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.
A Guide to the CMC Trails 2nd Edition is available now!
August 8, 2020 The 2nd Edition of the Guide to Catskill Mountain Club Trails has just been published. You can find it at the trailheads, at the Catskills Visitor Center and at several area merchants.
In the Guide you will find maps, descriptions and trailhead locations for all of the trails. Updated information for the Morris Hill Trail, which is still under construction, will be in an upcoming revision.
To view and download the Guide, click this link.
Note: For best results use 11″ x 14″ paper.
Sustainable and Safe Hiking Practices During the Pandemic and Beyond
Simple Rules to Help Everyone Stay Safe
During the Pandemic:
- 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.
How the Pandemic is Affecting Our Annual Events
July, 3 2020 In keeping with recommendations and requirements intended to keep us all safe during the Covid-19 crisis, the CMC has decided that we will not offer our Annual Picnic nor our Annual Dinner in 2020.
We continue to evaluate the situation as we think about offering outdoor recreational events again. At this time, the resurgence of cases in the country is of great concern. It remains important to recreate locally, to socially distance when in groups and to wear masks when in close contact or when passing unrelated parties. We recommend stepping off trail to allow others to pass. We will continue to monitor developments. Like everyone, we look forward to resuming normal activities as soon as possible.
Be safe.
Ashokan Quarry Trail Opens to the Public
July 18, 2020 Yesterday we and our partners, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, opened the new trail officially. Also in attendance was a representative from the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program, which supplied a grant to pay for interpretive signage. Unfortunately, in an abundance of caution we were not able to invite the public to the ceremony. While it’s always fun to have a big event, the important thing is that the trail is finished and that you are invited to hike it whenever you can!
The two mile trail begins just off Rte. 28A about 0.2 miles west of the Ashokan Reservoir Promenade. There is a dedicated parking area just 100 feet into the woods. From there follow the blue markers and yellow directional signs. Just before making the turn towards the top of the old Yale Quarry, a source of rock during the construction of the reservoir, pass the ruins of an old stone building that was used to store explosives. There are sweeping views of the Catskills, including four high peaks, from the high, open ledges along the top of the quarry wall. The path is through a mixed forest of hardwoods and pine, with a 200′ foot section passing through dense mountain laurel.
Be sure to check out the remnants of the railroad loading zone on a short spur trail near the southern end of the main loop trail. A large seasonal vernal pool fed by water falling from the quarry walls is an added point of interest in spring. Although It retains water year round, it becomes very low in summer. As you return to the parking lot, pass through an interesting area with large mounds of tailings that line both sides of the trail.
This is an easy hike with about 200 feet of elevation gain.
For more information and to print a map and trail guide visit:
https://catskillmountainclub.org/…/wh…/ashokan-quarry-trail/
Spring 2020 CMC Newsletter
The Spring edition of the CMC News is available here. Check it out for stories about Earth Day, news about the Club and about recreational opportunities in the Catskills region. Learn more about where to hike during the pandemic, about the signs of spring in nature and learn about a yoga exercise that will help you be a better hiker.
Spring 2020 Coronavirus Edition Newsletter
Find out what you need to know about current hiking conditions in the Catskills during the pandemic, tips for hiking safely at this time and more stories about the Catskills. Click here to view the newsletter.
Announcing the Formation of the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower and cabin c. 1950
January 21, 2020 The newly formed Friends of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower group held its first meeting on the evening of January 6th at the O’Connor Hospital in Delhi. The Friends were formed to organize the reconstruction of the fire tower that was decommissioned by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation in 1970 and removed in 1975. The tower was purchased by Pete Clark, who meticulously stored the tower’s parts right down to the nuts and bolts in his barn. It is well preserved as a result. Three years ago Tom Clark, the current owner, approached the Catskill Mountain Club with an offer to allow the tower to be restored if the CMC could lead the effort. With the formation of the Friends group, the effort to raise funds and complete the resurrection of the tower has officially begun.
In 2008 the NYC Department of Environmental Protection acquired the Bramley Mountain parcel and in 2016 the DEP allowed the Catskill Mountain Club to build a trail to the summit. The trail has been very popular with the public, drawing over 1500 hikers a year, some of them from as far away as Europe and Africa. Now, with the support and cooperation of the Town of Delhi and of the DEP as well as widespread support in Bovina, Hamden, Kortright, Andes and other local communities, the CMC has formed the Friends of the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower to move the project to completion.
For more information, to donate to the Friends, to volunteer and to sign up for the email contact list click here.
16th Annual Lark in the Park | October 5th – 14th, 2019
Lark in the Park view from Giant Ledge
The Lark in the Park is coming soon. As usual, we will host many events over a 10 day celebration of the Catskill Park. Whether you prefer hiking, paddling, cycling, mountain biking, art, science, cultural studies, fishing, service, yoga or more, we’ll have something for you. Wheelchair accessible events included.
Check it all out at catskillslark.org