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Sunday, January 29, 2012

Mohonk Preserve: Duck Pond and Eagle Cliff

Definitely not the worst approach to a trailhead

Mohonk tower from Duck Pond

No snakes on this day!

Summer house at top of Duck Pond Trail

Mohonk Lake

Winter!

The tower rising above the lake

The Mohonk Lake and Hotel from Eagle Cliff

A lovely chalet!

Below the tower and to the right you can make out the crevasse  that the  Lemon Squeeze goes through

A good spot to just chill

Vouchsafed?  But, I'll agree anyway

Eagle Cliff afforded views of the lake, hotel and tower

It got a bit windy up there

The Central Catskills definitely have snow

Looking towards Gertrude's Nose

Passed some fields on the way down

Lots of options at Mohonk: carriage trails, trails and scrambles

Sunshot

More lovely fields on the way down

Mohonk not only records precipitation, it monitors earthquakes

Duck Pond



Getting some ideas from 50 Hikes in the Hudson Valley, I ventured to the Mohonk Preserve to check out Duck Pond and a rock scramble to the tower.  Unfortunately the rock scramble would be out of the question since the trail is closed for the season.  I still was able to head to Duck Pond and went to Eagle Hill instead.

Mohonk is truly a special place.  I plan to finally become a member to avoid the $12 daily pass.  The views are stunning.  Plenty of great views of the tower from Duck Pond and Eagle Hill.  The previous day I saw no snow.  What a difference 500 feet elevation and 50 miles north makes.  Plenty of ice to contend with, but Stabilicers were unnecessary.  Mohonk Lake was frozen solid despite the thaw.  It was pretty cool seeing the reflections off the lake.  I'd love to walk across the lake under a full moon.

3 comments:

  1. I agree that Mohonk is a great place - even though I have not visited much. That will have to change. Still want to go to Awosting Falls. My plans to go there did not materialize last time I planned to go. Once again, your sunshots are great!!!

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  2. You lucky fuck. I'm so envious. Gunks are one of the most beautiful places anywhere on dis here earf. Who did you hike with? Or did you manage to take those photos solo? You buy a little gorilla pod? I hear snow may be on the way from the storm which dumped on Colorado. I miss shoveling snow.

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  3. It's nice to know that there is a little bit of winter happening somewhere!!!!!!!!!!

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