Snow came early and often this year, transforming the Ridge into a winter playground for cross‑country skiers, snowshoers, fat bikers and winter birders alike. As snow continues to settle across the landscape to make way for spring, we hope you’ll get into nature, explore the trails and join us for upcoming public programs.

In this issue of Ridgelines, you’ll meet the dedicated ski community who fundraised new trail grooming equipment for the Preserve, hear from the spirited Garden Party Rock The Ridge Relay team, and learn about a promising new partnership advancing tick research in the Hudson Valley.

Thank you to everyone who supported us with a donation this season. Your generosity keeps this place thriving.

Smoother Ski Trails Ahead: Community Support Brings New Grooming Equipment to Mohonk Preserve

Thanks to an incredible outpouring of community support, Mohonk Preserve is now home to a brand‑new 84” Ginzu Groomer. The equipment is already making a noticeable difference on the southern side of the Preserve, grooming Overcliff and Trapps Roads. The Shawangunk Nordic Ski Association (SNSA) led the charge, rallying more than 70 donors in just one month, including the Salt Foundation Family, local businesses, and skiers from near and far.

Early in February, SNSA members and Mohonk Preserve staff gathered at the West Trapps trailhead to celebrate the arrival of the new groomer. The Ginzu Groomer, produced by Yellowstone Track Systems, is known for its durability and precision. Its adjustable cutting knives and heavy‑duty compaction mat help our grooming team create beautifully consistent corduroy and classic tracks, even when conditions are variable.

“We at SNSA are tremendously grateful to all who were willing and able to help support Nordic Skiing in our region, and to support Mohonk Preserve’s grooming efforts, by donating funds for this critical piece of equipment!” SNSA co‑founder Veronica O’Keefe Ruoff said. “It has been a gift to our community to have consistently outstanding ski conditions at Mohonk Preserve this season. With state-of-the-art grooming equipment at both West Trapps and Spring Farm Trailheads [and] a dedicated grooming team… this ski season has been truly extraordinary.”

SNSA president Mark Ruoff added, “The trails at West Trapps Trailhead constitute a critical junction in the Shawangunk Ridge Trail system, connecting Mohonk Preserve Trails with both Mohonk Mountain House and Minnewaska State Park Preserve. This winter, many skiers have reported traversing all the way from Sam’s Point Preserve to River-to-Ridge Trail!”

“We are incredibly grateful to SNSA and our generous supporters for making the new equipment possible and to our staff and amazing volunteers who get out there at all hours to provide us all with a great skiing experience,” said Mohonk Preserve President and CEO Kevin Case. “It’s been an outstanding winter, with more than 3,500 cross‑country skiers, the highest in recent years, and over 2,500 hikers, snowshoers and fat‑tire bikers visiting the Preserve this season.”

Behind every great ski season is a team of dedicated volunteers. With new signage and improved communication with the SNSA, our volunteers are helping visitors navigate the trails, learn about winter recreation and enjoy the Preserve safely and responsibly. This community of skiers’ enthusiasm and expertise have helped make this winter at Mohonk Preserve something truly special. Learn more about volunteering at the Preserve here: mohonkpreserve.org/volunteer/training

Julia Vogelsang, a XC Ski & Winter Activities Ambassador volunteer at Mohonk Preserve, shared her perspective: “I’ve had the privilege of cross-country skiing all over New York – from Lapland Lake to Mount Van Hoevenberg to Mohonk Preserve. All are great, but the views at Mohonk Preserve are unmatched! With the new equipment this year, grooming at Mohonk Preserve is also world-class.”

Plan your next visit and see updated trail conditions at mohonkpreserve.org/activities.

Join us for an end of season gathering on Friday, March 27 from 5-7pm at the Gardiner Brewing Company to say thank you, swap stories from the trails, and toast a tremendous season! Learn more & get your tickets here.

Meet the Rock The Ridge Relay Team That Keeps the Party Going Year-Round

It’s no secret that lifelong friendships develop and strengthen by participating in Rock The Ridge. Let’s meet the core members of the four-member Garden Party relay team, Leslie, Carisa and Maria, three friends who have made Rock The Ridge a defining tradition for the past four years. Their team’s name fits them perfectly: what started as just an idea to get outside more has blossomed into a year‑round celebration of personal growth and shared purpose. Whether they’re training together, hosting their annual pre-race barbeque in matching t-shirts, or gathering for post-race celebrations, Garden Party has found a way to keep the spirit of the event alive long after the finish-line.

For Garden Party, participating in Rock The Ridge is rooted in their love of the natural world. “I look forward to the different vistas and parts of the landscape,” said Maria. “Crossing the finish-line at the Testimonial Gateway is a landmark moment for me.”

“I never dreamed I would have the ability to do something like this.” said Leslie, “So, it’s been a tremendous shift in identity for me to be a part of this race, with this tremendous group of women, surrounded by the magic of the mountains that I call home.”

Just as powerful as their connection to the landscape is the camaraderie they’ve found through Rock The Ridge. “This race has deepened bonds between us within our little group of Garden Party racers, and it’s also rippled out into the larger community that’s been cheering us on. There’s a real sense of celebration among our families and friends, and it’s created a bridge between all of us in ways I didn’t expect,” said Leslie.

