Skiing at Lake Minnewaska

Roger, Tony, and I went cross country skiing at Lake Minnewaska this morning. Minnewaska State Park Preserve has been called the "crown jewel" of New York State Parks (according to Roger and Tony). They both voiced their surprise that there weren't any other cars parked in the lot, but it was nice to have the place to ourselves (at least for a little while; we ran into people heading out as we were leaving).
The Preserve is located along the Shawankgunk Ridge, and is home to three sky lakes; Lake Minnewaska, Lake Awosting, and Mud Pond. The area right in front of the parking lot, where we started, overlooks Lake Minnewaska, which was covered with snow, which looked awesome. I went swimming there two summers ago, and have made a mental note to go a lot more this year. We took the 3 mile trail out to Lake Awosting for some nice pictures, then took the same trail back to the car. It would be a huge understatement to say that I am exhausted by now.

Photos

View of Catskills from the parking lot

Lake Minnewaska

Lake Minnewaska with someone's ski tracks

Blow down from snow storm

"Act like you don't know what you're doing"

"Ski Instructor Roger"

"Rainbow Falls"

Rainbow Falls

Some ice Roger wants to climb

Pretty sky

Roger and I

Tony hanging out

Lake Awosting