Mohonk Preserve: Duck Pond, The Crevice, Rock Rift

https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001B7Dh/act00021796

This hike is described here for informational purposes only. DO NOT REGISTER HERE. USE THE LINK ABOVE.

Strenuous, approximately 10.5 miles moderate to brisk pace. The rock "features" are what require me to list this as Strenuous.

No public transport option, and be prepared to pay a $20 Mohonk day use fee if you're not a member of the preserve.

This hike will include

• Flat/easy paths and carriage ways
• Rocky uneven trails
• One sustained uphill, in what may be hot weather.
• One climb up a tall ladder in the middle of a crevice in giant rocks where you will emerge to breath taking views. It is a Saturday and we will be WAITING ON LINE to do this.
• A visit to Skytop and a stroll past the gardens at the Mohonk Mountain House
• One 20 minute or more rocky loop where we will travel under/over/between/within rock formations where using your arms is a distinct possibility.

We will meet at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead (41.744439626455765, -74.11789073198457), which is chosen because there is never a problem parking there. It also means we have a nice pretty easy walk (see "easy peasy", earlier) to where the "real" hike starts. We can see beautiful views and also maybe animals, if their owners have them grazing that day.

Bring:
LOTS of water
Snacks
A not giant backpack. A giant one will be getting in the way in tight spaces.
Poles if you use them

Let's meet at 9:25 and start soon afterwards.

IF IT WORKED OUT, we could do a very short car shuttle which will reduce the end of day exposed to sun portion. This will be determined once people sign up.