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Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.95695 W74.69111
Warning: This hike is a through hike that requires a “car shuttle”. An “out and back” hike would be 13 miles! Be sure to allow plenty of time for driving.
Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at exit 96W and turn right. At the next intersection turn right on to Old Route 17. Exit State Route 17 at exit 96E and turn right at the end of the exit. Turn right at the end of the road onto Old Route 17. Drive 1.2 miles and turn right on Beaverkill Road. Drive a little more than 18 miles on the Beaverkill Road passing through the hamlets of Lew Beach and Turnwood. Just before Turnwood be sure to follow the road as it bears right. The road turns to dirt and the last few miles are difficult to travel. Watch for a small parking area on the right side of the road. If you reach the parking lot for Balsam Lake Mountain at the end of the road, you have gone too far. Leave a car and drive back the way you came. Turn left on Old Route 17 at the end of Beaverkill Road and and drive 1.5 miles to DeBruce Road on the left. Turn left and pass under State Route 17. From the “caboose” drive 5.6 miles on DeBruce Road to Mongaup Road. Turn left and drive 2.7 miles to where the road splits. Stay right on Mongaup Pond Road and drive 1 mile to the entrance to Mongaup Pond State Campgrounds. There may be parking just outside the entrance to the campgrounds. If not, you will have to pay the “day use” fee and park in the parking area by the bathrooms.
Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because it is almost 8 miles and has several significant ascents. The total ascent is over 2000 feet.
Trail Surface: The trail surface is generally dirt, grass and leaves. There are some rocky areas along the way and many areas with tree roots to negotiate. There are several muddy and wet areas. Some areas may have significant briars overgrowing the trail.
Hike Description: The Mongaup Hardenburgh Trail begins at the northern end of the larger section of Mongaup Pond. To get there you must walk the loop road. Start just outside the entrance to the campsites. Walk through the entrance and stay on the loop road on the western side of the pond. Stay on the main loop road watching for the blue blazes of the Mongaup Hardenburgh Trail on the left. At about .85 miles follow the blue blazes as they leave the road to the right and start along the western shore of the upper lob of Mongaup Pond. At the northern end of the pond at 1.4 miles the Mongaup Hardenburgh Trail turns left while a snowmobile trail continues straight ahead. Turn left and get ready for some climbing. Over the next 1.4 miles the trail gains 820 feet heading north to the summit of a Mongaup Mountain. At the summit the trail turns right or east and continues to follow the ridge. Over the next 1.7 miles the trail descends and the ascends several times until it reaches a junction with the Long Pond Beaverkill Ridge Trail at 4.4 miles. As you hike be sure to watch for the markers which may be hard to find in some spots. Continue passed the trail junction still heading east and northeast. The trail continues to roll over several hills until at 5.9 miles it reaches the highest point on the hike and the trail turns north. The trail now begins a constant descent to the parking area on the Beaverkill Road. In 1.8 miles the trail drops almost 1100 feet! Just before the parking area a bridge crosses the Beaverkill. The bridge is a suspension bridge which has a very interesting construction. Once you arrive at your car you can relax on your drive back to Mongaup Pond.