Mohonk Preserve Bonticou Crag and Table Rock, New Paltz Hike

This past weekend I made a trip down to New Paltz to hike in the Gunks with the fall foliage, it was beyond beautiful. We were ready for another rock scramble, our last one was at the nearby Mohonk Mountain House over the summer – this one was at the Mohonk Preserve [Pass the entrance to the Mohonk Mountain House (1000 Mountain Rest Rd, New Paltz, NY 12561) and go under the one-lane bridge go under the one-lane bridge Continue on 1 mile, and turn right on Upper 27 Knolls Road. Within ¼ mile, you’ll reach the kiosk for the Spring Farm Trailhead], two totally separate entities. Just like it’s ritzy resort friend, there is a fee to hike, $12 per person. Hiking around New Paltz can break the bank, Sam’s Point Preserve is another expensive beauty in the area! But once you step out of the car at Mohonk Preserve, you’ll see it’s worth it. You won’t have to walk very far to capture astounding views.

Don’t worry, there’s more where that came from. A jaunt through the woods on the Crag trail

will lead you to the Bonticou Ascent trail, a rockin’ scramble on up the edge of a cliff.

As I was holding on to rock ledges for dear life I found it hard to resist snapping some pictures, the formations were so unique and in the Shawangunk nature white rocks were popping brightly against a blue sky.

Carefully make your way up, it won’t take you too long to make it to the top where you are rewarded with absurdly gorgeous views.

The colors, dude, the colors! It looks like New Paltz is on the far edge of peak foliage nearing the copper age. You could easily turn back now after a solid hike with impeccable views…however you’d miss Table Rock…and you don’t want to do that! A little extra effort, creating a 5.5 mile loop, and you can visit a pretty neat sight. Head back into the woods and enjoy the dense forest, don’t worry – views will keep revealing themselves along the way.

We reached the base of table rock and the cracks were well taller than either of us.

Take the blue blazes to the top of it and explore, mindful of the deep dark fractures now below you.

It’s a stunning sight and a really interesting geological occurrence.

We walk back through the woods, into a picturesque meadow, passed those glorious mountains, to the parking lot. What a breathtaking preserve with one of a kind trails!