Can't see the Forest for the fees ?

sam_hikes · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 383

Speaking of back East and huge fees if you're ever near the Catskills checkout this place... http://www.mohonk.com/

From what I saw the place has 80 miles of cool trails--I didn't get to see much of the trail stuff since I waved at the guard and thought it was free to enter the Park & Resort. (nothing was posted)

They wanted something like $25/person to hike here since it's a 5+ star resort with most of the people being rich people from NY city. Web site does mention its free for hotel guests and dinner guests so maybe hit the trail and get a meal.

Anyone here ever stayed, surveyed, or hiked on Mohonk Mtn? Place is even popular in the winter with tons of winter activities too--from what I've read.

sam_hikes · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Posts: 383

Additional info... found this using the low speed website connection for Mohonk Mtn Resort food ...

Day Meal Rates
Breakfast $29.00 - $32.00
Lunch $45.00 - $47.00
Dinner* $47.00 - $50.00
Reservations are required.
* Please note that during dinner, jackets are required for gentlemen age twelve and over, and for ladies, dresses, skirts or evening slacks.

Wow--- $30 for breakfast and upwards of $50 for lunch and or dinner.. That's some buffet probably found no where else or I want my money back!

BoyNhisDog · Posted: 2/3/2004, 4:41 pm Post subject:

I think where you find a lot of people they start charging fees. We had to pay a bunch just to backpack into Algonquin park in Ontario and then we had to stay in the exact area and a special site every night. You could not camp just anywhere in the park. If your permit said X lake on 8-21-02 then you had to be camping in an established site in that area. IIRC I had to give them about 50 bucks for our three night four day bit of fun. I do have to say the sites were gorgeous. A moose and her calf sloshed by in the morning darkness ten feet from our tent. The loons and otters were playing and the forest was so incredibly thick you could never have gone off trail like out here.

We still have it pretty free as of now but after a few more million come, I bet we start seeing some of that here.

I'm with Sunhiker. I'm just happy to be here in Arizona. I picked up a year pass for hiking the Sabino canyon area for 20 bucks. That's not bad for parking alone. We can get into that wonderful area in about 15 minutes from home so it's convenient.
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Hikngrl · Posted: 2/3/2004, 5:08 pm Post subject:

SUN_HIKER · Joined: 05 Dec 2003 Posts: 1057

Shawn · Posted: 2/3/2004, 7:30 pm Post subject:

At Moonhouse Ruin we encountered a Canadian couple and got to visiting about fees. He contrasted the US and Canada in that Canada gives "free" medical care but charges for recreation, and in the US recreation is almost free and health care is expensive and private. (Moonhouse is on public land managed by BLM, there are no fees there.) He advocated higher fees and more care for the public land sites. We discussed BLM v NPS and the FS, with BLM being quite primative, and unhearalded. Also, there is a sense of discovery on the unmapped and unadvertised BLM entrusted sites.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

maryphyl · Posted: 2/4/2004, 6:36 pm Post subject:

I am tired of the war so I guess I am no longer fighting very hard but I really hate all of the fees. I have written long pieces on other forums--perhaps on this one too. I have written to my legislators. I have written to the legislative committees that were holding hearings. A great many people agree with me but we seem to be getting nowhere. I really hate the government in business selling back to me what was mine already and not even blushing when they don't call it a tax.
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Shikekeh hozhoogo naasha.
I walk in beauty.