Just came back from a late fall day of climbing with Bobby from High-Xposure. Wow this experience…read moreblew my mind. The idea of rock climbing was something I always had in the back of my mind, like it would be cool, but it never seemed accessible. Bobby got me to a place where I was game to try a big vertical climb. Something I would have walked by 100x thinking no way can I ever... Well I DID, and I am awestruck. I'm hooked! Can't wait for next season.

I grew up climbing the Gunks and wanted to surprise my husband with a guided trip for his birthday…read more High Xposure did not disappoint! The owner, Bobby, was personable and friendly from start to finish; very down to earth. He hooked us up with Oliver, one of his guides, who did a great job of keeping things moving, and selecting some classic routes for us. He even went so far as to share some delicious local jerky with us. We really enjoyed the time together and felt like he catered the experience to our skill level appropriately. We also appreciated how prompt he was, and that he was mindful of ways to ensure we hit numerous climbs, even if routes might've already been taken by others. We would definitely recommend High Xposure to newcomers and seasoned climbers alike!

Great first experience at this spot: friendly and helpful staff, good facility…read more We went as a group of 3 with the $90 staff belay option. This is a good option for beginners and if you just want to start climbing and not worry about learning belaying. Anna was so supportive and helpful. The staff member helping you really does make or break the experience. We were given the harness to step into as well as shoes that should fit snugly. Then we started at the beginner wall to get our feet wet. We moved on to a few other walls, one with an automatic belay. The climbs are marked by difficulty level so a 5.8 is harder than a 5.5, for example, based on ease, size of the holds. You follow the color of your climb basically. We all got a good workout. An hour is good because you need to rest in between climbs usually. Perhaps the instruction option for 5 people would give you more techniques but this was fine for us. The space isn't that big but we didn't feel cramped. However if it was crowded you probably would have to wait. But no problems today on a Sunday at 11:30 am. If you have workout gloves they'd probably help with callouses on the hands. We didn't try the regular free climbs. There's cubbies to put your shoes and bags and lockers in the bathroom if you have a lock. I wouldn't want to bring anything valuable in there because there's a lot going on and someone intent on mischief could have a field day... hopefully not though! They seem to offer membership options and events. No issues parking. I would come back!

It's great to have a gym on this side of the river, not only boulder/scramble but also belay. There…read moreare even some pulley systems to self belay if you don't have a buddy. Safety is #1 here, the paperwork as a first timer and the orientation was *extensive*, so carve out 10 minutes for that. They do test you on belay abilities before they let you belay someone, which includes tying knots to the harness and carabiners. If you don't pass, you can't belay someone else but you can still use the self pulley belays. There are spots to chill and regain grip strength, and the gym is pretty clean. Staff were helpful. One star less because they do not have half sizes for shoes. It motivates you to get your own but for those just getting into this sport and wanting to keep the investment to a minimum until you decide, it's not comfortable. It's a gym in the area so I'll take it. I went for a holiday deal for the day pass was $16 and shoes were $4, and they do charge for rental chalk. I honestly wouldn't go for any other pricing, so I'll be looking out for the deals to return again.

I made a yelp account just for this review. Communication with Doug (the owner) was incredibly…read moreresponsive from Day 1 - he helped pick our preferred day based on our group size and (limited) climbing ability. Teddy guided us on the Gunks for a full beginner's day and was a perfect fit with our group. He was professional, very safe, and incredibly funny. He spent more time with our less experienced climbers and let the more seasoned climbers enjoy themselves. Teddy had great insight to climbing and inspired all of us to try top rope / lead anchor more. I will book Teddy again if I climb in the area. (Also, I think Mountain Skills is the lowest cost of the gunks guides - about $175/person down to $130 with more people)

Last week, we went rock climbing in the Gunks with Mark and Ed from Mountain Skills Climbing…read more(https://www.mountainskills.biz/)--my grand-nieces (ages 15, 12, 8, and 5) and their dad, my nephew, joined the adventure. Mark and Ed were absolutely amazing! With such a wide range of ages, skill levels, and comfort zones, they navigated it all seamlessly, thanks to Mark and Ed. Their patience, kindness, and deep knowledge made a huge difference--they knew exactly when to encourage and when to hold back. Everyone had a great time, even our youngest, who was a bit hesitant at first but felt proud and happy afterward. The older girls each pushed past their comfort zones, and their dad was able to set an inspiring example by challenging himself alongside them. It was an incredible experience for all of us--I can't say enough good things about it!

