Peter’s Kill, Minnewaska

While I enjoy discovering new places, there are some that pull me back with a magnetic force so strong I cannot resist. Peter’s Kill is one of those places.

I hesitated to write this post, because lately, sharing this information leads people to these places. While most visitors are respectful, some have been littering and causing damage to my favorite trails. However, this particular place is being managed well by the Rangers, who are visiting often and removing delinquent parties.

That said… this hike is not super easy, so smaller children might have a difficult time. It is magical in many ways, but the bummer is that it’s downhill on the way there, and uphill on the way back! I usually pack some special snacks for the uphill portion of the hike.

Park in the Peter’s Kill lot at Minnewaska, and start down the red trail. You’re headed past rock climbers, down a narrow path through a meadow. You should see lots of butterflies and birds, and possibly some black rat snakes basking in the sun. Follow this path right down to the stream bed, and you will come to this storybook waterfall:

Once you catch your breath (this waterfall still steals my breath, and I’ve seen it many times,) you will follow the trail to the left.

Note: about 200′ up the stream, you will need to cross the stream to get to the other waterfall. Depending upon recent rainfalls, this stream can be quite full, and the mossy rocks can be TREACHEROUS. My son fell into a raging brook when he was 7, and it was terrifying. So, please proceed with caution!

Once you cross over the streambed, you will travel another few hundred feet before you arrive at the money spot.