Mountain Project Logo

Gunks MUA scheduled to close?

Original Post
Matty1985 · · Philadelphia · Joined Aug 2012 · Points: 75

I just heard the Gunks MUA is scheduled to close May 2. This is from Gunks Climbers Coalition's facebook page. Wondering if anyone else had any more info.

Emmett Lyman · · Stoneham, MA (Boston burbs) · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 480

Oh god I hope not - the AAC campground leaves a whole lot to be desired.

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,492

Alas, t'is true. Closing May 3rd.

Kyle Ondy · · Somerset, NJ · Joined Sep 2015 · Points: 5

So what is the status of off season camping now? I spent some winter weekends at the mua this past winter.

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616

Here's the post for reference:

facebook.com/gunksclimbers/…

Everyone knew it was coming. Just a matter of when.

Michael Spiesbach · · Boulder, CO · Joined May 2014 · Points: 105

Is the preserve going to keep turning a blind eye to crashing in the back of the car in the parking lot or am I going to start getting hassled like I'm in the Valley. Heat seaking goggles for the cops?

I was there last weekend probably about 10 cars crashed out there overnight cops rolled through but didn't bother anyone..

Eric G. · · Saratoga Springs, NY · Joined Apr 2012 · Points: 70

The end of an era.

What a shame.

Tylerpratt · · Litchfield, Connecticut · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 40

Walmart lets you sleep in your vehicle in their parking lots. I can only hope that the preserve we pay to be a member of will allow us to sleep in our vehicles. As long as we stay in the vehicles.

Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

Thats a bummer... is there still a low cost option, slime?

Tylerpratt · · Litchfield, Connecticut · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 40

Slime is already closed. The new campground is 38 for non members and I think 24 for members for two tent sites max 4 people and one parking spot per night. That's now the "low cost" option. That's the really shitty thing about this. I really see the one parking spot per sight rule at the new campground being a big problem. Where in the hell is everyone that doesn't live together going to park their vehicles? I hope there is a commuter lot nearby?? But, who really wants to park a car full of gear at a commuter lot overnight...

Jon Frisby · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 270

Time to bust out the 10-man tents!

Tylerpratt · · Litchfield, Connecticut · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 40

That was my first thought until I read they only allow four people per sight. Maybe they make exceptions for couples with three children though? lol

Jon Frisby · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2013 · Points: 270

I've met the manager. He seems cool - I like the idea of supporting him/the Club, but I really want a free place to sleep the 2-3 nights a week I'm up there AND actually build a fire.

MojoMonkey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2009 · Points: 66

Disappointing to lose another camping option :(

Emmett Lyman · · Stoneham, MA (Boston burbs) · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 480
Tylerpratt wrote:Slime is already closed. The new campground is 38 for non members and I think 24 for members for two tent sites max 4 people and one parking spot per night. That's now the "low cost" option. That's the really shitty thing about this. I really see the one parking spot per sight rule at the new campground being a big problem. Where in the hell is everyone that doesn't live together going to park their vehicles? I hope there is a commuter lot nearby?? But, who really wants to park a car full of gear at a commuter lot overnight...
Yeah, the parking is really a problem, and the tiny sites are just terrible. Another troubling thing that's easy to overlook is the zero-tolerance cancellation policy within a week. You have to make reservations months in advance to have a chance on a busy weekend, and then if it gets rained out you can't even get a refund. The arrangement just sucks - I hope it's all growing pains and they're able to improve over time, but somehow I'm not too optimistic.
Caz Drach · · C'Wood, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 310
Tylerpratt wrote:Slime is already closed. The new campground is 38 for non members and I think 24 for members for two tent sites max 4 people and one parking spot per night. That's now the "low cost" option. That's the really shitty thing about this. I really see the one parking spot per sight rule at the new campground being a big problem. Where in the hell is everyone that doesn't live together going to park their vehicles? I hope there is a commuter lot nearby?? But, who really wants to park a car full of gear at a commuter lot overnight...
Atop of that its an additional 12 bucks to part another car at the AAC...robbery.

I honestly dont care for the AAC, it is mismanaged and overpriced...lights out at 10...
Caz Drach · · C'Wood, UT · Joined Jun 2013 · Points: 310
Morgan Patterson wrote:Thats a bummer... is there still a low cost option, slime?
Creekview...20+ minutes away...

It can be a little wet / buggy - 10 bucks a night i think?
Morgan Patterson · · NH · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 8,945

seems like yet another nail in the coffin for what was 'great' about the gunks in my life...

I stopped climbing there regularly years ago but this money grab really seems like it went in the wrong direction for now... rather than increasing access it has decreased it and raised the standard to people willing to pay $$$.

Kevin Heckeler · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Jul 2010 · Points: 1,616
Morgan Patterson wrote:seems like yet another nail in the coffin for what was 'great' about the gunks in my life... I stopped climbing there regularly years ago but this money grab really seems like it went in the wrong direction for now... rather than increasing access it has decreased it and raised the standard to people willing to pay $$$.
Cleaning up/pushing out the riff-raff. ;)
jdrago · · Rosendale, NY · Joined Apr 2013 · Points: 20

Actually you don't have to make reservations months in advance. Usually fills up a few days in advance for a weekend. There are also 20 spots that you cannot reserve ahead of time so it is a first come first serve basis. If you do not have a reservation and you miss out on the first 20 open sites then yes you are out of luck. Parking is an issue but there is not much you can do about it except pave a bigger parking lot? If anyone looked at the MUA parking lot at the end of a long weekend there was always half a 10 yard dumpster of trash left behind in a carry in carry out area. It is not surprising the state had gotten tired of cleaning it up. It is sad that the actions of a few ruined a free place to crash. In regards to the lack of campfires that is a Town of Gardiner Issue and there isn't anything the campground can change unfortunately.

Luc-514 · · Montreal, QC · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 12,506
Tylerpratt wrote:Slime is already closed. The new campground is 38 for non members and I think 24 for members for two tent sites max 4 people and one parking spot per night. That's now the "low cost" option. That's the really shitty thing about this. I really see the one parking spot per sight rule at the new campground being a big problem. Where in the hell is everyone that doesn't live together going to park their vehicles? I hope there is a commuter lot nearby?? But, who really wants to park a car full of gear at a commuter lot overnight...
There's one tent platform per site large enough to put two 2-3 person backpacking tents.
You can leave a second vehicle at the bottom parking lot of the east Trapps parking in back of the welcome center. There's a trail that connects with the AAC campground.
I hope they loosen up the rules regarding the fire-pit, not being allowed to add wood without approval of the caretaker (or stash a potato in the coals)...
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Northeastern States
Post a Reply to "Gunks MUA scheduled to close?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.