Poke-O-Moonshine Day Use Area
44.401809, -73.502934
176 NYS Route 9N, Keeseville
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Poke-O Moonshine Mountain offers a huge a variety of activities for anyone looking for a place to spend the day, with an easy hike to the top, gorgeous swaths of rock for climbing, and plenty of wildlife, you're sure to find something at Poke-O.

How to get there

Located south of Keeseville on Rt. 9, the Poke-O-Moonshine trailhead is a good starting point for a number of activities.

Hiking

By the numbers

Ranger Trail (northern trailhead by closed campground)

  • Distance: 3.5 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 1,300 feet

Observer's Trail (southern trailhead)

  • Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 1,450 feet

Rock climbing and ice climbing

This area is known for being the greatest and most dense concentration of long multi-pitch routes in the Adirondacks. a spattering of climbs from below 5.6 all the way to hard 5.13 make this a suitable area for anyone with some climbing know-how. The area sticks to the general ethics of Adirondack Climbing, remaining mostly trad style climbing, but does have some harder sport climbs hidden around. We suggest picking up a copy of Adirondack Rock or another reliable guidebook for more detailed information on specific areas and climbs. Check out the rock climbing and ice climbing pages on Mountain Project for more information.

Birding

The rugged cliffs of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain are favorite nesting places of the local Peregrine Falcons. Climbing the cliffs is off-limits during nesting season. Check with the state Department of Environmental Conservation for climbing closures, as routes open as nesting sites are established and by late summer most routes are open again. Many climbers also volunteer to monitor falcon nesting sites in a citizen science collaboration with the DEC.

Also look for migrating hawks and lively flocks of ravens at this popular hiking and climbing destination.

An all-woman trail crew
A woman breaks up a stone with a large hammer
Trail crew workers hike the trail.
A person lifting a large rock
A new hiking trail with some hikers
A peregrine falcon taking off.
Phone Numbers
  1. (518) 597-4649
Websites
  1. www.dec.ny.gov
A peregrine falcon taking off. A new hiking trail with some hikers A person lifting a large rock Trail crew workers hike the trail. A woman breaks up a stone with a large hammer An all-woman trail crew

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