AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
View across Mohonk Preserve with bench.jpg
Grendelkhan · CC BY-SA 3.0
Mohonk Preserve

Sky Top Viewpoint–Skytop, 8 lakes

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,110 ft · 2 hr 25 min

Sky Top Viewpoint–Skytop, 8 lakes is a 5.6-mile out-and-back in Mohonk Preserve near Butterville, NY. The route passes Duck Pond, Skytop Reservoir, Skytop Reservoir and 3 more before reaching Sky Top Viewpoint at the turnaround, 2.8 miles in. It climbs 1,110 ft, with sections as steep as 40% grade. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi453 – 1,536 ft · steepest grade: 40%6.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.76551, -74.12423
Nearest town Butterville, NY
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sky Top Viewpoint–Skytop, 8 lakes

5.6 mi · ▲ 1,110 ft · 2 hr 25 min

Elevation 454–1,536 ft

Out & Back · Mohonk Preserve

Trailhead: 41.76551, -74.12423

Weather Sep 8: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:20 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 1.3 miContinue straight onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading SW.
  3. 0.2 miSharp right onto Duck Pond Trail, heading SW.
  4. 0.2 miPass Duck Pond.
  5. 50 ftTurn right onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading NW.
  6. 50 ftTurn left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading NW.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading NW.
  8. 100 ftContinue straight onto Duck Pond Road, heading NW.
  9. 500 ftTurn left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading N.
  10. 0.7 miPass Skytop Reservoir.
  11. 50 ftBear right onto Forest Drive, heading NW.
  12. 50 ftBear left onto Birchen Trail, heading NW.
  13. 0.2 miPass Skytop Reservoir.
  14. 50 ftPass Mohonk Mountain House Property Beach.
  15. 50 ftPass Skytop.
  16. 100 ftTurn right onto The Labyrinth, heading SW.
  17. 50 ftBear right onto Sky Top Road, heading SW.
  18. 50 ftPass Vernal Pool.
  19. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  20. 350 ftReach Sky Top Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  21. 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
  22. 250 ftBear left onto The Labyrinth, heading NE.
  23. 50 ftTurn left onto Staircliff Path, heading N.
  24. 0.2 miBear right onto Forest Drive, heading SW.
  25. 50 ftBear left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading SW.
  26. 0.7 miTurn right onto Duck Pond Road, heading SE.
  27. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading SE.
  28. 100 ftContinue straight onto Duck Pond Trail, heading S.
  29. 50 ftTurn right onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading S.
  30. 50 ftTurn left onto Duck Pond Trail, heading S.
  31. 0.2 miSharp left onto Lower Duck Pond Road, heading SE.
  32. 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
  33. 1.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/sky-top-viewpoint-sky-top-viewpoint-out-back-11-lakes-9-km-3550

Trail surface

25% dirt22% gravel53% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:30 AMSunset 7:20 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~83 min). Leave by 5:37 PM for the 7:20 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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