Mohonk Preserve ideal for outdoor enthusiasts

The Mohonk Preserve is part of the northern Shawangunk Mountains in Ulster County -- a 38-square mile natural area comprising almost 25,000 acres of semi-wilderness land used by hikers, bird watchers, climbers, skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Its sky lakes, dramatic cliffs and rock outcrops, scenic vistas, secluded glens, cascading waterfalls, and old-growth Hemlock ravines are home to rare and endangered plants and wildlife and fragile ecosystems, some of which have remained undisturbed since the last ice age.

A History of Land Saving

Much of the credit for an intact landscape belongs to the Quaker philanthropists Albert K. and Alfred H. Smiley and their descendants. Beginning in 1869, they painstakingly assembled some 400 separate parcels surrounding Lakes Mohonk and Minnewaska, where they developed resorts.

Today, parts of this land of unusual beauty are legally protected and open to the public. More than 6,100 acres is owned by the Mohonk Preserve, a nonprofit organization founded in 1963, and another 12,000 acres surrounding Minnewaska are owned by the State of New York. The Mohonk Preserve's mission is to protect a sensitive ecological complex in perpetuity, while providing for public recreation and education.

The beauty, natural diversity, and nature recreation opportunities of the northern Shawangunks are a great part of their attraction to visitors and local residents. The Preserve has established acquisition criteria to protect lands for their scientific, educational, and recreational values. Lands acquired must either share a common boundary with the Preserve, occupy a significant part of its viewshed, or have realistic potential for future unification with existing Preserve lands.

Our Mission

As steward of this exceptional resource, the Mohonk Preserve is dedicated to protecting a sensitive, ecological complex in perpetuity while providing for low-impact public recreation, educational and public programs, and research projects. The Preserve also promotes a concerned understanding of the relations between humankind and nature in this region and throughout the world.

These principles guided the creation of the Preserve by Daniel and Keith Smiley, grandnephews of the twins, with other family members and close friends. With their vision to inspire us, we welcome you, your family and friends to what we believe is a truly special place.

School Programs

The Mohonk Preserve's school program is a leader in experiential environmental education, and provides this service to local communities. The school program provides teacher training, field studies for more than 5,000 students each year, and serves as an extension of classroom learning.

This unique education program builds on the previous year's learning experiences. From science to social studies, art to music, the program content is inter-disciplinary. Innovative hands-on activities stimulate the interest and enthusiasm in children to understand their role in the environment..

Community Education

Over 150 guided nature programs are offered each year, including bird watching, geology walks, nature walks and many more. Workshops, seminars and conferences on environmental and land use issues are significant to the tradition of concern for nature and its inter-relationship with humankind.

Preserve publications include books, articles, environmental checklists and newsletters.

Day Visitors

Since its founding in 1963, Mohonk Preserve has acquired over 6,000 acres on the ridge of the Shawangunk Mountains. Twenty-five miles of carriage roads and 30 miles of hiking trails provide access to some of the most beautiful and rugged terrain in the northeast.

Each year an estimated 100,000 people visit the Preserve for gentle walks, strenuous hikes, nature study, rock-climbing, cross-country skiing, bicycling, horseback riding, running, and other activities compatible with preservation of the land.

Mohonk Mountain House, which is adjacent but not related to the Preserve, maintains 2,000 acres, including Mohonk Lake, gardens, the golf links, and Sky Top tower. Inquiries about visits to the resort and reservations should be made by calling (845) 255-1000. Visitors to the Preserve are warned against walking across the golf course between April 1 and Nov. 15 because of the danger of being struck by a golf ball.

Your Preserve entry permit entitles you to hike on Preserve and Mohonk resort lands; this hiking privilege does not include parking at the resort's gatehouse, nor does it allow access to the Mountain House or its facilities including the lake.

The most popular entry points to the Preserve are at Trapps Bridge on Routes 44/55 and the Preserve's Visitor Center. Entry permits must be obtained at the Visitor Center or from the rangers on patrol. There is no charge for children 12 and under with a parent. Annual memberships are also available. The Preserve is a not-for-profit corporation supported by fees, contributions and grants.

With advance arrangements the Preserve can offer naturalist and ranger services to schools, youth groups, and adult outing clubs as part of its environmental education program. Trail maps and other interpretive literature are available at the visitor center.

