Let’s explore Mohonk Preserve together! Now reforested, this area of the Shawangunk Mountains was once home to a small subsistence community that lived off the land. They raised livestock, carved millstone out of native rock, picked huckleberries, and harvested tree bark for leather tanning. Now, signs of this small community have mostly been swallowed up by nature, but some remain visible to keen eyes. We’ll start out on a carriage road, then make our way on a more rugged hiking trail. We’ll spend our day traversing the ridge, observing unique rock formations, beautiful views, and local wildlife. Let’s explore the wild together!

Have you ever wondered how you would do if you had to spend a night in the wild, and you brought nothing with you? On this day hike, we will be focusing on the foundational skills that can give you peace of mind, a feeling of self-reliance, and have the potential to save your life in any outdoor scenario. We’ll be hiking 4 miles through the gorgeous Black Rock Forest while covering the basics of shelter building, friction fire, water purification, wild edibles and medicinal plants, awareness, tracking, bird language, and much more. After this hike, you will have an understanding of what you need and how to procure it from almost any landscape.

Your Guide: Zach Fisher is a Primitive Technologist, Educator, Outdoor Guide, and Artist living in the Hudson Valley of New York. He has studied at Tom Brown Jr.’s Tracker School since 2010 and has taught with numerous organizations in the Northeast, West Coast, and the Caribbean. Additionally, he is the Co-Founder of Earth Living Skills (earthlivingskills.com), a registered NY State Guide, and a certified Wilderness First Responder. His goal as a teacher and guide is to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for our wild landscapes and the lives that they encompass. By sharing these experiences, we can shift not only our perspectives but also our relationship with the natural world.

Today, we’ll hike by the stone ruins of an old Catskill mansion and circle around a picturesque lake. We’ll then  begin the ascent of Mill Brook Ridge, one of the Catskills’ 100 highest peaks. After traversing the ridge, we’ll continue climbing to Balsam Lake Mountain. It is home to one of only 5 remaining fire towers in the Catskill Park. If you climb all the way to the top, you will have unparalleled, 360-degree views of the entire region!

Balsam Lake Mountain is a required peak for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #16 Catskill High Peak (elevation 3,729′).

Come with us on an adventure along lesser-known trails just an hour away from the city. Climb two mountains, then explore two lakes! From the very beginning of the day, we’ll be in an area steeped in history. We’ll climb a mountain named after a member of the infamous Claudius Smith Gang. A band of guerilla Loyalists, known as the ‘cowboys,’ they terrorized the New York countryside during the American Revolutionary War. We’ll spend the rest of the day navigating the rocky scrambles and the vast network of trails that will take us up another mountain and to two lakes. We’ll take our time to check out the views and look for local wildlife!

For multi-day trips, as a precaution, we ask that you get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days prior to the trip.

Looking for the ultimate challenge? You just found it. Welcome to the Great Range Traverse.

11 peaks (8 Adirondack 46’ers – peaks over 4,000′). 22 miles. Nearly 9,000 feet of elevation gain. This hike will challenge even the most seasoned and fit adventurers.

Adventure Untamed will be there throughout the day to give you the best chance of completing this intense traverse. We’ll set up a resupply point, so you don’t have to carry as much food and water. There will be bailout points, in case you decide that you are done for the day. We’ll be there every step of the way to support and guide you on your epic journey!

Don’t forget to look around! While many hikers choose this trip for its difficulty, the trail is also incredibly picturesque. You will see beautiful rock formations, climb down enormous rock slabs, sometimes with the use of cables built right into the mountain, and encounter gorgeous views from the crest.

Join us for an epic day in the mountains!

Day 1 (May 29th)

We’ll depart at 7:00 am, stopping for lunch on the road. After arriving at the campsite, we’ll set up camp, then do a short but picturesque hike to stretch our legs and see the peaks we’ll be hiking the next day. That evening, after dinner and a gear check, we’ll get a good night’s sleep before an early start.

Day 2 (May 30th)

It’s an alpine start! We’ll be up before dawn and, after a quick breakfast, hiking by 4:30 am. The early start will give us the best chance of completing the traverse. We’ll gain almost 4,000 feet in the first 4 miles. Once we are on the ridge, we’ll spend the day climbing from one peak to the next. We’ll scramble up slabs, descend down cables, and push ourselves to our limits. We’ll end, exhausted and proud, back at our campsite. We’ll eat dinner, relax by the fire, and reflect on the accomplishments of the day.

Day 3 (May 31st)

After a good night’s rest, we’ll eat breakfast and drive back to New York City.

Accommodations: individual tents in a campsite.

Meals: all meals provided except for food stop during the drive from NYC and back.

With a name like ‘Rattlesnake Swamp” who wouldn’t want to join this hike? Don’t let the name fool you! This unique hike in the Delaware Water Gap has the trifecta: a walk through a dense forest, a ridgetop hike with panoramic views, and an interesting swamp. The wetlands provide a sharp contrast to the dry environment along the Kittatinny Ridge and give life to plants and animals that thrive in this unique environment. We’ll also check out Catfish Pond for beaver activity and hike to the Catfish Firetower for a bird’s eye view of the area. And the best part? Despite the name, you are no more likely to run into a rattlesnake anywhere on this trail than in any of the surrounding areas!

The Escarpment Trail traverses the northeasternmost ridge of the Catskill Mountains. Today, we’ll hike its beautiful northern half. On this lip of stone above the Hudson River Valley, we’ll reach the highest point of the hike at the summit of Blackhead Mountain . Then, it’s onto the next three peaks: Acra Point, Burnt Knob, and Windham High Peak. This challenging terrain is home to mixed hardwood forests and swift-flowing creeks, and features a fair amount of steep rock scrambles. These are the fabled mountains where Rip Van Winkle slept, and after today’s adventure you too may be ready for a 20-year nap!

Want to try hiking the full Escarpment trail in one day? Check out our trip on July 17th!

Blackhead and Windham High Peak are required peaks for Catskill 3500 Club Membership and #5 and #33 Catskill High Peaks (elevation 3,941′ and 3,525′).

Spend the day away from the hustle and bustle of the City and immerse yourself in nature as our guide leads you on a mindful hike through the forest.  Focus on the moment and find a new appreciation for the sights, sounds, and smells of nature, as you take care of your mind, body, and spirit. We’ll stop for guided meditation and learn more about the plants and animals that call the forest home.

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