One of the reasons why the Shawangunk Ridge is so scenic is the
combination of the white conglomerate rock cliffs with the
beautiful pitch pine trees. One look at these beautiful landscapes
and you will agree with The Nature Conservancy, who in 1994,
designated the Shawangunks as one of the 75 "Last Great Places" in
the world.
The pitch pine is the dominant tree in the Shawangunk pine
barrens. The hardy pitch pines have found a home in this harsh
environment of rocky crags, with shallow and acidic soil. They find
support and moisture by growing their roots in the rock crevices.
They grow very slowly and often look like a naturage bonsai because
of their unusual shapes. Because of their slow growth, a pitch pine
shorter than a person may be more than 100 years old! So be nice to
the pitch pines you find in the Shawangunk Ridge. Don't break them,
don't tie climbing rope anchors to them, and don't trample their
roots. To identify the Pitch Pine from White Pines in the area,
take a look at the needle clusters - if there are clusters of 3
needles, it is a pitch pine. If there are clusters of 5 needles,
you are looking at a white pine.
Anywhere along the top of the Shawangunk Ridge, you will find
pitch pines, including along the slabs that line the Trapps
Carriageway Road. The name Trapps comes from the Dutch
trapen, which means "steps". The cache is located on the
carriage road, next to a nice place to enjoy a rest along the white
rock slabs and pitch pines.
Park in the West Trapps Parking Lot off of Rt. 44/55 after the
Trapps Bridge overpass going westbound. You will have to pay a day
use fee at the entrance to the parking lot (see below for more
information about the Mohonk Preserve). On busy weekends,
especially in the autumn, finding parking can be difficult. Best
bet is to arrive before 9am or late in the afternoon. An easy trail
takes you from the end of the parking lot and up the stairs to the
Trapps Bridge, where you can cross over the highway. Continue on
the carriage road over the bridge and onto the Trapps Carriageway
Road. The cache is a short walk from the bridge.
If your visit is less than 30 minutes, you can park at the
scenic overlook (30 minute limit is enforced), walk up Rt. 44/55
(carefully!) and turn left just before the Trapps Steel Bridge
where the handicapped parking spots are and left onto the Trapps
Carriageway Road. You may still run into a ranger and be required
to pay the day pass fees.
There is handicapped parking located next to the Trapps Steel
Bridge, which will avoid the stairs, but assistance to retrieve the
cache may be required. The carriage road can accommodate
wheelchairs, bikes and strollers, but it is gravel and can be bumpy
and muddy.
The Mohonk Preserve is a private land conservation organization
established to protect the Shawangunk Ridge, it is not public land
funded by the government. Therefore, there is a day use fee to use
the preserve which funds its maintenance and programs. For the
current day pass fees, check the
Mohonk Preserve website.
The Mohonk Preserve does allow geocaching on its land, as long as
it is along established trails and carriage roads. Note that dogs
must be leashed at all times.
For a wonderful example of a dwarf pitch pine barren,
visit the
Sam's Point Preserve.