Rock Climbing

Preserve recreationists have always been leaders in recognizing the risks of mountain terrain and in taking responsibility for their actions. Climbing is very popular here, with nearly 1/2 of the Preserve's members being climbers and over 40,000 climbing visits per year. Climbers need to be responsible users of this valuable resource in order to preserve its unique environmental qualities and maintain access.

The Mohonk Preserve does not maintain the rocks, cliffs, or other natural features of the Shawangunk Ridge; does not provide supervision or instruction; is not responsible for the acts of persons who may be on Mohonk Preserve property; and is not responsible for climbing protection (including but not limited to bolts, pitons, and rappel slings) on the cliffs.

Climb at Your Own Risk

Parking: A Sensitive Issue

Ease traffic congestion by carpooling if you can. Please comply with posted regulations and "No Parking" signs. It is recommended that you use the West Trapps Entry parking area and stay on marked trails to avoid eroding the slopes between the road and cliffs. If you must park on the shoulder of the road, always park well inside the white line -- if your wheels touch the white line, you could get a ticket. Be careful when exiting your car and pulling out into traffic. To reduce car break-ins, conceal your gear or take it with you.

On The Way In & When You Leave

Please pay your use fee; passes can be purchased daily or annually. While hiking to the cliffs, use only established trails and carriage roads. Respect the rights and privacy of other landowners; don't cross private property without permission. Step up slope and off trail when meeting equestrians and Preserve vehicles. Please be considerate of other visitors -- loud noise and profanity are inappropriate here. Dogs must be leashed and quiet.

On the Climb

The following is Preserve policy and should always be observed. Tree cutting, rock trundling, hold chopping, and bolting or gluing of holds are prohibited. Existing fixed anchors may be replaced as needed. In general, please treat the rock gently. Try not to damage lichen and vegetation growing on the cliff. Minimize chalk use and brush off heavily chalked holds. Leave only rock colored slings at rappel stations. Climb safely, for your sake and others'.

At The Base

Glass, fires,and radios/tape players (without headphones) are not allowed in the Preserve. Leave the area cleaner than you found it. Carry out cigarette butts, tape, cans and wrappers in your pack. Dispose of human waste properly: whenever possible, use a portasan. Otherwise bury your waste and carry out toilet paper in a plastic bag. Please, no yelling beyond ordinary climbing signals.

You Are Part Of The Solution

The Mohonk Preserve needs your cooperation and support to preserve the Gunks. Your climbing privileges depend on the behavior of other climbers -- help make sure others follow the rules, too. Generally, you can support climbing access by informing yourself about current issues, by volunteering for events like trash pickups or trail maintenance, and by joining local and national organizations that support responsible outdoor recreation.

Climbing Seasons

Climbing is possible year-round at the Gunks, but is most pleasant in the spring and fall. Be aware that on good weather weekends, the Gunks can be very crowded. On the busiest weekends, the Preserve may limit the number of use passes issued. Annual membership is encouraged.

Camping and Fires

Camping is not permitted on the Preserve except in the small area by the Trapps Bridge on Route 44/55. It's for climbers only, and fires are not allowed. A state multiple-use area on Route 299, not far from its intersection with Route 44/55, offers camping for three days without a permit and allows fires. Car camping is no longer permitted on a segment of abandoned road (Old Wawarsing Highway) due to construction of the Preserve's new Trapps Gateway Center and attendant off road parking for day visitors. If tents are used, they must be taken down during the day at the latter two areas noted. Other private camping options exist.

Services

All amenities are found in New Paltz & Gardiner. For more information, write to Mohonk Preserve, P.O. Box 715, New Paltz, NY 12561. Or stop by the Mohonk Preserve at 3197 Route 44-55, Gardiner, NY 12525. Call (845) 255-0919, or send e-mail to info@mohonkpreserve.org.

Guiding

Organized climbing classes must register with the Preserve at least two weeks in advance of their arrival. Minors enrolled in such classes must return a waiver signed by a parent or guardian; only guide services registered with the Preserve are permitted to provide climbing instruction for minors. For more information about guiding at the Gunks, contact the Mohonk Preserve at the above address and phone or by E-mail to info@mohonkpreserve.org.

For more information about Mohonk Preserve please visit their site at www.mohonkpreserve.org.