The GUNKS are unlike any other place on earth! For this 25K and 10 miler you'll climb and descend gorgeous mountain singletracks through pitch pines, huckleberry bushes, and mountain laurels while traversing the ivory conglomerate cliffs and glacially-polished ledges of the Shawangunk Ridge. Your hard work will be rewarded with breathtaking sweeping views of the Catskills and the iconic 187 ft Verkeerder K*ll Falls! This Trail Party is inspired by the Ellenville Mountain Festival that was led by Todd Jennings and Ken Posner from 2015-2017 and Sassquad Trail Party Director Kim Levinsky's Fastest Known Time of the 358M New York Long Path. This Trail Party benefits the RunWild, Inc. Please visit our website for all of the details!
This trail party starts and finishes at Berme Road Park in Ellenville, NY. We have two squatchtastic courses: the 10 miler and the 25K. Both events are true mountain routes that are packed with climbing, cliffs, and even a bit of scrambling on the 25K route. You'll be surrounded by stunning trail beauty from start to finish as you explore some of the most spectacular trails in the country. It's difficult to describe the diverse beauty of these trails as they are unlike anywhere else! When Trail Party Director Kim Levinsky completed the Fastest Known Time for the 358M New York Long Path, she noted that this section through Minnewaska State Preserve was the most beautiful. Since then, Kim has been dreaming about hosting a race on the Long Path so others could experience its awe-inspiring beauty.
This is not a flat course and is right up there with the challenge level of our two Big Bear SquaTCh Trail Parties at Harriman State Park. We recommend a sturdy/grippy trail shoe with good grip/lugs. Trekking poles could be helpful for some folks. We do not recommend this event to kids under the age of 14.
