for the Long Pond Lean-to for about 7/10 of a mile, you will come to the other Traihead to Long Pond Trail off Gun Club Road. The 7/10 of a mile between the Long Pond Lean-to Trail and Gun Club Road has numerous water holes in the middle of the trail. Just hike them around them.

At the Trailhead for the Long Pond Trail and Gun Club Road, you want to take a LEFT and go up Gun Club Road. Basily Road is 0.37 miles up Gun Club Road. Right would take you about 200' down Gun Club Road to a fence for the Buck Horn Gun Club. This is POSTED Private Property!

You will hike up Gun Club Road and it has a slight incline. Both side of the road are on DEC Public Property in the Willowemoc Wild Forest.

Gun Club Road levels off as it winds through the Willowemoc Wild Forest.

After hiking up the Gun Club Road almost 4/10 of a mile, you will come to the Road Junction for Basily Road. You want to go RIGHT. Left will take you back to Flugertown Road. But, you cannot get over the Willowemoc Creek because the bridge is out. The Willowemoc Creek is deep.

About a 1/3 of a mile up Basily Road is a DEC Primitive Campsite directly off Basily Road on the right. You can park your car and camp there. There is only one space for a tent and/or a car.

The part of Basily Road that is on DEC property is just wide enough for one car. But, once you leave DEC public land, the road gets wider. There are some homes off DEC land. Before you get to Wild Meadow Road, the land becomes DEC public land again.

When you come to the end of Basily Road, the Black Bear Parking Area is about 50 feet away. Your is is done. Hope you had a great backpacking trip.

Links and References:

USGS Topo Map of the Claryville Quad

USGS Topo Map of the Seager Quad

NY DEC map of the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest (free)

NY DEC map of the Big Indian Wilderness (free)

NY DEC map of the Willowemoc Wild Forest (free)

DEC Information on the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest

DEC Information on the Big Indian Wilderness

DEC Information on the Willowemoc Wild Forest

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