Vernal Pool–Cedar Drive Loop, 4 sights
13.4 mi · ▲ 1,067 ft · 5 hr
Vernal Pool–Cedar Drive Loop, 4 sights is a 13.4-mile out-and-back in Mohonk Preserve near New Paltz, NY. The route reaches Vernal Pool at the turnaround, 6.6 miles in. It climbs 1,067 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 47/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Vernal Pool–Cedar Drive Loop, 4 sights
13.4 mi · ▲ 1,067 ft · 5 hr
Elevation 172–946 ft
Out & Back · Mohonk Preserve
Trailhead: Wallkill Valley Rail Trail · 41.76144, -74.08339
Weather Sep 8: sunrise 6:30 AM · sunset 7:20 PM
Transit-accessible: stop 151 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, heading N.
- 3.8 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading N.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Northeast Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Cedar Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Cedar Drive, heading N.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Cedar Drive Loop, heading NE.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Ski Loop, heading NE.
- 300 ftReach Vernal Pool, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Cedar Drive Loop, heading E.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Cedar Drive, heading E.
- 400 ftBear left onto Cedar Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Northeast Trail, heading SE.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.9 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Wallkill Valley Rail Trail, heading E.
- 3.7 miArrive 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 5.8 mi in (~163 min). Leave by 4:17 PM for the 7:20 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:58 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: stop 151 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Wallkill Valley Rail Trail Trailhead
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 13.2 mi · ▲ 444 ft
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 13 mi · ▲ 472 ft
- White Dot & Flooded Mine via Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 13.2 mi · ▲ 444 ft
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 13.2 mi · ▲ 846 ft
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 11.1 mi · ▲ 572 ft
- Wallkill Valley Rail Trail 13.1 mi · ▲ 841 ft
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