Interesting to read the 1965 press release found by Kent on the other thread concerning the creation of the Mohonk Trust. In particular, the following statement is of interest:

At the outset, Mr. Daniel Smiley, administrator of The Mohonk Trust, explained how in a pilot operation some 500 acres of land shortly to be transferred to The Trust are already being made available for public use on a modest fee basis. The area will be used primarily for rock-climbing, camping, hiking, and other types of outdoor recreation.

Is this the first case of a trust being formed with the primary purpose of allowing access for rock climbing? Note that it is the first purpose Dan Smiley mentions in the release. I wonder how many people were actually climbing here in 1965? What a great testament to this ground-breaking organization.

Thanks for being a great and trustworthy friend to climbers Mohonk Trust(Preserve)!

I can only wish the Board of the Mohonk Mtn House shared Mr. Smiley's sense of altruism. Imagine...a gift of Skytop to the Preserve...sigh.