There’s general consensus that the Shawangunk Ridge comes to its northern terminus in the Town of Rosendale; but what about that disconnected promontory of rock that looms over Main Street, Joppenbergh Mountain? Is it geologically akin to the Gunks, or a remnant of some other era of rock formation? Such wonderings can be enjoyably put to rest if you join the guided hike that the Wallkill Valley Land Trust (WVLT) this Sunday morning, April 9.
Participants in “Rocks over Rosendale: The Geology of Joppenbergh” will gather at 10 a.m. at Willow Kiln Park, behind the Rosendale Municipal Parking Area and the Rosendale Theatre on Route 213. Alexander Bartholomew, professor of Geology at SUNY-New Paltz, will lead the walk-and-talk. Admission is free, but if you’re planning to attend, preregister at www.facebook.com/events/125766147960363. The hike is expected to take about two hours.
The following Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to noon, WVLT land steward Lynn Bowdery will lead a walk up to the lookout point on Joppenbergh in search of spring ephemerals: the early spring wildflowers that grow and bloom before the trees leaf out and shade them into dormancy. Red trillium, wild columbine, rue anemone, violets and more have been found along this route at this time of year. The path to the lookout rises a modest 200 feet in elevation, but is steep and rocky in a few places. So wear appropriate hiking shoes, and bring along hiking poles if you use them.
The meeting place for this hike will also be the Rosendale Municipal Parking Area at Willow Kiln Park, behind the Rosendale Theatre. To register for “Ephemerals: Early Spring Wildflowers of Joppenbergh,” visit the WVLT Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wallkill.valley.land.trust.
Join the family! 
