As part of our First Saturday's on the trail program series Woodstock Land Conservancy has hidden three geocaches at Sloan Gorge Preserve. The First Saturday’s on the trail programs are designed to educate and encourage outdoor activity.
About Sloan Gorge
Allan Edward Sloan, and artist and admirer of the Catskills and Hudson Valley came to Woodstock in the 1920’s where he spent his lifetime involved in the arts. Known for his portraits and landscapes of the region, he donated Sloan Gorge Preserve to the Woodstock Land Conservancy shortly before his death in 1999. It was his desire that those who walk this land enjoy the wildlife and beauty that is so abundant in these woods.
The preserve contains 88 acres of mixed hardwood/coniferous forests, vernal pools, a seasonal stream, and a fine cross section of Catskill geology providing a record of three different chapters of the Earth’s history. It is the home of bear, fox, deer, raccoon, possum, turkey and a wide variety of birds and woodland flora.
At the entrance to this trail are two half-hip, pony-style trusses from a 24 foot long bridge built by the King Bridge Company 1887 across Black Creek in the Town of Byron, NY, donated to the Woodstock Land Conservancy by the Sloan family who owned the King Bridge Company. It is reputed to be one of the oldest wrought iron bridges in New York.
The loop trail starting left takes the hiker to a bluestone quarry within which are evident signs of its active use during the late 1800's and early 1900's. The quarry also displays fine examples of Devonian strata and Mesozoic fractures. The trail continues along a picturesque stream (when flowing) through a dramatic gorge with rock formations created during the Ice Age. It then winds its way back through stands of hemlock, mountain laurel and blueberry bushes eventually passing a beautiful vernal pond, additional rock ledges and another rock quarry.
Enjoy a self-guided Geology Trail walk using our "Field Guide to the Geology for the Sloan Gorge Preserve Nature Trail" by Robert Titus, PhD. The brochure will walk you through 9 stops in the preserve that will take you on a journey into our region's geologic history as an ancient river delta complex bigger than that of the Mississippi. The brochure is available at the Sloan Gorge trailhead kiosk.
The Cache
Each cache consists of a 2-liter cylindrical poly bottle, and each is filled with kid-friendly items. These geocaches were placed by the Woodstock Land Conservancy.
Parking
Access to the cache is available from a single parking location. Located at the foot of Overlook Mountain on the Woodstock-Saugerties town line on Stoll Road near its southwestern end close to Goat Hill Road (Ulster County). The Sloan Gorge Preserve is open from dawn to dusk. Due to rugged trail conditions and Woodstock Land Conservancy guidelines, geocaching is not permitted after dusk. Look for the Woodstock Land Conservancy kiosk. Please park only in the Sloan Gorge parking lot.
Please Cache In and Trash Out!