Signs of the Fire & the Overlook
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Minnewaska photo slideshow
When I reached the park entrance I gave in to an impulse and headed left instead of right on routes 44/55, to take a look at the damage from late April's wildfire that burned 3500 acres of the park.
Just after the alternate entrance to the lower Awosting parking area, it became very clear that I was driving past the area of the fire... even at dusk it was clear that the woods along the road has burned. At the same time, all the fresh greenery I saw was a testament to how quickly nature bounces back, especially in areas like this where fires were once probably a yearly occurence.
Further down the road I reached the real treat of my side trip - the road went along the side of the mountain with a gorgeous view of the valleys and mountains off in the distance. The view was incredible... I definitely have to go back in daylight. I stopped at the two overlook pull-offs and took photos before heading back up the road over the ridge.
I made one more stop before leaving the mountains, the overlook just past the steel Trapps bridge carrying the trail over the road. It had gotten dark enough that my photos don't show much, but the view down into the valley was still pretty darn cool, with the lights of New Paltz off in the distance and mist rising throughout the valley.
(click on the above photo to see more detail)
After that... all that was left to was to say goodbye to the Gunks and head off on the long drive back to Albany. But I will definitely be back!
JMH
