Catskill Mountaineer

Ashokan Quarry Trail
Ashokan Quarry Trail
View of the Slide Mountain Wilderness and from the top of the Ashokan Reservoir Quarry
 
 

OVERVIEW

  Name: Ashokan Quarry Trail
  Forest: Near Bluestone Wild Forest
  Parking Area : West Side on Rt 28a - 30 spaces (DEP) - Off Rt 28
  Parking Area : East Side off Rt 28a - 20 spaces (DEP) - Directly off Rt 28a
   
  Length : 1.93 miles (round-trip)
  Access : Foot
  Views : Several
  Hours : Dawn to Dusk
  Emergency : Call 911
   
  USGS Map: USGS West Kingston Quad Maps
   
  USGS Map: USGS Ashokan Quad Maps
   
  USGS Map: USGS West Shokan Quad Maps
   
  Digital Mapper: Topo     Terrain     Satellite

Maps of Ashokan Quarry Trail

Map of the Ashokan Quarry Trail near the Bluestone Wild Forest

Map of the Ashokan Quarry Trail near the Bluestone Wild Forest

 

Notes about the Ashokan Quarry Trail

 TRAIL
  This hike is an easy hike that is slightly less then 2 miles. You will visit the old Yale Quarry on Acorn Hill on the southwestern side of the Ashokan Reservoir. Additionally, the hike will take you down to the Yale Quarry Loading Docks, which are quite impressive. These are massive 10' high walls that run about 100' long. The hike will will also take you to the top of the Yale Quarry where there are a number of nice views of the mountains and quarry.


 HISTORY
  Between 1907 and 1915 the Ashokan Reservoir was constructed. The primary source of water was from the Esopus Creek. It took approximately 2 years for the reservoir to fill up. At the time, it was the largest reservoir in the world. All of the forest had to be removed, along with homes and building. Even 2,800 graves had to be removed.

The reservoir is approximately 13 miles long and over 180 feet deep. It holds 122.9 billion gallons of water. Today it supplies 40% of NYC's water.


 OTHER INFORMATION
  There is cell phone service on the Ashokan Quarry Trail.



 

DIRECTIONS to the ASHOKAN QUARRY TRAIL from Exit 19 (Kingston)

 
  • Ashokan Quarry Trail (DEP) - WGS84 (DEC): 41.9339, -74.222117 - Elevation is about 647'
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  • Ashokan Quarry Trail (DEP) - Deg/Min/Sec: N41 56 02, W74 13 19- Elevation is about 647'
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  • Ashokan Quarry Trail (DEP) - GPS: N 41 56.034, W 74 13.327 - Elevation is about 647'
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  • Ashokan Quarry Trail (DEP) - UTM: 18N 564489 4642730 - Elevation is about 647'

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  • Get off New York State Thruway at Exit 19 (Kingston).
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  • Take a RIGHT out of the NYS Thruway onto Route 28 West.
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  • Go approximately 12.1 miles on Rt 28 West
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  • Take a LEFT onto Reservoir Road
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  • Go approximately 2.2 miles on Reservoir Road
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  • Continue STRAIGHT (Road turns into Rt 28a (West))
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  • Go approximately 2.2 miles on Rt 28a (west - Go past Rt 213)
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  • Take a LEFT into DEP Ashokan Quarry Trail Access Road
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  • Note: Room for 10 vehicles
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  • Note: Do NOT park on side of Rt 28a

    • Ashokan Quarry Trail

      Ashokan Quarry Trail
    The Ashokan Quarry Trail Parking Area
    This is the Ashokan Quarry Trail Parking Area and Trailhead. It is about 1/4 mile from the Olivebridge Dam Parking Area. It holds about 10 cars. The access road and parking area is dirt.

