20. Mohonk Preserve and Bonticou Crag

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Easy to moderate for children
Distance :	3.5 miles, loop
Hiking time :	2.5 hours
High point/elevation gain :	1194 feet, 300 feet
Hikable :	April-November
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 10A

This hike offers a manageable route to the splendid Bonticou Crag. At nearly 1200 feet, this ridge looms over the surrounding area, with far-reaching westerly views over the Shawangunk Mountains. Remember, though, that it is a precipitous escarpment. Parents must exercise caution and keep young children within sight, if not within reach.

Children will also enjoy following the self-guided nature trail around the petite pond that we've included in this Mohonk route; don't forget to stop in at the Mohonk Resort Visitor Center to pick up a brochure describing the numbered stations.

From New York City, take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 18 in New Paltz. Drive 2 miles west on NY-299 and turn right onto Ulster County 7 (Springtown Road) at a sign for "MOHONK MOUNTAIN HOUSE, 4." Shortly, turn left (northeast) onto Ulster County 6 (Mountain Rest Road). Drive 3.5 miles on Ulster County 6 to the Mohonk Gatehouse entrance and parking area on your left (east). Purchase your day pass here.

From the parking area, head eastward, crossing Ulster County 6 by way of the crosswalk. Follow the level, graded Bonticou Carriageway as it curves gently eastward and then south to skirt around the Mountain Rest Golf Course. Ignore the turnoff that comes up on your left (east) after 0.25 miles and continue on the clearly marked Bonticou Carriageway for another 0.25 miles. Look for an intersection with the wide, yellow-blazed Bonticou Path on your right (south) and follow it very briefly downhill until you intersect the blue-blazed Northeast Trail. Turn right to follow the blue blazes northeastward toward Bonticou Crag. As former ski trails cross the path, gaze at the pretty views to the south and east over a bucolic valley. Kids, imagine what it was like to plummet down this snowy hill on skis!

Over the next 0.25 mile, the trail drops in and out of a series of gullies that drain spring runoff. As the red-blazed Bonticou Path cuts across the trail at the 0.6-mile mark, continue to follow the Northeast Trail's blue blazes. Descending gradually, the trail hops over two more gullies, then crosses an active brook. The blue blazes lead across an occasional stream, then direct hikers up a moderate hill through stands of oak and pine. In autumn, watch squirrels collecting acorns and toadstools in anticipation of winter. If you are hiking in the spring, you may catch a squirrel in the act of stealing a bird's egg for its supper.

At 0.9 mile, the trail climbs past boulders and ledge at the base of Bonticou Crag. On a hot day, you'll welcome the sudden "air conditioning.'' To find the source of the cool air, look to the right through a rock crevice where previous hikers have worn a side trail. This unofficial path leads to a cave that sweeps around to the left, with an outlet farther up the trail. Who is daring enough to try the cave route? (We recommend the detour for very hot hikers: when the temperature on the trail is 90 degrees, the temperature inside the cave is closer to 65 degrees.)

Continue straight on the Northeast Trail as a yellow-blazed trail cuts through on its way (eastward) to the boulder slide below Bonticou Crag. At 1.2 miles from the start, bear right with the blue trail at an intersection with the Cedar Trail, marked in red. Look to the right (east) at imposing ledges, the relatively meager tail of Bonticou Crag. Follow the blue trail to the base of the cliffs, then scale the steep (but manageable) slope to the top.

Curling right, the trail meets the blue-blazed Ridge Trail and a yellow-blazed trail. Turn right (south) onto the yellow-blazed Bonticou Crag Trail, which soon sweeps southwestward on a moderate ascent. As the path snakes up through pitch pine and hemlock and across exposed ledge, the kids can count toadstools to ward off complaining. How many different varieties can you find? What purpose do you think these unusual plants serve? (In essence, they are the forest housekeepers. By taking in dead material through their slender, hairlike roots, toadstools ensure that the forest will not be buried under layers of dead leaves and branches. They also fertilize the soil while they are tidying up.)

After 0.25 mile, the yellow trail arrives atop the lofty escarpment known as Bonticou Crag. From here, the panoramas extend across the Shawangunks and into the Catskills. (This is definitely one of those "climb-repaying" crests.) You can wander along the barren ridge of the crag for about 0.1 mile. Stop for a picnic along the cliffs, and absorb the sun and the view. To keep kids from wandering close to the edge while you're eating, suggest that they touch various objects nearby and compare surface temperatures. Does a rock feel warmer than a pine cone? Is the top of your head as warm as your backpack? What do you think affects the amount of warmth an object retains?

Retrace your steps to the intersection of the Northeast Trail and Bonticou Path. Turn left (southeast) onto the red-blazed Bonticou Path and hike 0.25 mile to a side trail that splits left (east) onto the Pond Loop Trail. If you picked up a self-guided nature trail brochure at the visitor center, you'll feel as if you have your own personal naturalist leading your hike. Circle the pond, return to the Bonticou Path, and retrace your steps to arrive back at the intersection with the blue-blazed Northeast Trail. Turn left (west) onto the trail and retrace your steps back to the Bonticou Carriageway and your car.

Note: For current information about fees and events at Mohonk Mountain House, call ahead. For more contact information "See Addresses"