If you love rock scrambling and gorgeous views, grab a map and knock yourself out.
Parking: Mohonk Preserve Visitor's Center 3197 US Route 55, Gardiner, NY. There is a $12 fee per person to enter the preserve from here ($26 per person from the Mountain House)
Miles: 8-10
Hours: 5-7
What I took:
I had been wanting to do these rock scrambles for a while but I did not know the trails, so this was a great opportunity. This group hike was organized by the NYC Hiking and Outdoor Adventure Group on Meetup.com. Since I had not been on one of their meet ups yet, I didn't quite know what to expect; but it would be all good.
As such a large group was difficult to accommodate all skill levels, a group of 10 of us led by a very capable fellow headed out ahead of the main group. We would move faster and explore some off trail scrambles and crevices.
Starting from the visitor center we headed to the East Trapps Connector. After the parking lot is a very steep set of stone steps. A nice way to start the day! We then made a right onto Undercliff Road, one of the many multi-use carriage roads on the preserve. You will begin to get some views to the southeast towards New Paltz.
After almost 2 miles, we merged onto Laurel Ledge Road and then turned right on the Blue Giants Workshop. Our first scramble of the day. Over and under boulders & rocks, we traversed off trail to the Humpty Dumpty Road. After that I'm not sure which way we went, but we ended up at one of the best viewpoints in Mohonk.
Descending the rock, we took some carriage roads and another path on our way to the Undercliff Path. This trail runs alongside Mohonk Lake on the Mountain House property. Passing through, you are free to stop in the gift shop where there are snacks and beverages. There are some bathrooms as well with nearby water fountains. We stopped for lunch next to the putting green overlooking the lake.
The afternoon would be the best part of the day, as if it wasn't already awesome. Our little group broke off once more as we flew through the Labyrinth, another classic scramble. The destination was the tower you see in the photos above: Sky Top (The Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower). Albert and his twin brother Alfred founded the Mohonk Mountain House in the 1870's. Before we could reach the tower and its panoramic views, we had to climb the Lemon Squeeze. A crack in the rock no more than shoulder width apart, if that, climbs straight up on a series of ladders.
Once at the top, the effort is rewarded. Incredible views await here and at the tower.
After a nice break at the tower, we descended the Sky Top Path and then to some more off trail exploration. Somehow we ended up on the Red Arching Rocks Path and back at the Giant Workshop.
After the Giant Workshop we were back on the Laurel Ledge Road and then Undercliff Road. It was a great day and I was able to meet some really great people who love hiking just as much as I do.
I highly recommend visiting Mohonk Preserve. Visit their website for more by clicking here
Parking: Mohonk Preserve Visitor's Center 3197 US Route 55, Gardiner, NY. There is a $12 fee per person to enter the preserve from here ($26 per person from the Mountain House)
Miles: 8-10
Hours: 5-7
What I took:
- daypack
- 3L of water
- lunch, snacks
- first aid
- tape
- knife
- bug repellent
- compass
- map - New York New Jersey Trail Conference #105 & 106
- hiking boots or trail running shoes
- NO COTTON - Why no cotton? Cotton is a thicker material and isn't as breathable as synthetic materials. Once it's wet, it becomes heavier and takes longer to dry.
I had been wanting to do these rock scrambles for a while but I did not know the trails, so this was a great opportunity. This group hike was organized by the NYC Hiking and Outdoor Adventure Group on Meetup.com. Since I had not been on one of their meet ups yet, I didn't quite know what to expect; but it would be all good.
As such a large group was difficult to accommodate all skill levels, a group of 10 of us led by a very capable fellow headed out ahead of the main group. We would move faster and explore some off trail scrambles and crevices.
Starting from the visitor center we headed to the East Trapps Connector. After the parking lot is a very steep set of stone steps. A nice way to start the day! We then made a right onto Undercliff Road, one of the many multi-use carriage roads on the preserve. You will begin to get some views to the southeast towards New Paltz.
After almost 2 miles, we merged onto Laurel Ledge Road and then turned right on the Blue Giants Workshop. Our first scramble of the day. Over and under boulders & rocks, we traversed off trail to the Humpty Dumpty Road. After that I'm not sure which way we went, but we ended up at one of the best viewpoints in Mohonk.
Descending the rock, we took some carriage roads and another path on our way to the Undercliff Path. This trail runs alongside Mohonk Lake on the Mountain House property. Passing through, you are free to stop in the gift shop where there are snacks and beverages. There are some bathrooms as well with nearby water fountains. We stopped for lunch next to the putting green overlooking the lake.
The afternoon would be the best part of the day, as if it wasn't already awesome. Our little group broke off once more as we flew through the Labyrinth, another classic scramble. The destination was the tower you see in the photos above: Sky Top (The Albert K. Smiley Memorial Tower). Albert and his twin brother Alfred founded the Mohonk Mountain House in the 1870's. Before we could reach the tower and its panoramic views, we had to climb the Lemon Squeeze. A crack in the rock no more than shoulder width apart, if that, climbs straight up on a series of ladders.
Once at the top, the effort is rewarded. Incredible views await here and at the tower.
After a nice break at the tower, we descended the Sky Top Path and then to some more off trail exploration. Somehow we ended up on the Red Arching Rocks Path and back at the Giant Workshop.
After the Giant Workshop we were back on the Laurel Ledge Road and then Undercliff Road. It was a great day and I was able to meet some really great people who love hiking just as much as I do.
I highly recommend visiting Mohonk Preserve. Visit their website for more by clicking here
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