Dickie Barre Area Minnewaska State Park Mohonk Preserve

Ulster Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Bullwheel Trail: White blaze
High Peters Kill Trail: Blue blaze
Lost City Area Trail: Yellow blaze


Total Time: 2:25 hour
Estimated Distance: 3.4 miles
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly recommended
Points Of Interest: Views and scrambles
Pros: Several great views, walk through unique cliff caves and talus
Cons: Parking fee

Hiking Partner:
Shimmy Rosenberg

Google Map of Parking:

View 2014 Hiking Locations in a larger map

I had not gone to the Gunks this entire season, and was glad to finally have the oppurtunity. This hike involved scrambling and good climbing, and was up to challenging myself on this type of hike for the first time since my surgery.

We parked in Minnewaska at the Park Office area, and took the Bullwheel Trail to the High Peters Kill Trail, where we went due east and then down the mountain. We then went down the mountain and along the foot, to the yellow spur trail to the talus slope. We took this trail up to the area known as the "Lost City". This area compromises a large section of hard Quartz conglomerate that broke off from the main cliff and formed an incredible network of rock cuts and caves. There is no trail going through the Lost City - its more of a self-exploration. I would have liked to see an official route going through here.

We explored the area, went deep into some caves, and then headed back down back towards the High Peters Kill Trail and then back on the same route back. When we got to the High Peters Kill Trail we veered off the trail on to the blue trail with a center. These markings were new since the past year, and my understanding is that they are specifically for rock climbers. In any event this was a scenic spur, skirting the side of a cliff and under a cave-like overhand where we met some rock climbers on rope. The trail spurs up on the top of the mountain as well where we were afforded with excellent views. We then went back down and back on the Bullwheel Trail back to the parking area and back to our car.

Please note my camera is out of commission; these pictures were taken with my cell phone.

Map of the Route.
Shawangunk Map, Mohonk/Minnewaska

Shimmy Walking Along Open Meadow on the Bullwheel Trail

Early Foliage on the Bullwheel Trail

View of the Cliffs near the Dickie Barre.
The Area Under the Cliffs Ahead are the Lost City Area

Me at the Above Viewpoint

Me Descending the High Peters Kill Trail

Plaque at the Entrance to the Lost City Area

Shimmy Walking Through a Large Split in the Rock

Deep Rock Split

Long Dark Crevice

Shimmy in the Long Dark Crevice

Slope with Talus

Cliff Face up Above

Shimmy on a Large Talus Rock

Shimmy Above a Large Rock with Overhang

Shimmy Navigating Through a Tight Squeeze

Shimmy Above a Fallen Rock with a Cave Underneath

Climber Trail near the Whale Rock Area

Rock Climbers Climbing Up an Overhang

Large Overhang in the Whale Rock Area

Looking up at the Overhang

Me on Top of the Whale Rock Area

View Facing South from the Whale Rock Area

The Top Part of the Rock Climber's Rope in the Picture Above