Mohonk Preserve
Duck Pond–Skytop Reservoir, 6 sights
4.2 mi · ▲ 912 ft · 1 hr 51 min
Duck Pond–Skytop Reservoir, 6 sights is a 4.2-mile out-and-back in Mohonk Preserve near Mohonk Lake, NY. The route passes Skytop Reservoir before reaching Duck Pond at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It climbs 912 ft, with sections as steep as 39% grade, and is mostly gravel. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Duck Pond–Skytop Reservoir, 6 sights
4.2 mi · ▲ 912 ft · 1 hr 51 min
Elevation 601–1,206 ft
Out & Back · Mohonk Preserve
Trailhead: Rock Rift Road · 41.77707, -74.14415
Weather Sep 7: sunrise 6:29 AM · sunset 7:22 PM
- Start on Rock Rift Trail, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto North Lookout Road, heading NW.
- 250 ftSharp left onto Hemlock Lane, heading SE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Huguenot Drive, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Kleine Kill Rd., heading S.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Forest Drive, heading SW.
- 0.4 miPass Skytop Reservoir.
- 50 ftBear left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading SW.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Duck Pond Road, heading SE.
- 500 ftContinue straight onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading S.
- 100 ftReach Duck Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Duck Pond Road, heading S.
- 500 ftTurn left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miBear right onto Forest Drive, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn left onto Kleine Kill Rd., heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Huguenot Drive, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Hemlock Lane, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto North Lookout Road, heading NE.
- 200 ftTurn left onto Rock Rift Trail, heading NE.
- 450 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~11 min). Leave by 6:51 PM for the 7:22 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:42 PM — 8 min before dark. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
More from Rock Rift Road Trailhead
- Stokes Trail 3.2 mi · ▲ 724 ft
- Bonticou Road 4.1 mi · ▲ 405 ft
- Bonticou Road 4.3 mi · ▲ 439 ft
- Kleinekill Pool–Hemlock Lane, 7 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 1,013 ft
- Vernal Pool–Bonticou Road, 5 sights 5 mi · ▲ 415 ft
- Chapel Trail via Bonticou Road 6.1 mi · ▲ 782 ft
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Hikes near Mohonk Lake, New York