The North/South Lake 'Grand Loop' Trail

I neglected to start the GPS until about 15 minutes into the hike, but it really is a loop: it both begins and ends at the Scutt Road parking lot.

"Grand Loop" is merely the name I gave it myself--it's not official by any means. I'd have to say this is my favorite route in the area. It encompasses so many different terrains and, except for one brief-yet-strenuous stretch just south of the Mountain House site, it's relatively smooth going.

For reasons which will be revealed you're much better off doing this trek in a clockwise direction. To start this route, walk back to N. Lake Road from the parking lot. The yellow-blazed trail starts just to the left of the end of Scutt Road (over the stone wall.) The first part of the trail is usually spongy and mucky and I see they've installed some walking planks since I last did this hike. Once past this wet area you enter what is your basic fairy tale forest. Moss covered boulders... moss covered trees... ferns... you get the picture. Gnomes and fleeing princesses would be right at home.

The first sign post you encounter is at the near end of a long, horizontal waterfall and directs you to either North Point or North Lake Campsite. True, North Point has a great view, but the trail up there is extremely steep, extremely eroded, poorly marked and once you get there it's like, "eh." If you're continuing on the Long Path that's how you go, but for me, it's not worth the schlep. (Besides, there are a few spectacular views coming your way on the Grand Loop.) So go t'other way and go under and across the falls and back up and around to return to the yellow-blazed trail. Be aware: it's VERY slippery when there's a lot of water coming over the rocks.

From the falls the trail ascends to the right and goes around the base of the promontory on which North point sits. You'll see the signpost at the junction, as well as a marker for Badman's Cave. From here on out the trail is blazed blue.

At this point you'll circumvent a marsh and from here straight through to the Mountain House site the trail more or less skirts the edge of the mountain. It also is the start of a curious natural phenomenon: except for one stretch just past the Mountain House site, the trail basically descends. And descends and descends. And never really seems to go back up. Of course it must--you end where you started--but you're never really aware of a gain in altitude from here on in. It's also why I strongly recommend against taking this route counter-clockwise--it'd be non-stop climbing, some of it very steep.

About .5 miles past Badman's Cave is Newman's Ledge, with a view that puts North Point to shame. Frederick Church never painted this picture, but it was made for him. Set your camera to "pano" for this one.

A little further on is an in-and-back-out detour to Sunset Rock. Take it. It's a flat walk and the view over the lakes is great. It's also unique in that it's a west-facing view on the east-facing leg of the trail.

Back out to the blue-blazed trail and through a glen strewn with boulders the size of 3-story buildings. Very "Land of the Lost."

Once you pass Artist's Rock (another great vista) you'll start to notice the occasional barbecue grill. That's because you're approaching the North Lake picnic area (and bathroom!)

Continue past the lake, on to the Mountain House site (be sure to study the 19th-century graffiti carved into the ledge) and back up and into the woods. This is the only true climb of the hike. It continues up for about .2 miles until you encounter the graffiti carving by Philadelphians Dreef & Greeble, who made repeated visits in the 1850s.

From here on out the trail is almost completely downhill.

You'll come to Boulder Rock turnoff. It's a mere 10-minute detour and interesting. There's a Geocache a-restin' up on top of the boulder. If you'd rather skip it, take the red blaze, it will meet back up with the blue in a minute or two.

In about a mile you'll have the option of turning left to stay on the blue trail or cutting a mile off your trip by taking the yellow trail. The blue option will take you past a memorial to Frank Layman, who died fighting a forest blaze in 1901. Personally, I find the Layman segment of the blue trail to be a lot of work for little payoff (other than exercise.) There's one great view of Kaaterskill Clove, but I generally skip this section.

When you come to a gravel road, continue directly across it to the footbridge. Just past this bridge the trail splits. The upper trail goes to a ruined stone cottage that was an outbuilding of some sort. It's worth a looksee. The lower branch continues on to Scutt Road. Once you cross the second footbridge the trail to the parking lot is on your right. If you're ready for the hike to be over, you can head straight through the woods onto Scutt Road, which is visible at this point. The official trail is rooty and muddy and adds an unnecessary several 10ths of a mile onto the hike. And let's face it--you're probably ready to be done at this point anyway, right?

So, back onto Scutt Rd. and up to the parking lot. I suppose this is where a lot of that altitude is regained, but at least it's a walkable surface. And then there's the parking lot!

If you're hungry at this point (if??) head into Tannersville and grab a bite at Maggie's. Tell 'er Tom sent you.