Shawangunk Ridge - Definition and Overview

The Shawangunks are shown in red in this map (also shown in relation to the Catskills and Harriman State Park.)

The Shawangunk Ridge (also known as the Shawangunk Mountains, or The Gunks) is a ridge of mountains in Ulster County, Sullivan County and Orange County in the state of New York, extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains.

The spelling is a Dutch approximation of "shongum," and many longtime area residents pronounce it that way.

The Shawngunks contain the many preserves, including Mohonk Preserve and Sam's Point Preserve and hiking trails. There are also many waterfalls in the Shawangunk region, like VerKeerderkill falls. The Shawngunks is also known for having some of the best rock climbing in the northeast United States.

In 2004, a luxury development plan for buildings has threatened the ridge line, and as a result a grassroots "Save the Ridge" campaign has become extremely popular in the area.

External links

• Shawangunk home page (http://home.hvc.rr.com/smhp/)
• http://www.savethegunks.com/

Preserves within the Shawangunks:

• Mohonk Preserve (http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/)
• Mohonk Mountain Resort (http://www.mohonk.com/)
• Sam's Point Dwarf Pine Ridge Preserve (http://nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/eastern/preserves/art3851.html)