Troop 189 has been awarded BSA Quality Unit Status in
2003
2004
2005
2006

and the
2007 Centennial
Quality Unit
Award
 

ASM Steve and the Troop at Sams Point

Is the curse of the Rainmakers broken?

Troop 189 went on a spectacular hiking trip into the heart of the Shawangunk range near New Paltz, NY April 20 -22.  We arrived on Friday night and set up, and were up early Saturday morning to go explore. 

ASM’s Steve and Paul went ahead to check out the route at Sams Point Preserve in Cragmoor, a sanctuary run by the Nature Conservancy.

Unfortunately Steve and Paul determined that the Ice Caves were still too icy to be safe without specialized gear, so we modified out plans and first hiked to the Sams Point Lookout (above).

After admiring the views we set off on the trail through the dwarf pine forest (an endangered ecosystem) for Verkeerder Kill Falls, a 180 foot waterfall accessible only by foot.

The Trail To The Falls

It’s only about 7 mile round trip to the Falls and back, but the trail is rocky and steep in places. The boys did great, and so did their leaders in the “very senior Patrol”. We ate lunch at the Falls and then hiked back. 

Still photos just don’t do the waterfall justice.
Click HERE for a movie of what we saw; one of the last great places...