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Couple Hiking at Mohonk

Hiker’s Holiday

September 24 – 27, 2021
April 29 – May 2, 2022

For 88 years hiking enthusiasts have gathered to hike the remarkable trails throughout a spectacular 40,000-acre wilderness region that includes both Mohonk Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve lands. Travelers from around the globe seek out the world-class hiking here, traversing mature forests, sweeping cliffs, and mountain streams. Our Hiker’s Holiday weekend program features a variety of hikes for all levels. Hike all day or choose just a few as we explore changes to the natural landscape in the stunning Shawangunk Mountains made by nature itself.

 

Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .

Each day features hikes for all levels

Whether you seek the challenge of steep trails over boulders and cliffs or prefer a relaxing stroll along carriage roads, you will find like-minded hiking companions.

Each day’s outing is complemented by afternoon tea and cookies, sumptuous meals, and captivating evening entertainment. Our award-winning Spa and indoor heated pool provide a relaxing and rejuvenating experience after a day hiking the mountain.

On Sunday September 26, there are two all-day hikes that depart at 9am and should return to the Mountain House by 3:30 – 4pm.. Sign-up is required and available through reservations before Friday, September 24. Guests will need to supply a day pack and box lunches will be provided. After you arrive to property, you may sign up for an all-day hike and order your box lunch from Theme Programs at the following Hiker’s Holiday events:

  • Friday, September 24 at 4pm or 9pm
  • Saturday, September 25 at 9am or 10am

Suggestions to bring: A small pack, rain gear, binoculars, hiking shoes, extra socks, and a water bottle.

Length of time for the hikes are listed with descriptions and are approximate.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Sunset Clouds

Hiker’s Holiday Meet and Greet
4pm – 4:30pm

Join us in the Lake Lounge to answer any questions you may have about the program. Sign-up for the all-day hike on Sunday and choose your box lunch. At 4pm, enjoy afternoon tea and cookies and meet the program leaders.

First Hike (Leisurely)
4:30pm

Join us for a casual 1 hour hike with some of the weekend’s hike leaders.

Night Hike (Leisurely)
9pm

Enjoy the beautiful evening mountain air on this casual hike to Cope’s Lookout. We’ll depart the Mountain House in full darkness, watching and listening for sights and sounds of the night: stars, planets, satellites, owls, coyotes, whippoorwills, and more – if the weather allows! No flashlights, phones, or electronics please. (1 hour)

Live Music with JB3
9pm

The Jeremy Baum Trio will play a mix of funk, soul, and jazz, drawing from the sounds of the late 1960s. Featuring Chris Vitarello, a gifted guitarist and blues hall of famer, who “merits notice for his technical powers and imagination, his reaching extending to rockabilly and swing.” Come and enjoy!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Mohonk landscape

Early Morning Walk
7:30am

Join Paul Huth, Director of Research Emeritus, on a leisurely walk along two historic paths built in the autumn of 1874, Lake Shore Path and Undercliff Path, and discuss some of the 150-year long history of this National Historic Landmark property. (1 hour)

Half Day Hike
9am

Offering majestic views of the Catskill Mountains, this hike will take us over rock boulders, through wooded trails, and on carriage roads. We begin our hike on Cope’s Lookout Road and Humpty Dumpty Road before making our way through the amazing Giant’s Workshop rock scramble. We will be hiking along the top of the clove on some of the remote trails of the Mountain House and Mohonk Preserve. On our return to the Mountain House, we will be taking Stokes Trail back to Mossy Brook Road. Hikers will return by 1pm. (4 hours)

Brisk Morning Hike
10am

A member of the Recreation staff will lead a hike along Huguenot Drive, Bridge Road, Forest Drive, and Lake Shore Road. This hike is moderate to fast pace over carriage roads with gradual descents and ascents. Approximately 3 miles. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Moderate Two Hour Hike
10am

This moderate hike will take you to Copes’ Lookout, where you will be able to take in a majestic view of the Clove Valley, Catskill Mountains, and the Shawangunk Ridge. This hike will then lead us around the mighty Sky Top Tower through the Mountain House’s beautiful property via carriage roads and on some of the best hiking trails this area has to offer. (2 hours)

Leisurely Afternoon Hike
2pm

Join a member of our Recreation staff for this leisurely afternoon hike along Eagle Cliff Road. Approximately 2 miles. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Summerhouse Tour: Behind the scenes with Mohonk’s Rustic Carpenters
3pm

Summerhouses have been an integral feature of Mohonk’s breathtaking grounds since the beginning. During this walk you will see the latest projects undertaken by this very talented crew. Prepare to be amazed! (1 hour)

Beer Tasting with Mill House Brewing Company*
5pm

Join Poughkeepsie based Mill House Brewing Company for a discussion and tasting of their delicious local craft beer.

