Verkeerderkill Falls and Ice Caves

Sam's Point is the kind of place that makes you wonder how you ended up somewhere this wild so close to the Hudson Valley. This hike strings together the three big attractions of the preserve, the Sam's Point overlook, the ice caves, and Verkeerderkill Falls, into one moderate day of roughly 7 miles.

The hike starts at the Sam's Point Visitor Center and parking lot. From there you walk around the gate onto Loop Road, a wide old carriage road that climbs steadily up the ridge. The first stretch, about 0.6 miles, takes you up to Sam's Point itself, the high point of the Shawangunks at about 2,255 feet. The overlook at the top is the first big reward, with the Wallkill Valley spread out below and the Catskills on the horizon. Plenty of people stop here and head back, but the best of the hike is still ahead.

From the overlook, you drop back to Loop Road and continue across the plateau. The vegetation is a dwarf pitch pine barren, one of only a few in the world, and it's strange and beautiful: stunted, gnarled pines growing out of pale rock, with blueberries and huckleberries underfoot. There is almost no shade, so the views stay big.

The ice caves are the highlight for most people. They're not true caves but deep crevices between giant slabs of conglomerate rock, and cold air pools inside so that ice and snow can last well into the summer. You follow a marked route through narrow passages, with tight squeezes and wet or icy footing. Bring a headlamp or flashlight and shoes with real traction. It's a great place to be on a hot day because it can be much cooler inside.

Back on Loop Road, the Verkeerderkill Falls trail branches off and leads out to the falls, which drop about 180 feet. They're at their best in spring or after a good rain, and can slow to a trickle in a dry summer, so check recent conditions if the falls are your main goal. When you're done, you retrace your steps to the lot. If you have energy left, you can extend the day by following Loop Road around Lake Maratanza on the way back.

The rock here is rough and uneven, and the preserve is exposed, so weather matters. Start early, bring plenty of water, and check the current status of the ice caves before you go, since access and conditions can change with the season.