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.

By the numbers

The main trail, is around 3.2 miles long and gains around 1,300 feet of elevation. The Observers trail, located slightly further south on Rt. 9, is roughly 4.7 miles long and also gains approximately 1,300 feet of elevation.

Climbing on Poke-O Moonshine varies drastically. With cliffs ranging from 50 to 500 feet tall, and climbs ranging from easy single pitches to strenuous multi-pitches, this area has plenty to offer

Rock 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.

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.