An advanced-pace series of four local Fall hikes at Minnewaska State Park (PetersKill trailhead), featuring a mix of distance and effort. Moderate pace of 2 mph average on established foot-trails mostly. There are rocks and roots as well as some wet areas (depending on seasonal conditions). This area of the park has steeper hills than the main park but easily navigable at the right pace. For safety reasons, attendees are expected to stay together for the whole hike.

Planned hikes:

• Compass Rock (PetersKill): Compass Rock is a scenic vista that looks toward the Catskill Mountains to the west and Millbrook Mountain to the east. Some of the footing can be tricky, with bare soil, loose rocks, tree roots, and other obstacles.

• PetersKill (Yellow Trail) connects the High PetersKill Trail with the Red Loop Trail near the parking area. It parallels the picturesque stream amid hemlocks, rhododendron, and mountain laurel after passing an interesting cascade where the stream flows over slanted rock slabs.

• Whales Head – PetersKill: The High PetersKill trail features four significant viewpoints with panoramic views of Minnewaska and Mohonk. One spur trail, accessed via a short, yellow-blazed path off the main trail, pops out right on the edge of a cliff with stunning views of a heavily wooded valley with the Mohonk Sky Top Tower. The approach involves navigating exposed Shawangunk conglomerate slabs

• PetersKill (Blue Trail) The trail gains the ridge line and continues through a beautiful section of cliffs. It then descends steeply in places to reach the PetersKill. The PetersKill stream carved its unique streambed after centuries of erosion through one of the hardest rocks known: the Shawangunk quartz conglomerate. It begins on a well-graded carriage road but the second part follows narrow footpaths with some relatively steep descents and ascents.