Denning trailhead (Lone & Rocky)

[Dick]

Would someone please post or PM driving directions for the Denning trailhead (doing Lone & Rocky this weekend). We're coming from Albany area. Thanks in advance!

Dick

[billandjudy]

Dick--I think the best way from Albany would be Rt 28 west to Rt 47 south to Rt 19 (Denning Road) which ends at the PA--It's kinda remote--Although someone local may know a better route.

[Mark Schaefer]

I have always found the route that billandjudy recommended to be the shortest and fastest from Kingston. For variety I sometimes will come back on one of the southern routes, but they are longer and slower. The easiest to navigate on a return is CR-19, NY-55 (through Grahamsville), and US-209. There are also a couple of short cuts past Red Hill (New Hill Rd or Red Hill Rd, both connecting to Sugarloaf Road, and you could come back across Peekamoose Road to NY-28A. Then use your favorite way to NY-28. All of the routes are probably becoming scenic with some autumn foliage.

DeLorme is good. I use it a lot. But it is always good to be suspicious of the roads depicted with thin lines. Many of these may not be open (such as the Shin Creek Road which you and Alan had fun on). Many old carriage roads in the Gunks are also depicted with thin lines, and they have never been open to vehicles other than horse-drawn ones. For the numbered highway routes DeLorme is quite reliable.

[Peakbagr]

Mark and Bill,

I know where the T/H is, but its been years since I've driven to there.
I think what Dick is asking is the shortest driving time from Albany? Do you think the Albany-Kingston-Route 28-to 47- to Denning is quicker then coming down thru Deep Notch, then follow 47 from Big Indian right to Claryville?

[billandjudy]

Thruway to 23 to 23A to 42 to 28 then South on 47? Might be quicker from Albany:tup:
After a quick plot on TOPO==mileage is almost identical!

[mountainmeijin]

I say get off the thru-way in Kingston, onto Rt. 199 west/Rt. 209 south. Take Rt. 209 southwest towards Ellenville. Turn right onto the second Old Rt. 209 south of Wawarsing (it bears gently off to the right, not a sharp turn). Turn right onto Continental Road and follow it to Rt. 55. Follow Rt. 55 west past the reservoir and through Grahamsville and turn right onto Claryville Road. Follow it past the intersection with Frost Valley Road (rt. 47) where it curves to the right and becomes Denning Road. Follow Denning Road to the end.

It's a pretty simple route and is a nice drive as well.

[Peakbagr]

Rob,
That looks like the winner. If we come this way, we could meet in Kingston area and carpool to the trailhead if you're interested.
Haven't seen you in a while.

Alan

[billandjudy]

Rob,
That looks like the winner. If we come this way, we could meet in Kingston area and carpool to the trailhead if you're interested.
Haven't seen you in a while.
Alan

All the routes are pretty close mileage-wise. Within 10 miles--It's funny--any Catskill TH is 2hrs + or - a couple minutes from my house in Jersey.

[Peakbagr]

Rob,
I like to look out my window at Windham and the Blackhead Range to the south, and from a small mountain a few minutes away, see the southern ADKs. :twisted:

[Peakbagr]

For those not in the know, I've been trying to 'kidnap' Rob and Carla for the last year. Sell their house, pack up their stuff, tie the rocking chair to the roof, and move right up here closer to the ADKs, Taconics, Lk George mountains, and the Cats.
So far, he prefers covering large portions of Books on CD during the 3 hour drives to many of the Catskills, and the 6-7 hours of windshield time to the ADKs. :twisted:

[mudhook]

Dick, I would be very careful car-pooling with this bunch, lots of bouncy, rough roads.:D

[Dick]

Dick, I would be very careful car-pooling with this bunch, lots of bouncy, rough roads.:D

I'm driving this time! :D

[Mark Schaefer]

I did an afternoon hike today on Twin and Indian Head. The upper slopes of the Devil's Path are at peak color. Perhaps the best I have ever seen on those two summits. You should also have good color at elevation in the southern Cats, and probably along the Neversink. Have a good hike.

I also agree with Peter's shortcut through nappy Napanoch (meaning sleepy and a long used local nickname). I have taken that route many times, and it is the fastest way to get to NY-55. As I recall Continental Road is marked "Local Traffic Only" as the locals don't like traffic on their road, but everybody takes that shortcut. Y'all just act like locals if you see a you know what. If you miss the turn onto Old 209, take a right at the next traffic light which is Plank Road. A right and a left will put you onto Continental Road. Or you could stay on Plank Road, bear right at the next fork (the left fork is Main Street). After one block turn right onto NY-55. There are no discouraging signs on that route.

[mountainmeijin]

For a bit of color on the way home, you could:

1. Return via Rt. 47 to Rt. 28 and turn east in the village of Big Indian. Take Rt. 214 northeast through Stony Clove to Rt. 23A, then head east through Tannersville and down the clove to pick up the thruway again near 23A's eastern terminus.

2. Turn east onto New Hill Road off of Denning Road, following it to Red Hill Road (unpaved). Head south (right) on Red Hill Road through a high pass between Woodhull Mountain and Red Hill and continue until it fares into Sugarloaf Road, following Sugarloaf to its southern end at Rt. 153 (this part is fun. I like shift into neutral here, because I can make it from the height of land on Red Hill Road to the end of Sugarloaf Road without touching the gas). Turn left onto Rt. 153 and follow it to the tiny hamlet of Sundown, bearing left onto Peekamoose Road (Rt. 42). Return via the Peekamoose Valley and take your pick of left or right at the junction with 28A. Left goes straight to Rt. 28. If you go right, curve left at both road forks coming up, the first one to stay on 28A (the right fork is Rt. 213) and then left again at the next fork to reach the road over the Ashokan Reservoir, which also crosses to Rt. 28.

The second option is more complex, but very pretty, especially through the valley and across the reservoir.