*Note: Pre-registration is required with a $30 per person admittance fee to the tasting. Space is limited. Participants must be age 21 or over to attend.

Live Music with Tom Chapin & Friends
9pm

In a career that spans five decades, 23 albums and three Grammy awards; multi-talented singer/songwriter/guitarist Tom Chapin has covered an incredible amount of creative ground. Chapin joins fellow musicians Michael Mark and Jon Cobert to deliver a performance with infectious songs, sterling musicianship and personal warmth!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

People hiking on rocks

Full Day Hikes 
9am – 3:30pm

The Sunday all-day hikes depart at 9am and should return to the Mountain House by 3:30pm.

Full Day Rock Scrambling Hike: Our morning begins with a sweeping view of the Castkill Mountain range before making our way towards the majestic Bonticou Cliff. We will be rock scrambling to the top where we will be rewarded with one of the most amazing views this area has to offer. As we make our way back towards the Mountain House, we will be hiking through Guyot Hill, towards the Gatehouse, and back to the Mountain House on wooded trails.

Full Day Hike: The trails and carriage roads surrounding the Mountain House will be the focus of this moderate hike, while trekking through forested areas that the pioneers once traveled. From Lake Mohonk, we will make our way toward Duck Pond where you will catch a glimpse of Sky Top Tower and perhaps some of the wildlife that inhabits the ridge. Our hike will lead us to the Testimonial Gatehouse where visitors of the resort used to arrive. We will return to the Mountain House on the trails and carriage roads that guests used to travel so many years ago.

*Note: Pre-registration with overnight reservation is required. Space is limited.

Brisk Morning Hike
10am

Brisk morning hike to Sky Top via Huguenot Drive and Sky Top Road — this hike is moderate to fast pace is up hill on carriage roads and returns on a path. Approximately 3 miles. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Leisurely Afternoon Hike
2pm

Take a hike along Home Farm Loop with Mohonk’s Recreation staff. Approximately 1 ¾ miles. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Brisk Hike
3pm

Hike along Lake Shore Road, Forest Drive, Bridge Road, and Huguenot Drive, Hemlock Lane, and North Lookout Road. This hike is moderate to fast pace over carriage roads with gradual descents and ascents. Approximately 3 ½ miles. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Live Music with Miss Maybell and the Jazz Artistes
9pm

Miss Maybell & The Jazz Age Artistes play a large repertoire of early Jazz and Blues from 1910’s – 30’s and were recently featured on the NPR Show “Person, Place, Thing” with Randy Cohen. The trio is composed of some of NYC’s best Jazz players including. Charlie Judkins on piano, Brian Nalepka on bass and tuba, and Miss Maybell on voice, washboard, and guitar.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Couple sitting on rock looking at Mohonk land

Early Fox Walk: The Way of our Ancestors
7:30am

Learn how moving efficiently through the natural world helps to pattern our brains for expanded awareness and our bodies for balance, agility, and strength. Shifting from an urban or suburban gait to our ancestral gait makes us instantly quieter in the woods and enables a more intimate perspective into the natural world. By learning to expand all of our senses to their fullest potential, we are able to see more wildlife and discern more subtle patterns. 1 mile, easy pace, all are welcome. (1 hour)

Farewell Hike
9am

Our final long hike will be one to remember.  We will travel around the beautiful trails of the Mountain House taking in the majestic views of the surrounding valleys, mountains, lake, and of the mighty Mountain House itself. We will start our hike up to Sky Top Tower where we will take in a beautiful 360-degree view of the Mountain House, Catskill Mountains, and of the Hudson Valley. We will then travel to Lily Pond, back down to Lake Mohonk, and up to Eagle Cliff where we will be able to see different vantage points of Sky Top Tower, Lake Mohonk, and the Mountain House along the way. Our journey will end at the Mountain House where this will conclude our Hikers’ Holiday program until we meet again. (3 hours)