Great trail maintenance, accurate mapping, crystal clear water - I was impressed. We will return.read more

I made my Gunks debut yesterday and was pretty impressed despite the very meh weather situation…read more This is about 90 minutes from my HQ so probably right at the limit of a convenient day hike, and somehow I've never really been in this area before beyond travelling past it going up and down the NY Thruway. Definitely returning when the sun is actually out. I did the 8.7-mile Castle Point hike (my gut says it wasn't QUITE that long, but I don't want to argue with my book) from the Awosting parking lot down the Mossy Glen Trail (yellow blazes), making a left onto and up Blueberry Run (blue) to Castle Point itself, and then went basically straight down the cliff on the Scenic Trail (lavenderish and formerly light blue), down the Rainbow Falls Trail (orange) and finally making a right on the Lower Awosting Carriageway back to the parking lot. Wasn't crazy about the $10 fee to park - nature shouldn't cost anything - but it is what it is. It's really a shame the weather was crappy because I could tell that viewpoint at Castle Point is legit - it's sprawling and you can see for miles in almost every direction. That's a very cool spot and easily the highlight of the hike. There are some interesting viewpoints throughout the rest of the adventure, but I'd say they're primarily of rock formations and water features, which have their selling points but nothing beats a view at the top. I'm in decent hiking shape right now, and this was just not particularly challenging for me. The only part where I was even a little out of breath (and it was humid, so grain of salt in that regard) was on Blueberry Run, which was a pretty steady incline up, but really not hardcore at all from my perspective. The drop down from Castle Point on the Scenic Trail IS a little tricky and you really want to spend some time there figuring out where your foot is going to go next. Compared to other parks in the tristate area, this one definitely has more hazards, cliffs you could potentially fall down, etc. But same token, it has a ton of these completely flat carriageways as well. It rained while I was on the Rainbow Falls trail and I DID slip/fall on some of the rocks at one point, but that's on me since I willingly came over here knowing what the forecast was. Wasn't impressed by the Rainbow Falls themselves, and neither were the other hikers who were there at the time. Maybe it was just not an ideal situation for them, but it's been rainy the last few days so unclear when you should take advantage of the optics there. The trail blazes were EXCELLENT, easily some of the best I've ever encountered. Each official trail had an accompanying sign that not only gave you the name of the trail, but a map of the nearby area, the grade profile so you can see what types of inclines/declines you'll experience on that trail and tons of basic facts. Really well done stuff. The bathroom situation was pretty good as well, with ample restroom options in the parking lot albeit without plumbing. You get what you get, but I'll take a clean bathroom situation in a heartbeat, regardless. Okay wildlife sightings. The rain I'm sure kept some of the good quality shizzle away, but I got a cool shot of a black vulture and saw an edgy newt. Worth the trek and will return for further investigation shortly.

My go to climbing location for almost 20 years! A great location with a variety of route setting…read moreand space for training.

Amazing experience. Shout out to Cynthia who was so patient and knowledgeable. Assisted a 14 yr and…read more49 yr at the same time. Made us feel competent and safe. Can't wait to go again.

Love this gym, and especially the pool and sauna. Four stars because I wish they had longer hours…read moreon weekends.

Just putting this out there so people know that the Kilpatrick Athletic Center is OPEN for buisness…read more!! They offer outdoor Tennis and Pickleball. Also have squash and racquetball courts indoor. There is also a weight room with various equipment, A pool with open lap swimming and pool classes,etc. Fitness classes are happening also.. CHECK IT OUT!!

ETA: I have since learned that the $35 is to park at the mountain house which is apparently more…read moreexpensive than parking at the preserve. :)

New Paltz / Gardiner, NY - I have hiked and biked through the Mohonk Preserve many a times over the…read moreyears, in all seasons, and it is one of my favorite wild places! Some of the trails I love the most are the Bonticrou Crag & Table Rocks (breathtaking views; the rock scramble is fun and challenging but there is an easier way up via the Bonticou ascent path), Labyrinth & Lemon Squeeze, and Sky Top Trail by the Mohonk Mountain House. On weekends and in the warmer seasons/good weather especially, the parking lots fill up early (like by 8:30-9am). There are 5 main trailheads, and the day use fee is at current writing $15 for hikers or $20 for cyclists/climbers/horseback riders (children 15 & under are free). At the heart of the preserve lies the Mohonk Mountain House, which is actually a private property. The area around the mountain house is amazing but unfortunately it is rather arduous to visit for many due to the parking lot distance, as it's a bit of a hike in from the preserve's trailheads (pleasant & easy, but about 4.5 miles in so that's ~9 miles roundtrip), unless you're a paying guest at this all-inclusive resort property and are allowed to park in the on-site lot. I've done it both the hard & easy ways, so to avoid sweat if not tears, I'll let my Yelp community in on some hacks of less strenuous ways to see the mountain house and its surroundings (short of paying $1Kpp as an overnight guest)... 1. $ - You can buy a $35 hiking day pass, to park at the "closer" parking lot at the Gatehouse, which is still 2.1 miles out from the mountain house (4.2 miles roundtrip, but better than 9 miles). 2. $$$ - Be a day guest and book a dining or spa experience at the property, and you can park on site. 3. $ - Visit during their special annual events like the gingerbread house competition in December or the tulip festival in April-May, passes for which are a much more affordable $15-$35 (2025 rates). This allows you to park at the mountain house and not have to hike in. So there! Mohonk Preserve is one of the most beautiful places in the Hudson Valley, with so much incredible scenery (including fall foliage!) and things to do - hiking, biking, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, row boating, and even a via ferrata though that's only for hotel guests - and is a dream for outdoor lovers!