Out and back from Parking Area – 2.1 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.8756 W75.1800

Getting There: Drive to the Sullivan County hamlet of Long Eddy located north of Callicoon, NY on Route 97. From Long Eddy drive north on Route 97 for 9.6 miles to Lordville Road on the left. Turn left on Lordville Road and drive down the road toward the Delaware River. Just before crossing the river turn left onto Bouchouxville Road and drive for 2.7 miles to the parking area. CAUTION: The Bouchouxville Road is very scenic but is NOT in good shape. It may be best to make sure you have a vehicle will all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE even though it is just over two miles because there is significant elevation gain as you climb to the Ledges. For a large part of the hike the trail is sited on old woods roads so it is wide and easy to walk.

Trail Surface: The surface of the trail is generally smooth varying from grass to dirt. There are a few roots and rocks especially near the top.

Hike Description: From the parking area get on the woods road that heads east and up the ridge. As you climb, keep looking to your right for some views down to the river. After walking only .9 miles, you will cross a small stream that cascades down the ledges and empties into the river. If there is enough water volume, it is worth working your way down the side of the falls to get some pictures. Back on the main trail, cross the brook and walk a few hundred feet before turning right and walking out to the first viewpoint. At this viewpoint, you will have beautiful views down to the river and beyond. This area has a HUGE rock cairn that sits atop a “pile” of laid up stone! There may also be some stone “furniture” just behind the viewpoint is the remains of a stone quarry. Walk a little further east and there is another viewpoint. Retrace your steps back down to the car. CAUTION: Jensen Ledges is known to have active timber rattlesnake dens. Be on the lookout for these reclusive creatures as you hike. Do NOT reach into any rock crevices. Be aware that these snakes often lie in the sun to increase their body temperature.

 

 

 

1,409-acre Lake Superior State Park features Lake Superior and Chestnut Ridge Pond. The park is part of the Palisades Interstate Park Commission and is operated by Sullivan County through a long-term license agreement. There is a beach with a swimming area as well as areas for picnics. Fishing is allowed for those with a fishing license from the DEC, and boat rentals are available.

The County operates two areas of the park:

Lake Superior’s beach area (fee) features a swimming area, sand beach, picnic areas with grills, group picnic pavilion (fee) rowboat and paddle boat rentals, boat launch (electric motors only), vending machines, restrooms, shower/changing area, fishing (DEC fishing license required), volleyball court and playground (ages 5-12).

There are no marked hiking trails within this State Park but hiking is permitted.

Lake Superior’s dam picnic area features picnic tables and grills, a group picnic pavilion (fee), portable toilet facilities and fishing access to Lake Superior.

The beach area operates for swimming on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day weekend through June. Daily beach operation commences the last week of June through Labor Day. The park is open year round. Big game hunting (DEC hunting permit required), ice fishing, hiking and sleigh riding are permitted at the park.

There is a per person fee at the beach area from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day as follows:

• Day Pass : $5.00 per person
• County Resident Season Pass : $15.00 (Available at the Government Center, DPW Office)
• Children Under 3 Years Old : Free

Phone: (845) 807-0287 (Sept.-May)
Phone: (845) 583-7908 (June-August)

DIRECTIONS: Located off Dr. Duggan Road, Bethel, New York. Off Route 55 or Route 17B, 10 miles west of Route 17 Exit 104.

Loop and Cabot Mountain – 4.6 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0376 W74.7436

Getting There: From the east exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 10.8 miles to Barkaboom Road on the left. Turn left on Barkaboon Road and drive to the access road to Little Pond State Campgrounds on the left. Turn left and drive up the access road to the gatehouse and pay the day use fee. Drive to the parking area near the bathhouses and park there. NOTE: The access road to the campgrounds is closed when the campgrounds is closed. You may park at the bottom of the hill at the start of the access road but this will add almost 2 miles and several nudged feet of elevation gain to your hike.

Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because it is almost 5 miles long and has several ascents including a steep one up Cabot Mountain. It also has several steep descents which are challenging. There may be wet or muddy areas on the trail.

Trail Surface: The trail surface starts out as flat, smooth gravel until the turn onto the Little Pond Trail. This trail consists of stones and dirt with a few grassy areas and quite a few tree roots. The trail on Cabot Mountain has plenty of loose dirt and stone making both the ascent and descent challenging. The descent on the Campground Trail is dirt and rocks and is steep in places. The trail can be wet and muddy in some areas.

