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The Shawangunk Mountains

Shawangunk Mountains

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Shawangunk Ridge (also known as the Shawangunk Mountains, or The Gunks; pronounced by some locals as "SHONG-gum," is a ridge of mountains in Ulster County, Sullivan County and Orange County in the state of New York, extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains. The ridgetop, which widens considerably at its northern end, has many public and private protected areas and is not heavily populated, boasting only one settlement of consequence (unincorporated Cragsmoor). While in the past it was chiefly noted for huckleberry picking, and the fires set to create favorable conditions for further growth, today it has become known for its outdoor recreation, most notably as one of the major rock climbing areas of North America

The name is a Dutch transliteration of the indigenous Munsee [Lenape] "Scha-WAN-gunk" . The Lenape linguist Raymond Whritenour reports that, "Schawan" is an inanimate intransitive verb meaning "it is smoky air" or "there is smoky air." Its noun-like participle is "schawank," meaning "that which is smoky air." Adding the locative suffix gives us "schawangunk" ("in that which is smoky air" or, more simply, "in the smoky air"). Whritenour suggests the name derives from the burning of a Munsee fort by the Dutch at the eastern base of the ridge in 1663 (a massacre ending the Second Esopus War), where it spread quickly across the basin on land deeds and patents after the war. Historian Marc B. Fried speculates that it was derived from atmospheric conditions (a foggy, smoky morning) during the sale of the first parcel in January, 1682, though he also notes that its swift spread along the basin on subsequent deeds suggests it was in use as a proper name before the first purchase. By the early 18th century, Shawangunk became associated with the ridge. European colonists began to truncate Shawangunk into "SHONG-gum," a pronunciation still favored by some locals and frequently misrepresented as the original indigenous name.

It is actually the northern end of a long ridge within the Appalachian Mountains that begins in Virginia, where it is called North Mountain, continues through Pennsylvania as Blue Mountain, becomes known as the Kittatinny Mountains after it crosses the Delaware Water Gap into New Jersey and becomes the Shawangunks at the state line. These mountains mark the western and northern edge of the Great Appalachian Valley.

The Shawangunks contain Mohonk Preserve, Minnewaska State Park Preserve and Sam's Point Preserve with more than 100 miles of hiking trails and several climbing areas. The Long Path long-distance hiking trail follows the ridge from Sullivan County to the vicinity of Kerhonkson; south of it the Shawangunk Ridge Trail connects to the Appalachian Trail near High Point. There are also many waterfalls in the Shawangunk region, like VerKeerderkill falls and Awosting Falls. The Shawngunks is also known for having some of the best rock climbing in the Northeast. In 2004, a luxury development plan for buildings has threatened the ridge line, and as a result a grassroots "Save the Ridge" campaign has become extremely popular in the area. In 2006 a court ordered the sale of property by the private owner to settle a case brought on by the developer. The Open Space Institute of NY purchased the land and has signed it over to Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

The Trust for Public Land and Open Space Institute actually agreed to purchase the land for $17 million dollars. At closing, however, the contract was assigned and title was taken in the name of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Commission, a federally chartered commission, although the funds for the purchase apparently came from the New York state Environmental Protection Fund.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

THE CATSKILLS
A Geological Guide Third Edition By Robert Titus.
This is the revised and enlarged third edition of Dr. Titus' classic examination of the history hidden in the region's rocks and landscapes. It is the story of continental collisions, lost mountain ranges, and primitive fossil creatures in an ancient sea, and an exploration of the Catskill region as it was nearly 400 million years ago. 7x10 119 pages profusely illustrated with b&w drawings and photos Paper $15.00
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HUDSON VALLEY AND CATSKILL MTS
Explorer's Guide 5th Edition By Joanne Michaels.
A classy series with a little bit of everything - from restaurants, inns, B&Bs, wineries, historic battlefields, antique shops, to hiking trails - what to do and where to stay while you do it. This is a GREAT guide for the 12 county area. 6 x 9 431 pages b&w photos Index $19.95
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Catskill Summer Things By Pete Senterman. The VERY BEST - Hikes, Family Walks, Road Bike Tours, Mountain Bike Tours, Swimming Holes, Whitewater, Flatwater - virtually everything to do outdoors in the Catskills that is worth doing. Includes all the maps, descriptions, photos, and cautions, where necessary, to help you enjoy your Catskill experience. 5.5x8.5 103 pages Paper $12.50
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