On Sunday, December 8th, a fine group of hikers took on a 12 mile section of the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail. We thought we could do this section in 4 hours but there was just too much to look at and photograph! If you have not checked out this trail, we highly recommend it. You can do much shorter sections, or longer. We hope to come back soon on our cross country skis!
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Great Hike on Wallkill Valley Rail Trail
The Catskill Mountain Club News for Fall/Winter is Here
November 17, 2014 – The CMC has a newly published newsletter which we invite you to read here. Along with a report on a very successful year of accomplishments, it contains information about hiking in both the hunting season and winter. Check out the photos and the useful information about how you can receive our news and announcements directly in your inbox. We look forward to hearing from you.
New benches at Shavertown Trail
- Should we make a seesaw?
- Seems good
- Very comfortable
- Maybe not for a nap
- Very funny, Frank
November 14, 2014 – Many thanks to the Catskill Forest Association for the beautiful benches they donated to the Shavertown Trail. The larch benches were created by Mike Porter from trees on nearby Dingle Hill. The CMC “bench” team installed the benches as winter descended on us. Thank you (I guess), to Frank Winkler, for his witticisms.
The Catskill Mountain Club Annual Dinner is a Huge Success
On Sunday, October 13, the Catskill Mountain Club held its annual dinner at the Catamount Restaurant.
The 2nd annual dinner of the Catskill Mountain Club, held during the Lark in the Park celebrations, was a huge success. On the banks of the Esopus Creek in the elegantly rustic Catamount Restaurant, we enjoyed good company, good food and good drink.
Afterwards, we heard the wonderfully entertaining and informative presentation of Dr. Robert Titus, Professor of Geology at Hartwick College, and his wife, fellow researcher and author, Joanna Titus. They explained the transformative effects of the last glacial period on the Catskill Mountains and the adjacent Hudson River Valley.
We also honored our departing club president, Steve Berg, for his service to our club since its founding. And we welcomed incoming president Rick Roberts. We are excited about our prospects for continuing growth and success during his tenure.
Finally, we held the drawing for our tremendously successful raffle. The prizes included a kayak, original art by local nature artist and outdoorsman Jack Mesick, a water purification system and a spinning rod and reel.
We are already looking forward to next year’s event.
Shavertown Trail Gets a Lot of Attention
The newly created Shavertown Trail is getting a lot of attention, both locally and in the hiking community.
September 1, 2014 – The Catskill Mountain Club has been working since last year to build a trail on the NYC DEP owned parcel across from the Pepacton near the Shavertown Bridge.
The Shavertown trail offers families and novice hikers a unique opportunity in the Catskills – a spectacular view after only one moderately strenuous mile, followed by a fairly level mile and a half through beautiful rock ledges and wonderful forest to explore.
Read more about it here:
The CMC Joins with Partners to Build the Maurice Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center
August 31, 2014 – Watch for it! At long last and after the tireless efforts of many parties, most notably those of Congressman Maurice Hinchey, who championed the cause and secured funding from HUD, the Catskills are about to get the go to place for information about the park and region that has been needed for so many years. The CMC is proud to join with founding partners, including the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the Friends of the Catskill Interpretive Center, the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference as well as Catskill Mountainkeeper in a public/private partnership that will manage, operate and staff the facility. The CIC will be located on SR 28 in Mt. Tremper. Projected groundbreaking will be in Spring, 2014. The Center is expected to open in Fall, 2014.
New Hiking Trail Added to the Andes Rail Trail
August 23, 2014 – This sprin
g brought the completion of the Bullet Hole Spur that extends the Andes Rail Trail an additional 2.2 miles, bringing the option of the total walk to 3.9 miles round trip.
The Spur climbs Hemlock Knoll, the ridge above the rail bed, taking hikers through mature hardwood forest, open woodlands covered in ferns and princess pine, magnificent rock outcroppings, an old pine plantation and hemlocks towering above the Bullet Hole Creek. It is really a beautiful trail, giving the hiker a bit of many different Catskills environments. The Spur is more strenuous than the flat railbed, climbing 250 feet in a half mile, but switchbacks and stone steps help out. The steep sections are followed by relatively flat areas so you get a nice break after working a little harder.
Trailhead located at 266 Depot Street, Andes
Summer Newsletter
August 15, 2014 – Read about our work on the Andes Rail Trail and Bullet Hole Spur, the new Shavertown Trail, our new Stewardship Committee and more…..Click Here!
Request for Volunteers
The CMC is doing a lot of work keeping the trails you love open and clear of downed trees, skin ripping blackberry bushes and other hazards. In addition, we’re laying out and building new trails. We’d love to have your help….it really is a fun day in the woods and you’ll have the pride of knowing you contributed to the trails you love. Click here to learn more….