More Information
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.94744 W74.70479
Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at exit 96W and turn left on DeBruce Road. Exit State Route 17 at exit 96E and turn right at the end of the exit. Turn left at the end of the road and then take the next left onto DeBruce Rd. 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 and look for a small parking area on the right which has room enough for only two or three cars. If these spots are taken, you may park in the Frick Pond parking and walk down the road to begin the hike. To do this, turn around and drive back to the intersection, turn right on Beech Mountain Road and drive .3 miles to the parking areas on the left. Park in the large lot and walk back down the road to the intersection. The hike begins on an unmarked dirt road that starts just south of the small parking area near the intersection.
Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because it is almost 8 miles and has several long but not too steep ascents There may be muddy areas along the way especially at on the return trip along the base of the ridge.
Trail Surface: The trail surface has a few large stones but consists mostly of small stones and dirt. The trail is often wet and muddy.
Hike Description: This hike begins on what was once a town road called Hunter Road, one of many in the area. The hike uses mostly snowmobile trails but does include part of the Mongaup Willowemoc Trail. Start the hike by walking down down the woods road between the small parking area on Mongaup Road and the intersection. Walk down to the stream and cross on the “bridge”. Continue walking straight ahead on the old road. At .4 miles you will pass by a snowmobile trail that you will use on the return trip. There is a short descent followed by a climb on a rocky woods road toward Terwillger Road. At 1 mile turn left on the snowmobile trail where it turns into the woods. The trail drops a little as it heads northeast and then at 1.4 miles it begins to climb again. At 2.35 miles the trail heads southeast to reach the highest point on the trail at 2.7 miles. From here the trail begins to descend and at 2.9 miles the trail again turns northeast and continues dropping in elevation. At 3.8 miles you will reach the Mongaup Willowemoc Trail. Turn left and start heading northwest as you start climbing again over some rocky terrain until the top of a hill at 4.5 miles. Start to descend the other side. and continue the descent until at 5.2 miles where the Mongaup Willowemoc Trail ends at a snowmobile trail. Turn left on the snowmobile trail and head southwest. This trail can be very wet in places as it is lower than the land to the east and water drains from the higher land. Continue to walk southwest passing over two small hills. At 7.35 miles arrive at the junction with the snowmobile trail from the start of the hike. Turn right and start to walk downhill and northwest back toward the car. As you approach the small bridge over the stream turn off to the left and walk to Mongaup Falls. You will be guided by the sound of the falls. The falls has two levels and is well worth the trip. Walk back to the main trail and turn left, cross the bridge and walk back up the woods road to the main road and your car.