Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Circuit Trail Hike

Lake Minnewaska carriage road circuit trail hike is very easy for me. I could probably do this whole hike in less than two hours if I don’t take any pictures. I highly recommend this hike for people who are new to hiking. The trail is very easy to follow. You also don’t need to go to Litchfield Ledge. You can just take the carriage roads and this will still provide you with lots of views and photography opportunities. Just watch out for the bikers. The carriage roads can serve as amazing bike paths as well.

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Lake Minnewaska Carriage Road Circuit Trail Important Information

Trail Map: Trail Map 1
Suggested Phone GPS Apps: Alltrails.com, Avenza Maps, Google Maps

Difficulty: Easy To Moderate
Distance: 9.2 Miles
Elevation Gained: 1000 ft
Portable Toilet At Parking: Yes

Trail Breakdown
Parking To Carriage Road Trail Head – 0.5 miles
Castle Point Carriage Road – 3.5 miles
Litchfield Ledge Trail – 0.5 miles
Litchfield Ledge Trail To Hamilton Point – 1.5 miles
Hamilton Point To Parking Lot – 3 miles

https://www.mapmyhike.com/workout/2528689647

Note: The information is just an approximation.

Parking

41.729052, -74.237042

There is a parking fee.

 

Start Of The Hike

There I sat at the edge of a cliff with the morning light shining brightly with its rays hitting the dark blue lake, creating glittering sparkles along the surface, like white fireflies swimming underneath the water then going up then disappearing back down again. I remained seated at the end of a ledge, admiring the scenery that I knew will be gone in a few days.

 

The beautiful lake with all its gradient of allure and elegance, the forest of trees who adorned their best vivid colors, and the clear blue sky, made this landscape reverberate in artistry. There was a sense of appreciation echoing inside my chest that I was lucky enough to be destined to be at this peculiar place in time.

 

Castle Point Trail Head

Smooth and solid, the road stretched on for miles without an inkling of ending, my boots made happy noises when they stepped on the tiny gravels in the road as I was excited for the adventure to start.

“Left! Left!” I heard someone in the back screaming.

“I always forget what this means. Should I go left or is someone going left so I should go right?” I thought to myself. Not knowing what to do, I made the decision to stand still and look behind me. A dozen or so bikers passed by on my left with one or two going to my right. It was the right decision as the road was big and wide, it was highly unlikely that someone would purposely hit me if I stood still.

 

Castle Point Carriage Road First View

The road was protected by a wall of trees, shrubs and different forms of plant life, but a spot on that wall appeared to have crumbled after a mile or so away. A pleasant cool breeze blew from the opening, hitting my cheeks and my chest, cooling my body a little. Scarlet, yellow, orange, and green bloom through out the canyon, as the light of the sun ignited their colors more vividly, I was awe struck, unable to move as the land mesmerized every part of my being.

 

Castle Point Carriage Road View

Further up ahead, the wall of trees had totally vanished, as the valley opened up to me with all its glory, inviting me to sit, look and relax for a little bit. The mild morning sun caressed my skin, warming my cheeks a little but the cool breeze took the warmth away which left my skin a little bit paler than it used to be. A feeling of wonder and amazement flowed through out my body as I gazed upon the beautiful valley that was in front of me.

 

Castle Point Carriage Road Middle Tree

The tree stood there in the middle, underneath the fiery rays of the sun. It looked lonely and sad as if it was waiting for a long lost lover, praying to the sky for his return, but he will never come back. They say that the strong ones are always alone because they can go to places normal people can’t but at the same time, I think they also need to know that they are important to someone, and that someone cares deeply about them as well.

 

Castle Point Carriage Road Middle Views

I sat next to the tree, the stone was warm to the touch, evidence that the blazing rays of the sun was hotter than ever on this pleasant October day. I looked at the viewpoint and was in awe at how beautiful the valley had become. Perhaps the tree was not lonely at all, perhaps it just fell in love with nature the way I did. It could not take its gaze away from the beautiful Autumn leaves in front of it, the way I was mesmerized by their beauty as well.

 

Castle Point

Castle point was a series of cliff side rocks, stable and strong, massive and dangerous, and gave me a 270 degree view of the valley. From here I could see Hamilton point from a distance, with ant like people that seemed to be jumping up and down while taking selfies.

 

I could feel their joy, enthusiasm, and smiles radiate even from this distance. Feelings I am quite familiar with whenever I am hiking. There is this indescribable exhilaration that comes from a beautiful view point, while capturing it in a camera. An indefinable yet familiar feeling that I seem to share with a lot of people.

 

Castle Point – Right Side

I climbed down from one big rock to another, one ledge to the next, with my hands and fingers getting a little scraped in the process, and after one tiny leap, I found myself at a rectangular rock extending outwards. The wind blew fiercely, pushing my hair back and flapping my shirt.

 

I buttoned my shirt quickly and lifted my head up, as I watched the trees wave back and forth in unison. I took it as a sign that nature was saying “hello”. I placed my right hand on my lips, and blew a kiss, sent it flying with the fierce wind, with the words “I love you” whispered into it.

 

Ledge Along The Trail

The ledge was a few minutes from Castle Point, and somewhat small in length. But in here, the prideful and tall pine trees that refused to change, the blushing red oak trees, and other small trees that joined the fray, fight among themselves on who looks the most elegant and beautiful. A cold chill swept across the land, forcing me to wear my jacket again, with it carried the scent of Autumn, a glorious parade of rich and vivid trees, and the last dance of the vibrant foliage, the grand finale of the season before winter sets in.