Hike Description: Start the hike by walking from the parking area walk passed the bathrooms at the campsite. Walk on the loop trail on the east side of the lake to the head or inlet end of the lake. The walk is only .5 miles. Turn right on the yellow Little Pond Trail and walk 1.3 miles to an area where the trail opens out into a field with a nice view (vista) of the valley below and the surrounding hills. There is a small pond on the left and the foundation of an old farmhouse on the right. Continue to the junction with the red Touch-Me-Not Trail at 1.7 miles. At the junction with the red Touch-Me-Not Trail turn left and follow the red blazes to the base of Cabot Mountain. The climb up Cabot is very steep in places and there can be loose rock and dirt which makes the ascent more difficult. From the start of the climb to the end is only .3 miles but the elevation gain is 450 feet which means the ascent averages about 27%. Follow the red markers up through the rocks and across a more level space to the last short ascent. Walk the level area to the Beaverkill Vista. This rock outcrop gives a nice view of Little Pond below. After taking in the view retrace your steps back down the mountain to the trail junction. CAUTION: The return trip down the mountain can be more challenging than the climb! From the junction with the Little Pond Trail continue straight ahead to follow the Touch-Me-Not Trail for .5 miles to the junction with the blue Campground Trail at 3.5 miles. In this short distance the Touch-Me-Not Trail climbs 280 feet and you will find several interesting passages over and between large rocks. At the trail junction bear right on the blue Campground Trail to return to the parking area. The trail gains a little elevation and then starts to descend. In about .8 miles the trail loses 780 feet averaging an 18% grade. Several areas are much steeper and care should be taken especially if the trail is wet or covered in ice or snow. The trail exits the forest just behind the bathhouses and the parking lot where you left your car. NOTE: This route works equally well in reverse!

 
Around the Pond – .9 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0376 W74.7436

Getting There: From the east exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 10.8 miles to Barkaboom Road on the left. Turn left on Barkaboon Road and drive to the access road to Little Pond State Campgrounds on the left. Turn left and drive up the access road to the gatehouse and pay the day use fee. Drive to the parking area near the bathhouses and park there. NOTE: The access road to the campgrounds is closed when the campgrounds is closed. You may park at the bottom of the hill at the start of the access road but this will add almost 2 miles and several nudged feet of elevation gain to your hike.

Difficulty: This hike is rated EASY because it is relatively short and almost flat.

Trail Surface: The trail surface consists of pavement in some places and flat, smooth gravel in others.

Hike Description: To start the hike walk toward the bathhouses to pick up the trail that runs along the eastern shore of the pond. This path is paved in places and covered with crushed stone the rest of the way. Continue to follow this path visiting the beach or lookout platform if you want. As you near the upper outlet end of the pond, you will cross several bridges over some streams. You will also find the yellow blazed Little Pond Trail which turns to the right. Stay to the left and continue around the pond until the path turns slightly to the left and crosses the outlet dam. There is a nice view of the pond and Cabot Mountain from the walkway over the dam. Continue a little farther until you are back at your car.

 
Loop – 3.3 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0376 W74.7436

Getting There: From the east exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 10.8 miles to Barkaboom Road on the left. Turn left on Barkaboon Road and drive to the access road to Little Pond State Campgrounds on the left. Turn left and drive up the access road to the gatehouse and pay the day use fee. Drive to the parking area near the bathhouses and park there. NOTE: The access road to the campgrounds is closed when the campgrounds is closed. You may park at the bottom of the hill at the start of the access road but this will add almost 2 miles and several nudged feet of elevation gain to your hike.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE because it is more than 3 miles long and has a continuous climb from the pond to the vista in a field. There is also a steep descent on the return trail.

Trail Surface: The trail surface starts out as flat, smooth gravel until the turn onto the Little Pond Trail. This trail consists of stones and dirt with a few grassy areas and quite a few tree roots. The descent on the Campground Trail is dirt and rocks and is steep in places. The trail can be wet and muddy in some areas.

Hike Description: To start the hike walk from the parking area walk passed the bathrooms at the campsite. Walk on the loop trail on the east side of the lake to the head or inlet end of the lake. The walk is only .5 miles. Turn right on the yellow Little Pond Trail and walk 1.3 miles to an area where the trail opens out into a field with a nice view (vista) of the valley below and the surrounding hills. There is a small pond on the left and the foundation of an old farmhouse on the right. Continue to the junction with the red Touch-Me-Not Trail at 1.7 miles. At the junction with the red Touch-Me-Not Trail turn right and follow the red blazes to for .5 miles to the junction with the blue Campground Trail at 2.15 miles. In this short distance the Touch-Me-Not Trail climbs 280 feet and you will find several interesting passages over and between large rocks. At the trail junction bear right on the blue Campground Trail to return to the parking area. The trail gains a little elevation and then starts to descend. In about .8 miles the trail loses 780 feet averaging an 18% grade. Several areas are much steeper and care should be taken especially if the trail is wet or covered in ice or snow. The trail exits the forest just behind the bathhouses and the parking lot where you left your car. NOTE: This route works equally well in reverse!