Chapter 680

Oct 25, 2024

Labyrinth Experience

walk like a crab

I completed the Mohonk Labyrinth rock scramble trail this week. A Hudson Valley hiking group describes it at this link. 

It was a major accomplishment for me as I wasn't sure I could do it. Sent the drone out from 2 miles away to get the following shots. Had to hike a few miles through the woods just to get to the trail start at the Mohonk Resort. I put in red dots to roughly indicate the path through the talus slabs of rock and on up through the crack in the cliff wall to the plateau. At the last dot you can barely see 2 youngsters who have just emerged from the crack.

This is part of the largest preserve in New York State.

They had just emerged from the crack about 10 feet behind them and began running across the rock plateau. I'd guess nearly 10 years old as they waived to me. Didn't see parents but did see another body emerging later as my drone battery was running out of juice. Whittier Summer House above with the Smiley Tower further on up.

As you approach the cliff the trail goes up the crack out of sight in the shadows till reaching the top. The kids are visible crouched down peering down the cliff. 

Emerging from the depths was exhilirating. I had a newlywed lady photo me to commemorate the event.

My main goal was to not get hurt. There were a hundred wasy to get injured but I took my time and hiked cautiously. Happy to have full clothing to cover my skin. Any small abrasion on rock causes me to bruise and bleed. Mostly used gloves. Only had a couple small bruises.

This last section, the so-called lemon squeeze was the most unnerving since you could barely turn your body around. Had to take off my slim back pack to navigate. Awkward trying to find a foothold or hand hold to launch forward and up. If you panicked or got stuck here it would be a difficult situation. The guy behind me was much skinnier and his wife was celebrating her 41st birthday. Colleen was home working but I had a good weather window opportunity to go solo.

This is the view on the way up from inside the crack separating the cliffs. A narrow ladder segment is far into the distance.

There were several ladder segments to make the vertical rise. 

Looking down at the beginning of the crack it was all boulder climbing up to that point.

Back near the beginning of the path you follow red markings for the easiest path thru the obstacle course. I used a gorilla tripod for some shots and a guy from Delaware volunteered to take some shots.

You go over under around and through various holes and caves and boulders. The majority of people there were Chinese. This guy from New Jersey.

It was not crowded on this weekday and I was taking my time letting some pass through. Everyone was exhilirated, laughing and having fun. I was still laughing waking up the next morning.

Coming around the bend into the sunshine, it was very beautiful and pleasant with temps in the 40s and 50s.

A pair of women from Taiwan scooted past being young, light weigh and nimble fully enjoying the experience shooting photos here.

It was a relief to finally get to the point of seeing the crack ahead for the final segment to the top. The  laddder sections were less grueling than struggling crawling on your belly or rear end or bracing arms and legs against boulders. A pole ahead indicated the off shoot if you wanted to disembark and take the Spring Path back toward the resort. In fact there were many off ramps if you wanted to bail out along the way.

Emerging at the plateau ending a nice panorama revealed itself. This is where the kids were in the first photos.

You thought the climb was over as you tired body relaxed, but there was still one more steep rock climb to get up to the little wooden summer houses and tower. But it was short. My truck was actually miles down the valley to the far left where the brown trees meet the green hay fields, but all down hill. Pine Road parking has only a $15 current charge for hiking the Mohonk Preserve.

There are 115 summer houses along their 85 miles of carriage roads.