Ice Caves and Verkeerderkill Falls Trail Hike

Sam's Point Area of Minnewaska State Park Preserve

Verkeerderkill Falls from the trail - Sam's Point Preserve - Photo: Daniel Chazin Verkeerderkill Falls from the trail - Sam's Point Preserve - Photo: Daniel Chazin Sam's Point - Ice Caves - Verkeerderkill Falls - Photo: Daniel Chazin Sam's Point - Ice Caves - Verkeerderkill Falls - Photo: Daniel Chazin

This trail hike climbs to Sam's Point, with spectacular views, follows a narrow path through the crevices of the Ice Caves, and continues to Verkeerderkill Falls - the highest waterfall trail in the Shawangunks.

41.669963, -74.361649

From the parking area, walk around the gate and take the right fork of the Loop Road (a gravel road, closed to private vehicles). Follow the road uphill on switchbacks through a deciduous forest. In about half a mile, you'll pass dramatic cliffs of Shawangunk Conglomerate on the left, with excellent views from rock outcrops on the...

Prepare For Your Hike

Let's Go

Trip Reports

rate experience
October 15, 2014
0
This was an excellent trail.
<p class="MsoNormal">When we got there (just before 12pm on a Saturday) parking was full! Fortunately a car was pulling out and we took its spot. Signed in at the visitor center and we were off. The pavement road is great for people with kids and older folk. I was beginning to worry that the hike will be too easy. I was wrong and right off the main path there were wild trails leading to the ice caves and the falls. Have really good shoes because the rocks under your feet tend to be loose and really sharp.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">&nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I do not recommend this place during summer or early fall. No ice in the caves (I believe you can find ice from late fall to early summer) but it was nice to cool off and the waterfall was a bit dry. The vegetation was really beautiful but mostly low to the ground resulting in no sun shade and a lot of snakes. &nbsp;</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br><br></p>
EAMA
September 09, 2013
0
Fantastic
<p>my wife and I did the hike on 7 sep 2013 and thanks to some comments we added on the high point route. &nbsp;High point was the best hiking in our view. &nbsp;You hike long a rock ridge with gret views and terrific natural beauty. &nbsp; Of course the ice cave was excellent as were the falls. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>the parts of the hike we didn't love was the 1.2 or so miles from the ice caves to the falls. &nbsp;here the trail was loaded with football sized rocks projecting from the earth ; as a result we found ourselves looking down most of the time, to ensure sure footing vs looking around. &nbsp; Ditto for the hike from the high point carridge road back to the parking lot. &nbsp;appx 1-1.5 miles of gravel road. &nbsp; Not terribly interesting.</p> <p>again the falls, ice caves and high point trail were magnificent, the beginning and ending sections not so much. &nbsp;but definitely worth it. &nbsp;</p>
aharoche
August 14, 2012
0
Doorway at Ice Caves has been removed
<p>There was a doorway at the entrance to the last Ice Cave when I did the hike in 2003, but that doorway has since been removed (perhaps the Nature Conservancy felt that it was an "unnatural" feature that did not belong there).&nbsp; The hike has been updated to remove the reference to this doorway.</p>
Daniel Chazin
Log in or register to post comments