A Scenic Winter Snowshoeing Trek in New Paltz, NY
Roundtrip: 3 miles
Features: Scenic snowscapes, frozen ice formations
Difficulty Level: Easy
Get There: 41°44’22.6“N, 74°12’12.8“W
Nine miles west of New Paltz, NY, the Mohonk Preserve offers every type of winter activity imaginable. Coxing Kill (often referred to as Split Rock) is a sought after swimming hole in the summer and an easy, scenic three mile snowshoeing trek in the winter.
Before attempting to walk, hike or snowshoe over any frozen body of water, be sure that the ice is thick enough to hold your weight. Also, it’s a good idea to bring a buddy for outdoor explorations of any sort.
Photos and Words by Brianna Stachowski
“A rule I always follow is to bring a buddy. On winter hikes this is even more important because the conditions are less than forgiving.”
“I always feel at the mercy of mother nature when treading over ice. As a kid, going ice fishing with my dad, he always taught me 'Thick and blue, tried and true; Thin and crispy, way too risky.”
“Layers are my friend on any hike, but especially in the winter. Whenever I start to sweat, I begin removing layers and the more layers I have on, the easier it is to maintain a consistent body temperature.”
“Every season has its sound. My favorite might be the crunch snow makes as you walk through it.”
“There’s something extra special about hiking down Coxing Kill. It allows me to see the forest through the eyes of the river.”