the recovering landscape. As a historically fire-adapted ecosystem, much of the vegetation at Sam's Point responded positively in the wake of the fire. However, an abundance of fuel due to reduced fire frequency in recent years led to an intense, fast-moving blaze that did not completely burn through accumulated debris, which may inhibit the regeneration of the park's pitch pine. Ellenville Fault Ice Caves The Ellenville Fault Ice Caves is the largest known open fault in the United States with corresponding ice caves. As a result of the cool microclimate, ice is present throughout the year and more northern plants such as black spruce, hemlock, mountain ash, and creeping snowberry, and bryophytes such as Isopterygium distichaceum are able to survive. It was designated a National Natural Landmark in November 1967. There are hiking trails to the ice caves which are open in the summer, but a permit is required to visit the area. Trails The Long Path long-distance hiking trail crosses it, eventually reaching VerKeerderkill Falls. A branch leads to Sam's Point (with a view of land for many miles, sometimes as far as High Point in New Jersey), and another to the ice caves, with solar powered lights. Visitors who want to get to Sam's Point have to go through Cragsmoor. Gallery See also List of National Natural Landmarks in New York References External links Nature Conservancy page Open Space Institute page Point Preserve - Sam's Point Dwarf Pine Ridge Preserve Trail Details and Info Trail Map to Ice Caves Sam's Point Ice Caves Re-opened to the Public Protected areas of Ulster County, New York Shawangunks Wawarsing, New York Nature reserves in New York (state) Nature centers in New York (state) Nature Conservancy preserves in New York (state) National Natural Landmarks in New York (state) Show caves in the United States Ice caves Civilian Conservation Corps in New York (state) Caves of New York (state) Landforms of Ulster County, New York