Destination: Hidden Pond - (water snakes and spiders - no fish)
Location: Minnewaska State Park - NY
Shawangunk trail map #9 (2F grid)

Letterbox hidden on 6-24-02 at 2pm by J&G with nephew Stevie

Distance one way: 2.78 miles

Terrain Difficulty: Moderate and Tricky - 3/4's of the way follows the
Sander's Kill stream passing several pools of water and slippery rocks.

No drinkable water along the way without filtration.

Optional Equipment: Step Counter

Bug Repellent may be needed!

Directions /Clues:

1) We parked our Caravan in first loop on the Long Path at Jenny Lane on
44/55
2) Walk for one mile 40 degrees True North first passing the last parking
loop and two little fields followed by a high grass covered path for a
total number of 2465 steps. If you see a sign at about 1900 steps you
are doing fine. [41 45 04N , 74 14 24W on a GPS] a few more 100 yards to
the next point { in the past we have actually bushwhacked here to the
stream with our dog "BUD" , it is a more difficult way to go}
3) After continuing on shortly you will be at a grassy clearing, make a
sharp right and go down the hill southerly for 0.1 (tenth) of a mile.
4) At the bottom you will be by the stream again and by a hunters cabin.
5) Continue around the back of the cabin and head downstream for a half
of a mile.
6) Within the next few hundred feet , cross over stream. ( total steps
now about 3826)
7)Walking down the right side of the steam for another 1/2 mile you will
pass posted land on the other side.
8) At about 5181 steps or about 2.1 miles make a sharp right up tributary
stream up to falls. (150 yards)
9) At the top of the falls make a sharp left (over a log) and continue a
few hundred feet to another fork.
10) Do not go down the path into the woods! At this second split take the
right path by the flat rock area ,
go to the left edge of the flat rock field , There is a path here into
the mountain laurel heading uphill in a southerly direction.
11) Here is where it gets tricky! Head to the top of the mountain (SE
140 degrees) and keep to the middle path. Watch out for false side paths.
At about 6185 steps you will go over a small 2 foot rock wedged on trail
being used as a bridge over a small crevice. About another 300 yrds to
Hidden Pond!
12)Letterbox is under a loose 14inch by 7 inch rock , 75 feet uphill
(190 degrees South) from the flat rocks on waters edge where its a good
place to have a snack. There is something special about this rock ledge
, two special features about 10 feet or so apart form each other on two
seperate rocks here, one big one small...................you will know
when you see it!.

Good Luck and have fun finding it!