 

Litchfield Ledge Trail

*This is the start of the trail, it is somewhat hard to see and people can easily miss it. I often check my GPS constantly if I had one.

 

Litchfield Ledge Trail View

The trail was narrow and devoid of human life as I seem to be the only one going to this trail. I saw a clearing at the end of the multitude of blueberry shrubs, branches, and twigs. I raised my left hand and pushed off all the obstacles in my path. A sharp pain emerged from my hand as the thorns hidden along the branches grazed my skin but in a single second, I made it to the clearing. In front of me appeared to be Castle Point, with a carriage road underneath it. I took a few minutes of rest and just marvel at the rock formations, and the Fall foliage that will soon be over.

 

Litchfield Ledge

The narrow path had opened suddenly onto the edge of a great big cliff. Perched upon the edge of a high mountain top, overlooking a valley filled with trees of various shades of yellow, green, orange, gold and red, I took my time to enjoy the scenery that I knew will fade away in time. I stared upon a blue lake in the middle, bluer than the blue sky, engulfed by the multitude of rainbow trees, as if the lake and trees were competing with each other for who had the best color.

 

I walked over to the other ledge, reminiscent of the outlook in Sam’s point. It was a cliff edge built upon sedimentary rocks, reminded me of the Filipino recipe “Sapin Sapin”, layer upon layer of deliciousness. The edge was even and firm, somewhat cool to the touch, pointing out to me that the sun was already slowly sinking. I took a deep breath, relishing the fresh cool air, and enjoying the silence and solitude that I finally found myself in.

 

There was peace that came with solitude, an addicting silence devoid of conflict, an absence of noise, and a lack of distraction. Where I could free my mind, listen to my thoughts, and remember myself, just a man who fell in love with the land and a man who wants to fall in love with the human race.

 

Refreshing and cool, crisp and wild, the Fall winds whistled like an invisible ghost while moving all around the valley. I sat in front of the bright sun, with its rays now gentle and mild as they kissed my skin affectionately. The beautiful vibrant forest shot through my eyes, entering my body and going down all the way to my heart, creating a feeling of warmth and comfort that filled my whole form and being. In that moment, I felt beauty and power within myself, unapologetic for who I am, comfortable in my own imperfections, and proud to be the person that I grew up to be.

 

Hamilton Point

It was a flat place filled with ledges, cliff side views, and deep cracks that people could fall into. It was as if a flat surface was hit by an earthquake or a gigantic hammer which resulted in various fissures, cracks and also rubble that fell to the bottom.

 

I looked towards the setting sun that illuminated the trees below me, most of them were as green as the trees in the Spring. Stubborn trees that refused to change, but they all looked so solemn and dignified underneath the yellow glow of the afternoon sun.

 

Pure and clean, the chilly afternoon breeze came blasting in from the never ending silver horizon, bringing with it a pleasant scent of cold earthy aroma, making me zip my jacket, crossing my arms and hugging myself a little. The fiery golden orb showered my body with its mild rays, warming me up a little and creating a shimmer on the endless green forest below me. I dangled my legs on the edge of a cliff, enjoying the freedom that I have; freedom to choose my life, choose what I do with it, freedom to create my own emotions, and freedom to explore the ever changing landscapes of this world.

 

Hamilton Point Carriage Road Views

The somber afternoon sun fired its yellow rays all over the valley. The once dazzling and vivid forest of trees were slowly fading into the darkness. I sat on top of a rock soaking in every drop of artistry left before it all fades into oblivion. The sound of frantic footsteps from people passing me by could be heard, hurrying back to the parking lot before total darkness sets in.

 

There were no streets lights people could rely on to illuminate the path after all. I felt the chill of the cold wind burying itself deep into my chest, devoid of the warmth it used to have, but still I stayed and refused to move.

“Just a few seconds more,” I told myself, “just a few seconds more then I will go.”

 

The valley of beautiful trees glowed underneath the soft yellowish light of the afternoon sun. The land was charming and alluring, mesmerizing my eyes as it spoke deep into my soul. Serene and elegant, graceful yet vibrant, the landscape captured my heart with its beauty as if time stopped for a few seconds or I had transcended time and space, unable to move nor speak, as all I could do was admire the beautiful valley in front of me. Such feelings sent a warm feeling into my chest, tingling my throat, and sending shivers all over my body as feelings of gratefulness and appreciation surfaced in my thoughts and mind. Just a feeling of being lucky to be at this place in this perfect time.

 

Lake Minnewaska Dusk

As the light of the sun slowly fade into the darkness, and the cold water of the lake touched the corners of my boot, I wondered if it was possible to turn back the hands of time. I looked at the reflection of the land in the lake, and all I could think about was whether I could redo the hike all over again. There was magic in the twilight, as if anything was possible, and the way the lake mirrored the land, it was as if the lake would grant me any wish that I wanted if I threw a quarter straight in the middle of it.

However, all things come and go, all things have a beginning and an end, so that we can all learn to be more grateful and appreciative of all the little things that come our way, such is the harsh and fascinating reality of life, so I said goodbye to the beautiful lake, hurried over to the parking lot, and went on my way back to my home.

 

 

 

For More Hikes

For more hikes similar to this one, you can go to my Best NYC Hikes Or Best New Jersey Hikes.