Peter Manning

Hike Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Camel’s Hump, RESCHEDULED to Dec. 24, 8:30 AM

Take this 7.4-mile out and back hike along the Black Dome Range Trail. Beginning at 8:30 AM at the parking area on Barnum Road, this hike is rated as difficult and is expected to take approximately six hours. To register for this hike contact Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 489-2332 by December 22. Participants need to bring lunch/ snacks, water/ beverage, warm clothing, sturdy hiking boots, gaiters spikes, poles, and headlamp. Have snowshoes with you. This hike has a maximum of twelve hikers, and dogs are not permitted. Severe weather will postpone the hike.

Directions: From NYS Thruway (87) Saugerties/ Exit 20, turn right on 32 North for six miles and keep straight onto NY-32A. Take NY-32A for 0.6 miles, bear left onto NY-23A. Take Route 23A for 5.5 mi. and turn right onto Co. Hwy 25.  At 2.8 mi. stay right onto Co. Hwy 23C; in another four miles turn right onto Co. Hwy 40. In 1.1 mi. turn right onto Hauser Rd for 0.5 mi./ end. Turn right onto Barnum Road and trailhead parking is 0.4 mi.  Google address is 323 Barnum Rd., East Jewett NY, 12424. GPS Coordinates are 42.26399, -74.17666

Loop Hike from Mongaup Pond, December 17, 8:30 AM

This 10-mile hike, rated as difficult, will include sections of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail, the Long Pond-Beaverkill Range Trail, and the Mongaup-Willowemoc Trail. The hike is expected to take six-to-eight hours. Participants must register by December 15. To register, contact Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 489-2332. The event is limited to 12 participants. Dogs are not permitted on this hike. Participants need to bring lunch/ snacks, bright winter clothes/ layers, sturdy hiking boots, spikes, poles, gaiters, snowshoes, and head lamp. Though this is a trailed route, the hike may involve some route finding. Continue reading

First Day Hike to West Kill Mountain, January 1, 2024, 9:00 AM

Join CMC for a seven-mile round-trip hike to West Kill Mountain from Diamond Notch. In partnership with NYSDEC we continue the tradition of welcoming the new year with a Catskill Mountain hike. This challenging trail route will take us to the summit of West Kill (3880’) and the nearby lookout points. With an elevation gain of 1785 feet, this hike is rated as difficult and is expected to take five-to-six hours. Participants should be prepared for wintery trail conditions and bring microspikes and snowshoes, as applicable. Hikers should be experienced in cold weather mountain outings and will need to bring proper gear and supplies, including layered and extra clothing, sturdy warm boots, gaiters, sunglasses, as well as food/ snacks, and water/ beverage/ thermos. We will pause at Buck Ridge Lookout for lunch.

The hike is limited to 12 participants and registration is required. Please register by December 30 by contacting Peter@catskillmountainclub.org or (607) 832-4413. Extreme weather or trail conditions will cancel. Dogs are not permitted on this hike.

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Hike to West Kill Mountain, January 1, 2024, 9:00 AM

Join CMC for a seven-mile round-trip hike to West Kill Mountain from Diamond Notch. In partnership with NYSDEC we continue the tradition of welcoming the new year with a Catskill Mountain hike. This challenging trail route will take us to the summit of West Kill (3880’) and the nearby lookout points.

With an elevation gain of 1785 feet, this hike is rated as difficult and is expected to take five-to-six hours. Participants should be prepared for wintery trail conditions and bring microspikes and snowshoes, as applicable. Hikers should be experienced in cold weather mountain outings and will need to bring proper gear and supplies, including layered and extra clothing, sturdy warm boots, gaiters, sunglasses, as well as food/ snacks, and water/ beverage/ thermos. We will pause at Buck Ridge Lookout for lunch. Continue reading

Hike to Quick Lake, and Frick and Hodge Ponds, Sunday November 26, 8:30 AM

Join Al Purdy for a longer hike in the Willowemoc State Forest. The hike is rated difficult not for the terrain but for the distance (14.5 miles). The hike will visit the three water bodies and is ideal for those looking to complete the Catskills All Trails Hiking Challenge. This hike is expected to take eight hours, and participants need to bring lunch/ snacks, water/ beverage, proper clothing, bright colors for hunting season, headlamp, sturdy hiking boots, and microspikes (snowshoes should be in your car).