Brisk Morning Hike
10am

Join a member of our Recreation staff for this brisk morning hike along Copes Lookout Road, Humpty Dumpty Road, Long Woodland Drive, and Lake Shore Road – This hike is moderate to fast pace over relatively flat terrain with gradual uphill portions. Approximately 3 miles. Age 7 and up Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Leisurely Afternoon Hike
2pm

Join a member of our Recreation staff for this leisurely afternoon hike around Lake Mohonk. Approximately 1 mile. Age 7 and up. Proper footwear is required, sneakers or boots, no flip-flops or sandals. (1 hour)

Availability is limited. For reservations, please call .

MEET OUR PROGRAM LEADERS

Roger Ennis

Roger Ennis

Roger grew up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where he eventually made his way to the Hudson Valley in 1995 where he has lived ever since.  He found his passion in rock climbing, which afforded him the opportunity to receive a degree from the State University of New York at Cortland in Outdoor Recreation. Roger is New York State Certified in Rock and Ice Climbing, Hiking, and Camping Guide as well as a Ranger-Program Specialist with the Mohonk Preserve. When he is not working, you can catch him (usually with his wife and son) out rock climbing or doing the many other activities he enjoys.  The Shawangunk Ridge has given him the opportunity to explore and nurture his love for the outdoors and he will forever have a place in his heart for the ridge.

Mohonk Preserve Logo

Mohonk Preserve

In 1963 the Smiley Family helped create what is now known as the Mohonk Preserve, the largest non-profit private nature preserve in New York State. The mission of the Mohonk Preserve is to provide ongoing land protection and stewardship of the outlying lands to “preserve the beauty of the landscape and the integrity of the flora and fauna—with appropriate human use and enjoyment” as well as provide a continuation of conservation science and environmental education.

In partnership with members, supporters, and volunteers, the Preserve protects and manages over 8,000 acres of mountain ridges, forests, fields, streams, ponds, and other unique and beautiful places and welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually.

At the Preserve, you can enjoy scenic beauty, outdoor activities, and peace and quiet, all just 90 miles from New York City. Carriage roads and trails are perfect for hiking, running, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Proudly the home of “Gunks” climbing and bouldering, one of the most visited climbing destinations in North America. Learn more, become a member, or make a donation at www.mohonkpreserve.org.

Paul Huth

Paul Huth

Paul Huth brings nearly 50 years of natural and cultural history research on the Shawangunk Ridge, mostly concentrated at Mohonk and the surrounding Mohonk Preserve. He worked for 15 years with the Preserve’s first Director of Research, Daniel Smiley and his brother Keith Smiley, two founders of the Mohonk Trust in 1963. Paul followed Dan as the Preserve’s second Director of Research and served for over 20 years. Paul authored and co-authored over 100 Research Reports and published papers on a diversity of subjects, including the century old Mohonk Lake Cooperative Weather Station, where Dan and Paul both served as long-term Cooperative Observers for the National Weather Service. Paul’s decades of service insured the future of Dan’s science legacy, now being digitized, for future generations.

Miss Maybell and the Jazz Age Artistes

Miss Maybell

Miss Maybell is a one of a kind contralto singer, musician, and band leader specializing in a classic Vintage Jazz and Blues sound. Miss Maybell has played shows and festivals all around New England, the Mid-West, and in New York City and has been tremendously well received! Her music has also been featured on WMUR-TV an affiliate of ABC. New Hampshire Magazine notes that “Miss Maybell plays banjo and taps her steel brushes on a tricked-out washboard. She also commands an impressive kazoo, but the secret weapon they unleash is Maybell’s vocals — deep and strong enough to join an angel choir with the likes of Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday.”

When you visit during Hiker’s Holiday, your overnight package includes:

  • Three meals daily featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients from our farm-to-table partners. See our full list of dining options>
  • Access to more than 85 miles of scenic hiking trails
  • Yoga, Meditation, and Fitness classes
  • Afternoon tea and cookies in our historic Lake Lounge
  • Make an appointment to visit our Greenhouse
  • Indoor heated pool with underwater music
  • Guided hikes and outdoor activities with our Recreation team
  • Nightly evening entertainment, special events, and more! See activities schedule>

Seasonal Activities

À la carte experiences available to overnight guests:

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