Ashokan Quarry

Our first winter venture was to the Ashokan Quarry. The trail was made in cooperation with the Catskill Mountain Club and the NYCDEP. The trail is an easy 2 mile fairly level loop that offers a lot of really cool views. At about 0.3 miles in you will encounter the stone ruins of what was a former explosive storage for the quarry. As you continue on towards the top of quarry a few viewpoints appear on your right. A view of the quarry from above is really cool if not a bit intimidating for those of us not fond of ledges! As you continue on you descend to the old railway bed at about 0.6 miles. Here you encounter a 0.2 mile spur trail that will take you to ruins of the railroad loading area. This is a cool detour that has lots to see. Follow the spur back to the railroad bed and continue on to the bottom of the quarry. Here there are magnificent views of the quarry and vernal pool. In winter the ice formed on the face of the rocks is beautiful. Following the trail you will return to the parking lot in about 0.7 miles.