Much like Thomas Hobbes commentary on the life of man, this route can be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."  'Solitary' beside the bubbling waters of the Coxing Kill; 'Poor' in road conditions on brief sections of Albany Post Road; 'Nasty' with weekend automobile traffic along the short stretch of Route 299; 'Brutish' in the climb up Mountain Rest Road; and 'Short' at only 22 miles. Two thousand feet of cumulative elevation gain make it seem longer, but you are well rewarded with scenic overlooks both west and east of the Shawangunk Ridge.

Look for: 

• The beaver dam on the Kleine Kill.

• The perfectly framed picture of the red barn with the Catskills in the distance on the eastern slope of Mountain Rest Road.

• Views of Skytop from every angle.

• 'Stump Art' on Clove Road.

• The scenic overlook just beyond the Trapps Bridge.

• Rock climbers above the Undercliff Trail on the Mohonk Preserve.

Refuel:  Fourteen miles into the ride, the Bistro Mountain Store at the junction of 299 and 44/55 has a full selection of food and drinks, plus picnic tables out front.