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It’s time for the CMC’s ANNUAL DINNER and RAFFLE! | Sunday, October 14, 5 PM

This year’s party will take place on Sunday, October 14 at the Emerson Resort’s Catamount Restaurant in Mount Tremper. We’ll begin at 5 PM with a chance to talk to fellow members and guests while munching appetizers and enjoying a beverage from the bar. You can enjoy the views of Tremper Mountain while listening to the Esopus Creek from the expansive deck. Following the three course dinner, we’ll hear noted guide book authors Russell Dunn and Barbara Delaney give a presentation based on the recently published book Rambles to Remarkable Rocks, the perfect introduction to some new destinations for Catskills hikers. Russ is well known for his Catskill Region Waterfall Guide and other titles covering hiking in the Catskills, Adirondacks, Hudson River Valley, as well as the Taconics and Berkshires.

This year’s raffle offers another great line up of prizes including two Osprey day packs, a Thule kayak roof rack, snowshoes, artwork by naturalist Jack Mesick and a day rental for two of a kayak for a run down the East Branch of the Delaware. You do not have to be present to win, so purchase your tickets online or at the dinner. All proceeds go to help support the CMC’s work.
Get your RAFFLE tickets here: https://catskillmountainclub.org/…/2018-raffle-dinner-prizes/
Make DINNER RESERVATIONS here: https://catskillmountainclub.org/e…/tickets-for-annual-dinner

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The First Annual CMC Picnic was a Perfect Way to Spent a Beautiful Summer’s Day!

We had a great day for the first Annual CMC Picnic yesterday. The weather quickly warmed up and the skies stayed sunny for most of the day, making for a great day to swim or just sit at the beach. We all agreed that Belleayre Beach was a perfect place to get together. The grounds are beautiful, the facilities well kept and the lake and surrounding mountains are a great setting. We had some good corn hole and bocce ball matches, and a great hike at Rochester Hollow to begin the day. With Rick Roberts, CMC president, at the grill, the burgers and hotdogs were excellent eating with lots of great homemade side dishes and plenty of desserts to top it all off.

With great company, it was a nice way to spend a summer’s day. We hope to see many more of you at next year’s festivities!

2018-07-29 wgcmc Leave a response , ,

Accessible Outdoor Recreation Destinations in and around the Catskills

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Accessible Trail at Little Pond Campground

Most of us take for granted the almost endless opportunities we have to get out into the great outdoors. Whether we’re hitting the trail, casting for trout, paddling, or going rogue by ‘whacking our way into the unknown, we know well how important that chance to connect with nature is. And we appreciate it deeply.

For some of us, getting that feeling isn’t so easy. Our friends and family members who have limited mobility need and deserve resources that can accommodate them so they can get out and experience that connection with nature, too. The Americans with Disabilities Act has encouraged the development of infrastructure to make getting out easier. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, other governmental agencies and even some non-governmental organizations have accessible facilities all around the Catskills, including trails, fishing areas, water access points, picnic pads, camping pads, pavilions and restrooms. Recent improvements have been completed at Kenneth Wilson Campground, a DEC facility in the Town of Woodstock and the DEC has filed notice for comments on a plan to improve and add to the accessible facilities at the North-South Lake Campground near Haines Falls. Accessible attractions also include iconic spots like Kaaterskill Falls and the Ashokan Reservoir Promenade. For travelers, easy to get to trails and other amenities can be found at the Catskill Interpretive Center in Mt. Tremper.

Here are links to pages that list where many of these facilities are located.

NYSDEC Accessible Recreation Destinations listed by county.

Accessible Catskills Hiking, Camping and Outdoors

NYS Parks – search by the park name or location and look for the “Amenities and Activities” section.

Ashokan Rail Trail

2018-07-23 wgcmc Leave a response , ,

Boot-brush Unveiling and Hike at the Shavertown Trail | Friday, July 13, 10:30 AM

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DEP TO UNVEIL BOOT BRUSH STATION AND HOST COMMUNITY HIKE AT SHAVERTOWN TRAIL IN DELAWARE COUNTY

Boot brush, designed to combat invasive species, is among the first in the Catskills

DEP will also co-host community hike at Shavertown on July 13 with Catskill Mountain Club

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will co-host a community hike and unveil its new boot-brush station at the Shavertown Trail near Pepacton Reservoir on July 13. The event, which is free and open to all, will begin at 10:30 a.m. The Catskill Mountain Club and DEP will lead the hike, which will take participants along a new section of the trail that was recently constructed by volunteers.

