Shawangunk Ridge - Ulster County, New York
Posted by: 
Vermontish
N 41° 40.249 W 074° 21.029
18T E 554067 N 4613432
Between the Catskills and the Hudson River
Waymark Code: WM4H2C
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 08/24/2008
Views: 52
The distinctive white rock that caps the Shawangunk Ridge is made up of quartz sand and pebbles. The space between these sediments was filled with quartz "cement" and slowly converted to rock called "conglomerate." These hard layers were folded and fractured 350 million years ago. The cliff-edged ridges were then partly worn away by weathering and water erosion, and finally polished by glacial action.
The coordinates and website reference are specifically for the Sam's Point Preserve, which is the highest point in the Ridge. One can visit the Ridge elsewhere, such as at Minnewaska State Park.
The access fee of $7 is for parking when the conservation center is open. If you go on a day it is closed, there is no charge, and you can still hike the half mile to the top of the Ridge.