The hike is limited to 12 registrants. The registration deadline in November 25. Register by contacting Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 489-2332. Dogs are not permitted on this hike.

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Hike to Overlook Mountain and Echo Lake – Sunday, Nov. 19, 8:30 AM

This is an 11.6-mile hike from Platte Clove to Overlook Mountain and back. The day’s journey will include the Overlook Mountain Fire Tower, Codfish Point, and Echo Lake. Rated as difficult, this hike is expected to take eight hours. The hike requires registration by Friday, November 17 and is limited to 12 people. Participants need to bring lunch/ snacks, water/ beverage, headlamp, sturdy boots, and proper clothing, including bright orange clothing. Dogs are not permitted on this hike. To register contact Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 489-2332.

The hike begins at the parking area at 2425 Platte Clove Rd, Elka Park, NY 12427. From the NYS Thruway Saugerties Exit 20 NORTH turn left onto NYS Route 212, cross the Thruway, and then turn right onto right onto NYS Route 32 North. (Follow directions below.) From the NYS Thruway Saugerties Exit 20 SOUTH, turn right onto NYS Route 32 North and follow the directions below.

From Exit 20 follow NYS Route 32 North for 5.8 miles. Then continue straight onto NYS Route 32a for 1.9 miles. Turn left at the light onto NYS Route 23a for 6.5 miles to South Main Street in Tannersville (see brown-and-white signs for Devil’s Path). Turn left onto South Main and continue to Railroad Ave. Turn left and continue onto Platte Clove Road (County Hwy 16). From the sharp bend to the left (intersection with Bloomer Road, with signs for Long Path), continue 5.2 miles and the short driveway to the parking area (marked Long Path) is on the left. Meet here and be ready to go at 8:30. GPS Coordinates: 42.13387, -74.08188

Invitation to Prospective CMC Event Leaders: Hike to Balsam Lake Mountain November 12, 9AM

Join us on this 5.9-mile out-and-back hike to the Balsam Lake Fire Tower. Along the way we’ll do some trail maintenance and discuss peoples’ interest in leading events for the CMC in 2024 and the Club’s guidelines for leaders. This hike is considered moderate, and we’ll break for lunch at the summit.

Registration is required and the hike is limited to 12 people. To register, contact Peter Manning by Saturday, November 11, 5PM at Peter@catskillmountainclub.org or (607) 832-4413. Bring lunch/ snacks, water/ beverage, proper clothing, and sturdy hiking boots. Dogs are not permitted on this hike.

The hike will begin at 9 AM at the Dry Brook Ridge Parking Area on Millbrook Road, 8.25 miles from Arkville. To reach Arkville from the NYS Thruway (Kingston Exit 19), take Route 28 west for 42 miles. Following the brown-and-white directional signs for Dry Brook Ridge, turn left on Dry Brook Road and go six mile; turn right on Millbrook Road and go just over two miles and the parking area will be on your right.

To reach Arkville from Delhi, take Route 28 south for 25 miles, follow brown-and-white directional signs for Dry Brook Ridge by turning right onto Dry Brook Road, then follow directions above.

GPS Coordinates for Dry Brook Ridge Parking Area: 42.07036, -74.57387

Lark in the Park – 30+ Events!

Vanishing Views of Millbrook, Woodpecker Ridge & Balsam Lake Mtn, October 17, 8:30 AM

Hike this lesser known and fragile section of FLT in the southwest Catskills featuring scrambles and vanishing views of Balsam Lake and the Balsam Lake Fire Tower. This hike will reach the tower from the southwest and will explore several views, including a vista of the elusive Graham Mountain. Though not a bushwack, this hike is rated difficult, as it will cover 8 miles and is expected to take 7 hours. The pace will be moderate, and this is a great hike for all Catskill trails seekers.

We will meet at 8:30 AM at the Beaverkill Road Parking Lot (Quaker Clearing Trailhead).

Participants should bring lunch/ snacks, water/ drink, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, layered clothing, flashlight. Hiking poles are also suggested.

Participants must register by October 15 by contacting Deanna Felicetta at felicetta.deanna@gmail.com or (845) 216-2021. Registration for the hike is limited to 12 people. Dogs are not permitted.

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