Difficulty Rating:
5 out of 5
The "triple rhubarb." Mohonk, Clove Valley-Minnewaska, and Craigsmoor out of Ellenville, with the heinie kicker Oregon Trail, as Zorba would say: the whole castastrophe. But a meal fit for a king. We wouldn't have it any other way.
92 mile (or abreviated 81 miler) NYCC Labor Day A ride classic. MetroNorth rail pass needed as ride starts and ends in Beacon. Features long climbs and descents with spectacular views of the Shwangunk and Catskill mountains. 5000’– 6000’+/- vertical depending on route. Shorter, 81 mile option splits from the main route after 20 miles, ascending Rt 44/55 up the hairpin, then rejoins in Kerhonksen. The longer (93 miles) route climbs Mohonk, then Clove Valley Road to rejoin shorter route on Rt 44/55. Lunch in Kerhonkson. The ride climbs Rt 52 out of Ellenville /w optional Cragsmoor climb (S. Gully Rd, on second cue sheet (left on Rt 52 from Berme, Ellenville in 0.7 miles onto Mt Meenahga Rd) to Cragsmoor = difficulty 5.0). If the weather is clear, don't miss the view north to the high Catskills from the Old Stone Church at Cragsmoor!
Note: the Mohonk/ Rt 52 ascent from Ellenville is the original, classic route.
HS 6/8/15