    Trailhead for the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    This is the Trailhead for the Ashokan Quarry Trail. It is located in the Ashokan Quarry Trail Parking Area.
    Registration Box for the hike on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    This is the registration box for the Ashokan Quarry Trail.
    Ashokan Quarry Trail kiosk
    This is the Kiosk for the Ashokan Quarry Trail. Check it for any important information about your hike.
    the beginning of the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    The beginning of the hike goes up a mild uphill climb on a double-track trail.
    stone structure on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    After about 3/10 of a mile you will be approaching the trail junction for the loop of the Ashokan Quarry Trail. In the picture you can see an old stone structure.
    trail junction for the loop on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    At 3/10 of a mile, you will come to a trail junction. You want to continue STRAIGHT. You will come out on this trail on the left once you have completed the loop. Most people like to hike the loop in a counter-clock wise direction.
    approaching the ashokan quarry
    As you start to approach the Yale Quarry, you will start to see quarry scrap piles.
    Yale Quarry off the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    This is the Ashokan Quarry that was used to build the dikes and dams for the Ashokan Reservoir between 1907 and 1915. There was a railroad constructed to haul the bluestone to the reservoir. There are still some railroad beds in the area. We will explore that region after your visit here.
      Ashokan Quarry Trail - Quarry Loading Docks
    past the Yale Quarry on the Ashokan Quarry Trail side trail to the Ashokan Quarry Loading Docks and tracks
    After you leave the Yale Quarry, the trail will continue past some towering bluestone ledges.
    After a little less then 7/10 of a mile you will come to a side trip to the Quarry Loading Docks (750'). To visit them, take a RIGHT and follow the single track trail to the quarry loading docks.
    the Ashokan Quarry Loading docks Trail has Yellow trail markers.
    The trail to the Ashokan Quarry Loading Docks is designated with YELLOW Trail Markers.
    Ashokan Quarry Loading Docks off the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    After about 750 feet, you will come to the Ashokan Quarry Loading Docks. They are about 10-12 feet high and wide. Beyond the Loading Docks, is the old railroad bed that comes out to Rt 28a. The official trail ends at this point.

    When you get done, reverse your way back to the Ashokan Quarry Trail.
    the Ashokan Quarry railroad bed beyond the Loading Docks
    This is the old Railroad bed that took the quarry rock down to the dikes and dam for building material.
    the Ashokan Quarry Trail goes to the top of quarry
    As you continue on the Ashokan Quarry Trail, the trail will take a 90 degree turn to the LEFT.
    the Ashokan Quarry Trail goes up to the top of the quarry
    The Ashokan Quarry Trail will then will go up some small switch backs to the top of the Yale Quarry. From this point forward, the trail will be single track trails until you reach the trail junction.
    Blue trail markers on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    The Ashokan Quarry Trail has Blue Trail Markers, with the exception of the Ashokan Quarry Loading Docks that have Yellow Trail Markers. It is important to follow the Blue Trail Markers on the top of the Quarry because it is easy to walk off the trail.
    Top of the Yale Quarry on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    The Ashokan Quarry Trail wanders aimlessly along the top of the Yale Quarry. There are a number of nice view spots. Many consider this section of the trail the best part of the hike.
    top of the Yale Quarry overlooking quarry below the ledges
    If you have children you want to keep them from the edge of the quarry. In a little while, you will get some mountain views.
    ledge with mountain views from the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    This section of the Ashokan Quarry Trail has some nice views of the mountains.
    views of the Slide Mountain Wilderness from the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    This view provides nice views of some of the mountain in the Slide Mountain Wilderness.
    view of Ashokan High Point on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    In another spot you will get a beautiful view of Ashokan High Point, along with Little Ashokan High Point.

    NOTE: After this view spot, the trail will suddenly take a 90 degree turn to the RIGHT. Virtually everyone misses the turn. So, pay attention to the trail markers. If you come to the end of the ledge, then you have gone too far, so turn around and go back and find the path.
    trail junction off the top of the Yale Quarry on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    The trail will then start to descend off the top of the quarry. You will then come to the trail junction you saw in the beginning of the hike before you reached the Yale Quarry. You want to go RIGHT. You have now completed the loop.
    return back to your car on the Ashokan Quarry Trail
    You are about 3/10 of a mile away the Ashokan Quarry Trail Parking Area where your car is parked. Hope you enjoyed this short little hike.
     
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    Links and References:

    USGS Topo Map of the West Kingson Quad
     
    USGS Topo Map of the Ashokan Quad
     
    USGS Topo Map of the West Shokan Quad



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