Founded in 2004, the year of the 100th Anniversary of the Catskill Park, the CMC has dedicated itself to providing a broad range of non-motorized outdoor recreational activities to its members, to residents and to visitors in the Catskills. Whether you hike, camp, kayak, canoe, snowshoe, ski, or cycle, the CMC offers activities to meet your interests.
The enjoyment of classic cross-country skiing is greatly enhanced by skiing on a groomed surface. These conditions are made possible by proper grooming equipment to prepare the snow. Fortunately, SUNY Delhi College has acquired a specialized utility vehicle with snow treads and a classic track setter. The result is a quality trail system at the college’s Golf Course, which is open to the public at no cost. David DeForest, Assistant Professor in Applied Sciences, is the leading force in maintaining the trails each winter. The trails begin at the Bluestone Pub and Restaurant at the foot of Scotch Mountain Road (off Arbor Hill Road). There are about four miles of trails with easy and intermediate loops. They are situated in a peaceful setting that includes two crossings of the Little Delaware River and great views of Bell Hill. Complete grooming of the trail system takes about three hours, while re-grooming is also conducted to keep the surface and tracks clean and firm. This promotes the skiing experience because the recessed tracks allow the skier to look around, enjoy the scenery, and maintain good form, instead of trudging through snow.
But it will be different again this year. Due to COVID’s continued effects, we will be having just a small roster of in-person outdoor events and a number of virtual events. Keep checking the Catskills Lark In the Park website to see the events as they are added. Right now we have scheduled -paddles-hikes.
Experience an incredible outdoor adventure, paddling the beautiful Pepacton Reservoir. Join Catskill Mountain Club board member Ann Roberti for a scenic paddle. Bring your own CANOE or KAYAK (it must be steam cleaned prior to putting it in the reservoir — see more below) or rent from a local business that has kayaks stored on site.
We will launch promptly at 11 AM from the Shavertown Bridge Recreational Boating Launch site on the north side of the bridge.
Duration: We’ll paddle about 4 miles and the trip will take 3-4 hours including a lunch break.
Bring: drinks, lunch or snacks, sunscreen and a life jacket.
The Summer edition of the CMC News is available here. Check it out for stories about Volunteers, summer in the woods, news about the Club and about recreational opportunities in the Catskills region.
Stay close to home. Driving to distant sites increases the likelihood of spreading the disease.
Keep a 6 foot distance between you and other hikers (except those in your household)
If you are not feeling well, stay home.
Do not expect to use any bathroom or other facilities.
Do not share equipment except with members of your household.
Take care when signing in to use your own pen or sanitize your hands immediately after signing. Only have one party member sign in per group.
Do not share rides except with members of your household.
Leash your dogs and practice social distancing rules with them.
Guidelines for all times:
Avoid high use areas or go at off times.
If the parking lot is full, visit a different location. For visitor safety and the safety of others, do not park on roadsides and only park in designated parking areas.
Alert others as you pass or step to the side to let other hikers pass.
Be sure to sign in at the registration box.
Practice tick prevention and check for ticks after your outing at all times. Tick borne diseases are always possible and can cause serious illness.
We are thankful to first responders and essential workers. Please show your appreciation by maintaining a six foot distance from others while shopping and by wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of the virus. The virus can be transmitted days before symptoms appear, as well as by asymptomatic people shedding the virus.
Experience an incredible outdoor adventure, paddling the beautiful Pepacton Reservoir. Join Catskill Mountain Club board member Ann Roberti for a scenic paddle on this recently opened NYC reservoir. Bring your own CANOE or KAYAK (it must be steam cleaned prior to putting it in the reservoir — see more below) or rent from a local business that has kayaks stored on site.
We will launch promptly at 11AM from the Shavertown Bridge Recreational Boating Launch site on the north side of the bridge.
Life jackets required. All boats must be steam cleaned prior to arrival on site and have a valid DEP access sticker. Many vendors store boats on site, requiring only that you visit the store to pay and to pick up paddles and PFDs. For more information on regulations, please visit the NYCDEP website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/pdf/recreation/Pepacton_Boating_Brochure.pdf
Pre-register by Friday, May 25th by emailing Ann Roberti at aroberti@catskill.net.
Directions: From SR 28/30 in Margaretville, go west about 3 miles to the dividing of the highways. Turn south onto SR 30 and go 8 miles to the Shavertown Bridge, turning north onto CR 1 just before crossing the bridge. The Boat Launch is on the left.
From SR 28 in Andes, turn south onto CR 1 and travel 8 miles to the Shavertown Bridge Boat Launch on the right.
Hike the Shavertown Trail near the Pepacton Reservoir’s Shavertown Bridge Boat Launch. After a good climb for the first mile there will be a beautiful view overlooking the reservoir. We will enjoy the view and walk around Snake Pond. If the group is inclined, we will continue up an easier climb for a 3.3 mile loop returning to the pond and then back to the parking area. The upper loop is an nice second growth forest and beautiful rock formations. This is an enjoyable hike for almost everyone. The total distance 2.3 or 5.3 miles.
Wear sturdy shoes and bring water and snacks or lunch.
Register by April 6th by emailing aroberti@catskill.net.
Well behaved dogs with permission of the hike leader (email aroberti@catskill.net).
Directions: From SR 28 in Margaretville turn left on SR 30. Continue 8 miles to the Shavertown Bridge. Turn right and park at the upper parking area by the boat launch.
From Livingston Manor, take the Beaverkill Road, to Barkaboom Road pass Little Pond continue to the Shavertown Bridge turn right across bridge and left to the upper parking area by boat launch.