This journey has also opened doors to personal growth. “I was a competitive runner in high school, but I pushed my body too hard and hurt myself,” Carisa shared. “I hadn’t bought a pair of running shoes in almost 30 years, but something about joining this community of women, running this race at Mohonk Preserve and being out in nature felt like it could be healing. And it has been. It’s been lovely, restorative and a much‑needed mental health break for me.”

Training for the Garden Party relay team has grown over the years, but it has always been rooted in the idea of listening to your body and gradually building toward race day. “Our training has evolved from exclusively running in the early years to a healthier mix of things including yoga, strength training, dog walks, swimming and running,” said Carisa. “Maria and I also do a belly dance class together which helps build core strength.”

On race day, the team described being fueled by other runners and volunteers on the course. “Running alongside those who are completing the full 50 miles is such an inspiration,” said Maria. “And the volunteers are always great. They make such a huge difference in the whole experience. It’s amazing.”

“Doing this at that point in my life felt like a rediscovery,” added Carisa. “I’m becoming a new version of myself and choosing who I want to be as I move through the changes that come with age. It’s been a touchstone, a deeply grounding experience, and I’m finally feeling better in my body.”

Garden Party’s story is a reminder that Rock The Ridge is more than a race; it’s a way to find your community and an invitation to discover what you’re capable of. Registration for Rock The Ridge on Saturday, May 2 is open. Whether you find your own friends group and participate as a relay team, solo in the 50-mile ultra or the trail marathon, there’s a place for you on the Ridge!

Exploring Tick Ecology in Our Local Landscapes

“How many people here have had Lyme disease?” asked the speaker.
A few hands went up in the audience.

“How many people here have knowingly had a tick on them?”
This time, every hand went up. Ticks are a growing concern across the United States, and the Hudson Valley is no exception.

On Thursday, February 19th, Mohonk Preserve Associate Director of Conservation Science & Research Megan Napoli was joined by colleagues from Nature Health Global at the New Paltz Elting Memorial Library for an information session and discussion on ticks. The presentation featured Dr. Nichar Gregory, Infectious Disease Ecologist, and Dr. Peter Daszak, President of Nature Health Global, who opened the evening with a remarkable look back in time: a 99‑million‑year‑old deer tick preserved in amber. From there, the speakers traced the history of tick‑borne diseases and explored how shifts in land management and climate change are driving the expansion of ticks across the United States. In addition to offering practical tips for avoiding tick bites, the presentation highlighted findings from recent tick samplings conducted at Mohonk Preserve.

Last year, thanks to a grant from the Land Trust Alliance New York State Conservation Partnership Program, Mohonk Preserve partnered with Nature Health Global and Mianus River Gorge’s Director of Research and Education Dr. Chris Nagy, to co‑design community‑driven tick surveys. Together with volunteers, they performed tick drags using white canvas squares in key areas of Mohonk Preserve and Mianus River Gorge to map and record the number of ticks collected.

The sampling at Mohonk Preserve focused on fenced conservation areas where white‑tailed deer are excluded, as well as nearby unfenced areas to determine how deer influence tick abundance. While more data is needed to confirm a consistent pattern, early results indicate that areas accessible to deer tend to have a higher abundance of ticks. The only tick species collected from the forest was the black-legged tick, also commonly known as deer tick (Ixodes scapularis). This tracks with expectations, as deer ticks are more commonly found in forested areas, where dog ticks (Dermacentor variabilis) are more commonly found in open areas such as fields, roadsides and lawns. All results were built into an open-source Tick dashboard where anyone can view the data collected from both Mohonk Preserve and Mianus River Gorge.

This collaborative effort will help researchers better understand what factors drive tick abundance, including forest structure, host availability (such as white‑tailed deer), climate change and invasive species.

“Our long‑term vision is to produce fine‑scale maps showing the risk of tick exposure that can be applied across the Land Trust Alliance network and other natural areas,” said Megan. “Community engagement strengthens both research and the equitable access to information. Our hope is to continue tick monitoring at Mohonk Preserve through community science, forest and field tick surveys, and by encouraging the use of free, open‑source apps like iNaturalist and The Tick App to report observations.”

Click here to see a recording of the info session “Understanding Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases.” If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more about future tick initiatives at Mohonk Preserve, please reach out to research@mohonkpreserve.org.

Support the Preserve with Smart Giving

Mohonk Preserve’s long‑standing conservation work is made possible by the generosity of our community. As we look ahead to sustaining this landscape for future generations, we’re expanding our partnership with FreeWill to help supporters make tax-efficient, non‑cash gifts with ease.

Through FreeWill’s simple online tools, donors can make contributions through a variety of options, such as stock gifts, IRA charitable distributions, or Donor‑Advised Fund grants. These efficient giving methods help lower administrative costs, allowing more resources to directly support land protection, trail care, research, and education. We’re grateful to all who choose thoughtful ways to care for the Preserve.

Giving to protect the Preserve has always been a smart choice – now you can give in smart ways, too.

Seasonal Photo Gallery

View seasonal photographs by our volunteer photographers below!

See more photos by the Mohonk Preserve Volunteer Photographers on their Facebook page.

Bird’s Eye View of the Shawangunk Ridge Covered in Snow