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Gardiner / High Falls, New York

Mohonk Preserve Winter Trails

Two practical starts for Shawangunk carriage-road skiing: West Trapps and Spring Farm. Snow-dependent grooming, separate multi-use roads and clear winter restrictions determine the trip.

Check the trail report ↗Open the trail map ↗
West Trapps
3700 Route 55, Gardiner
Spring Farm
50 Upper 27 Knolls Road, High Falls
Access
Preserve day pass or membership
Equipment
Arrange offsite; no Preserve rentals

Use the northern and southern winter maps with the Preserve’s current ski guidance. Mohonk Preserve, Mohonk Mountain House and Minnewaska State Park have adjoining routes but different admission and service arrangements.

Trails & terrain

At West Trapps, grooming may prepare Overcliff for skiing and snowshoeing, while Trapps Road is a multi-use route and Undercliff remains ungroomed multi-use terrain. At Spring Farm, Spring Farm Road, Cedar Drive and Bonticou Road may be prepared. The two-sided winter map separates these uses and shows Preserve versus neighboring property. Grooming depends on snow, staffing and partner support; the entire carriage-road network is not one prepared ski circuit.

Preserve current winter-use distinctions, admission, rentals and partner guidance ↗ · Exact current operator-linked northern and southern winter activity maps ↗

Lessons & getting started

The operator suggests a shorter easy Spring Farm Road and Cedar Drive outing, about 1.7 miles round-trip, and a moderate Bonticou variation. Its longer West Trapps Overcliff/Undercliff loop combines different surfaces, including ungroomed terrain. Choose a route suited to your skills and confirm it with a trailhead ranger. These self-guided suggestions do not establish daily lessons, a staffed ski school or instruction included with the Preserve pass.

Operator ability-based ski suggestions and round-trip route lengths ↗ · Preserve current winter-use distinctions, admission, rentals and partner guidance ↗ · Exact current operator-linked northern and southern winter activity maps ↗

Rentals & equipment

Mohonk Preserve explicitly has no onsite equipment rentals. Bring skis or arrange hire before travelling; its ski guidance points to nearby outdoor shops, whose availability needs a separate check. Restroom symbols and neighboring resort buildings on the winter map do not make the Preserve a full-service Nordic lodge. Any lodging, meals, rental or instruction package at Mohonk Mountain House is a separate arrangement from ordinary Preserve trail access.

Preserve current winter-use distinctions, admission, rentals and partner guidance ↗ · Exact current operator-linked northern and southern winter activity maps ↗

Arrival & parking

For West Trapps, use 3700 Route 55 in Gardiner, beyond the Preserve Visitor Center on Route 44-55. Spring Farm uses 50 Upper 27 Knolls Road in High Falls, approached from Mountain Rest Road. The Visitor Center and East Trapps Connector are different starts; the connector involves strenuous stone steps and should not be treated as an interchangeable ski approach. Winter lots remain closed until plowing staff consider them safe, so confirm access before driving to either trailhead.

Exact West Trapps and Spring Farm addresses, directions and distinct Visitor Center approach ↗ · Preserve current winter-use distinctions, admission, rentals and partner guidance ↗ · Exact current operator-linked northern and southern winter activity maps ↗

Passes & trail etiquette

A Preserve day pass or membership is required. Stop with trailhead rangers for current route and surface restrictions. Keep walkers and pets off restricted groomed routes, use snowshoes or skis where required and protect classic tracks in shared areas. Connections toward Mohonk Mountain House do not include resort services, and Minnewaska charges a separate ski fee on its property. The Preserve page’s previous-season grooming notice is dated information, not a current opening forecast.

Preserve current winter-use distinctions, admission, rentals and partner guidance ↗ · Exact current operator-linked northern and southern winter activity maps ↗ · Exact West Trapps and Spring Farm addresses, directions and distinct Visitor Center approach ↗

Official planning resources

Reviewed . Confirm current passes, services and access rules with the operator before travel.

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