Bonticou Crag Revisited

Bonticou Crag Loop at Mohohk
Mohonk Preserve
Shawangunk Mountains
Ulster Co.,
New York

Hiking Trails:
Cedar Trail: Red blaze
Bonticou Ascent Path: Yellow blaze
Northeast Trail: Blue blaze
Bonticou Path: Red blaze

Total Time: 1:45 Hours
Estimated Distance: 3 Miles
Level of Difficulty: Very difficult
Level of Recommendation: Highly Recommended

Points of Interest: Great views and great scramble
Cons: Entrance Fee

Hiking Partners:
Shimmy & Morty Rosenberg

I had been to Bonticou back in December, and realized back then that I have to make a trip in the future to cover some additional trails in the area. This trip was the one where I covered those other trails. As mentioned in my previous post, Bontincou Crag is an impressive rock cliff with a great scramble through the talus with exceptional views all around.

We parked in the Spring Farm parking area, and headed over to explore the Spring Farm. It looks like there is nothing that goes on here at this farmhouse, but that could be just because it was still winter. We walked up the hill to the gazebo by the million dollar view, where there is a nice plaque explaing the Catskills.

Right after the gazebo, the Cedar Trail can be picked, which crisscrosses together with the bike path in some points. We took the Cedar Trail until the end, going up the rocky ascent at the end of the trail. We then too the Bontincu Ascent Trail , which goes along the thin ridgeline of Bonticou until it reaches the fabulous full rock exposure and view at Bontincu Crag.

We spent some here taking some good pictures, and headed down the steep and difficult Bonticou Ascent path down the mountain. We then took the Northeast Trail, well, southwest until the Bonticou Path. We then took the Bonticou Path back to our cars at the trailhead.

Map of the Route. Shawangunk Trails Mohonk Preserve.

Me and Morty at the Beginning of the Hike

Me at the Million Dollar View Looking Towards the Catskills

Dry Meadow with the Catskill Mountains in the Distance

Information Plaque About the Catskills at the Million Dollar View

Me on the Boardwalk Part of the Cedar Trail

Me Atop Bonticou, Overlooking the Catskills

Me at Bonticou, with Morty Doing a Cartwheel Photobomb

Me Atop the Cliff at Bontincou

Me at the Cliff at Bonticou

Shimmy Sitting on the Rock at Bonticou

Morty on a Ledge at Bonticou

Shimmy Atop the Bonticou Rock

Shimmy & Morty Rosenberg

Shimmy & Morty Descending the Bonticou Ascent Path

Balancing Rock at the Bonticou Cliff

Shimmy Descending Bonticou

View of Person Atop Bonticou from the Bottom

Morty Taking a Run near the End of the Hike

View near the End of the Hike