Poke-O-Moonshine Trail is a 3.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Willsboro, New York that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
There are views towards the High Peaks and Lake Champlain from the summit. From the fire tower there are views towards the northern part of Lake Champlain and Plattsburgh. The cab of the fire tower is open during the summer months.
Parking is on Route 9 just south of the I-87 Exit 33 on/off ramp. The trailhead is in the back of the Poke-O-Moonshine campground but parking is on the side of the road.
April 12, 2021What an awesome adventure! amazing views! Check out Exploring With Dan! on YOUTUBE if you have any questions about this hike or a heads up to what to expect! Thanks! ENJOY!
April 10, 2021Beautiful well maintained trail. All snow and ice are gone. Very minimal mud & only in a few spots. Cabin to fire tower is locked but we could go all the way up the stairs — you get plenty of views without going into the fire tower at all though. Did see a few baby snakes in the first mile of the trail by the sunny rocks .. we aren’t snake people but they kept to themselves and seemed innocent enough.
April 8, 2021Great day, great trail! Very little mud, all snow and ice is long gone. It’s apparently turkey vulture season, lol, saw a whole wake of them (fun fact: a group of vultures is a wake).
March 27, 2021muddy at the bottom, icy toward the top. I put my spikes on halfway to the top. Beautiful and enjoyable!
March 22, 2021Beautiful 55° day. Climbed without micro spikes so took our time as to not fall. 4 hours round trip with a nice hot lunch at the summit. Took the observers trail met some amazing people along the way. In total saw about a dozen people.
March 21, 2021March 15, 2021March 6, 20213/6/2021 Cold and mostly cloudy day. Trail firmly packed. We used snowshoes. A couple of icy steep spots that micro spikes would have been more helpful. Beautiful views even with the partial clouds. Only saw 3 people on the trail.
March 5, 2021Great views! Went on a Thursday, only saw 2 other people. Snow was deep in some spots but we did fine in just spikes.
February 28, 2021As you may be aware, there are two trails to the summit of Poke-O-Moonshine, Observers Trail and Rangers trail. Two different parking areas also. We used the Rangers Trail (it was a nice trail) and only one icy area. Our MSR Lightening Ascent snowshoes did the trick. I used my butt on the icy part on the way down, my husband did not. The wind was over 50 mph on 2/27/21 and it rained but this is a beautiful mountain that we will do again. The trail was in great shape.
February 27, 2021Snowy Sunrise with Marianne. Marianne had 4.8 miles per Apple Watch?? Think it’s off a little I typically have 3.7
February 26, 2021Hard packed crunchy noisy trail. Used snowshoes up and back. One group going up had just micro spikes on and we’re doing OK. I would prefer the snow shoes to keep the trail in good condition because it’s getting warm out.
February 26, 2021First one on this trail in 5 days...wore snow shoes as snow was like flour in the sun...plus to save my legs on the way up.. Gotta love the heel lift! Very windy, but great views. I removed shoes and put on spikes in the very steep area, my shoes don't have the best teeth for stopping a slide. Haven't been here in 20yrs...cab to tower is closed. didn't go all the way up..big wind gusts. Round trip with lunch break and pics..3hours.
February 15, 2021spikes were needed. packed trail of course day before snow storm. steep and fun
February 13, 2021Packed trail, only needed spikes. Icy in some of the steeper sections. Prepare for some extreme butt sledding!
February 12, 2021Loved this trail. It definitely felt longer than 3.8 miles but I think that's because the ice & snow really slowed us down. Beginning is an immediate climb and then it levels out to very a do-able incline. Views were stunning!! Took about 3 hours with a break at the top for lunch.
February 7, 2021January 31, 2021Beautiful winter day! Clear blue sky, zero wind and probably between 10-15 degrees! Took an hour to summit to summit and about two hours total with time at the top for snacks and some pictures. Solo hike. Highly recommend microspikes. There are a few icy spots in the first half mile that are several inches thick and it would be very easy to slip without spikes. Trail is very well packed.
January 23, 2021Trail is well marked, nice and packed down. Recommend crampons a little slick in certain spots!! Beautiful views at the tower!
January 17, 2021Packed down well
January 17, 2021Just snowed last night and the trail was covered in snow and made it look so beautiful and it looks like a winter wonderland!
January 17, 2021Old trail through deep snow.
January 12, 2021Did this yesterday with friends and my pup. Incredible views from the top. Definitely need micro spikes or better yet real crampons. Some ice but trail is in great shape
January 10, 2021Great view at the top. Bring crampons!
