The Gunks

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General Information

The Mohonk House

The Shawangunk Ridge (pronounced Shongum, but most commonly called the Gunks) is privately owned land that provides climbing, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and running to members and visitors. The land managed by the Mohonk Preserve is over 5000 acres and growing.

The Mohonk Mountain House is a beautiful resort where guests can hike, go horseback riding, and enjoy many other activities in the area. Climbing is not permitted at the Skytop cliffs near the Mountain House.

Because this is private land, a small fee is required for admittance. The fee is collected by a ranger in a truck along the carriage road, or at the gate to the Mohonk Mountain House (higher fee for this area). If no ranger is around, there is a fee box near the entrance. The fees help provide for preserving the land, paying the rangers (who also rescue injured climbers), and for maintained outhouses, among many other expenses. An annual membership allows entrance at any time during that year. We find that if you are going to climb at the Gunks for five weekends or more during the year, the annual membership is worth the cost. If you have an annual pass, you must still pay $2 per person to hike in the Mohonk House Area (Skytop) when you park at that visitors parking. For a much longer (and cheaper walk) you can begin hiking from the Trapps Parking area (labeled on map below).

Places to Eat

New Paltz

There are places to eat in New Paltz (intersection of Rtes. 299, 32 and 208 on map below) which is only several miles from the ridge. We enjoy Bacchus, which costs a bit more than other local restaurants, but has a nice salad bar as well as good portions of tasty food, with the exception of lunch where they offer "moderate" (skimpy) portions. We were still hungry after our meal. For excellent Italian food at moderate prices, try La Stazione which is a converted train station which boasts an intimate atmosphere of only a dozen tables. It is located behind the Gilded Otter next to the bridge where 299 crosses the river on the edge of town. The Bistro is a nice restaurant featuring many healthy vegetarian meals, burgers, chicken and fish. We are still disappointed that they discontinued our favorite appetizer (fired artichoke hearts), but they continue to offer interesting specials and some creative recipes.

High Falls

In the town of High Falls (on Rte 213 on map below), there is a restaurant called the Egg's Nest which is wonderful and strange and requires a jacket or blanket in the summer because of the all-too-powerful air conditioning. The Egg's Nest does not accept credit cards. The Clove Cafe is across the street. We have not tried this restaurant yet, but it seems to be popular.

Map

Map copied from Mohonk Preserve membership renewal form.

The Weather

Current Weather

We go to gunks.com current weather reports.

Monthly Historical Averages

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

High (F) 33 36 47 59 71 79 84 82 74 63 51 38

Low (F) 14 16 26 36 46 55 61 59 51 39 32 20

Precipitation (in) 2.71 2.56 3.10 3.49 4.33 3.81 3.94 3.60 3.40 3.08 3.61 3.09

Phone Numbers and Email Addresses

Mohonk Preserve 914 255-0919

Mohonk Mountain House 914 255-1000

Minnewaska State Park Reserve 914 255-0752

Gunks Mountain Bike Association 914 691-8201 gumba@yahoo.com

Rock and Snow (climbing shop) 914 255-1311

High Angle Adventures, Inc.
(climbing guide service) 800 777-CLIMB (-2546)
914 658-9811 JR777Climb@aol.com

Weather Phone 914 331-1494

Other Area Attractions

When you go out for a week of climbing and it rains, there are other activities in the area. Here are a few.

Shawangunk Wine Trail some local, some further

Delaware & Hudson Canal Museum about 7 miles from the visitor's center in High Falls

Howe Caverns and area attractions about 100 miles from New Paltz

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High (F)	33	36	47	59	71	79	84	82	74	63	51	38
Low (F)	14	16	26	36	46	55	61	59	51	39	32	20
Precipitation (in)	2.71	2.56	3.10	3.49	4.33	3.81	3.94	3.60	3.40	3.08	3.61	3.09

Mohonk Preserve	914 255-0919
Mohonk Mountain House	914 255-1000
Minnewaska State Park Reserve	914 255-0752
Gunks Mountain Bike Association	914 691-8201	gumba@yahoo.com
Rock and Snow (climbing shop)	914 255-1311
High Angle Adventures, Inc. (climbing guide service)	800 777-CLIMB (-2546) 914 658-9811	JR777Climb@aol.com
Weather Phone	914 331-1494

Shawangunk Wine Trail	some local, some further
Delaware & Hudson Canal Museum	about 7 miles from the visitor's center in High Falls
Howe Caverns and area attractions	about 100 miles from New Paltz