Northeast Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Northeast Trail (blue blazes) picks up where Woodside Trail leaves off, just north of Mountain Rest Road. The trail traverses along the eastern edge of Guyot Hill and the golf course. The first intersection is where Bonticou Road (red blazes) tees in from the left.

The trail continues with magnificent views of Bonticou Crag appearing soon after passing Bonticou Road. Northeast Trail continues along the edge of the talus pile and through lightly wooded areas. It takes a right swing and ascends a small notch in Bonticou Crag. This notch requires a bit of scrambling and maybe two moves of climbing up with your hands. Most people in good shape wouldn't think twice about going up this. Coming down this notch is another story. Carefully down climb and be sure to have good footing prior to changing hand holds. From this point on, the trail travels along the eastern slope of the Shawangunk Ridge until it dead ends into Clearwater Road.

The trip along the ridge features incredible views, running along rock slabs, and through lightly wooded areas. Use caution when the rock is wet. From the dead end into Clearwater Road you can choose to return along the path you took, or turn left on Clearwater Road and link it up with Farm Road to get back to Spring Farm parking area. This is one of the more remote and less traveled parts of Mohonk Preserve.