Indian Rock

Sam's Point Preserve
Shawangunk Mountains,
Ulster County,
New York

Trails:
Loop Road
High Point Carriageway
Indian Rock Trail: Yellow blaze

Total Time: 2:30 hr
Estimated Distance: 5 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Excellent Views and Interesting Rock formations

Google Maps of Parking:

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 Indian Rock is an interesting rock formation within the Sam's Point Preserve. The entire area of the northern Shawangunk mountains is full of interesting rock formations and crevices, with a very unique geology. The hike to Indian Rock is fairly easy, and for the most park goes on former old roads so the paths are easy. I parked at the Sam's Point Preserve Parking area (parking here costs $10), and took the western side of the Loop Road up towards Lake Martanza. This old road is no longer accessible to vehicles, and has many dilapidated berry-picker huts on the side of the road. At Lake Martanza there are many large communications towers, which give this hike an eerie feeling, especially on a cloudy day. Continued at the High Point Carriageway for about half a mile until the Indian Rock Trail. The entire first part of the Indian Rock Trail is along boardwalk planks as it traverses above a wetlands bog. The Indian Rock Trail is about half a mile, and once I got the Indian Rock climbed through it and scrambled around. The trail ends here at the rock, so I turned around and followed my steps back to the Loop Road, and then took the eastern part of the Loop Road along Lake Martanza. I veered off on a small bushwack along the shore of Lake Martanza at a sandy area, which I suspect was once a beach where swimming once took place. From there continued along to Sam's Point. Continued from there on the road back to the parking area.

Map of the Route

Boardwalk Planks Along the Marshy Part of the Indian Rock Trail

View on the Approach Towards Indian Rock

Indian Rock

Crevice Underneath Indian Rock

Inside the Crevice in Indian Rock

Continuing Inside the Crevice in Indian Rock

Another View of Indian Rock

Lake Martanza

Signpost Along the Loop Road by the Long Path

View from Sam's Point.
Looking east at some onlookers at the cliff wall.