The event will begin at the trailhead on County Route 1 in Andes, just north of its intersection with Route 30. DEP this month installed a boot-brush station at the trailhead to help minimize the spread of invasive species. The station is among the first of its kind in the Catskills. It includes a mounted brush on which hikers can clean their boots, information to help identify several invasive species that are approaching the region, and a gravel pad that is intended to trap any seeds that might get brushed off.

The boot-brush station will help prevent the spread of many types of invasive species, especially invasive plants such as bittersweet and barberry. Invasive plants cannot move far on their own. Even wind-dispersed seeds generally do not blow too far. Most new infestations are started by people who unintentionally move the seeds through recreational activities such as hiking, hunting or fishing. That’s why boot-brush stations are becoming more common throughout New York, especially in the northern and western parts of the state where outdoor recreation is popular. Continue reading →

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Catskills All Trails Challenge: Adding the New Overlook Mountain Trails

There are two recent additions to the trail system on Overlook Mountain. The Meads Meadow Trail and the Overloop Trail provide new easy to moderate hikes that loop north off the Overlook Spur Trail, which has been extended to the new Meads Meadow Trailhead parking area. Together they add 1.8 miles of new trails. Going forward, those trails are being added to the list of trails that must be hiked in order to complete the All Trails Challenge requirements. With their inclusion their are now 347 miles of designated hiking trails that must be hiked to receive your cetificate, patch and shirt. More Happy Hiking!

Overlook Mountain Wild Forest map.

2018-06-29 wgcmc Leave a response , ,

Announcing the First Annual CMC Picnic | Saturday, July 28, 10 AM – 5 PM

Belleayre Beach

Belleayre Beach

The CMC’s first annual picnic will be held on Saturday, July 28 at Belleayre Beach in the heart of the Catskills. The picnic, which is open to CMC members and their guests, will feature local hikes, games, swimming and paddling. Hikes to the summit of Belleayre or at Rochester Hollow will start the day, beginning at 10 AM and returning to the lake in the early afternoon. Snacks, yard games, swimming, paddling (boats and boards can be rented on site) and fishing (NYS license required) will be available all day.  After the hikes we’ll have a picnic, with hamburgers, hotdogs and non-alcoholic beverages provided by the CMC (vegetarian options will be served). All parties should bring a dish to share. You may bring beer and wine (not allowed on the beach).

Not a current member?  Join or renew below. We hope to see you there!

What you need to know:

Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake is a state owned and operated facility in the village of Pine Hill. It features a beach, rental kayaks and lifeguards on duty. It serves as the trailhead for the Giggle Hollow Trail.

The picnic is free for all CMC members, including individuals and families with children up to 18 years old. Family and significant others who are not CMC members are welcome to attend for a fee of $5 per person. Kids under 12 are free. Please pay by cash or check at the sign-in table when you arrive.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Lunch at 2:00 PM.

Registration is required by July 23rd.  (Click the link to go to the registration page.)

Park Entrance Fee: $14 per car with up to seven passengers, or $5 per person if you walk in. (Parking outside the gate is limited.)

Paddling rental fee: $15 per hour, or bring your same-day steam cleaned boat. (Click here for a list of approved steam cleaners.) PFDs required.

What you’ll need:

If you’re hiking, bring good hiking shoes and comfortable clothing, plenty of water and a snack. Hiking poles are suggested.

Swim suits, sunscreen, and insect repellant. Change of clothes and folding chairs, if desired.

A dish to share. Organizers will ask for a side dish, a dessert or a salad.

Questions can be directed to Rick Roberts at hikerrick2000@yahoo.com

Driving Directions: Belleayre Lake is on Friendship Manor Road and is visible from SR 28 in Pine Hill. Coming from the east it is just before the entrance into Pine Hill. From the west on SR 28 it is 1 mile past Galli-Curci Road (to Belleayre Ski Center) in Highmount.

2018-06-27 wgcmc Leave a response , ,

Map and Compass Workshop: Essential Knowledge | Sunday, July 15, 10:00 AM

858_map-compassMany hikers have become reliant on their gps unit or their smartphone to navigate in the mountains. They work great until they don’t, then you’re up a creek without a paddle unless you have these millenia old tools. They only weigh a couple of ounces, so don’t be concerned about adding to your burden. They are among the most valuable tools you will carry.  Knowing how to use them can save your day, or even save your life.

CMC Board member Will Soter is a NYSDEC licensed guide. This free hands on Map and Compass class will cover the basics of reading a map, plotting a course on a map, following a course in the field, recording a path of travel, and locating yourself on the map.

Participants should bring a baseplate compass.

Continue reading →

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Andes Rail Trail Gets Some Big Improvements

April 10, 2018

IMG_5326Parking has always been a bit tricky for visitors to the Andes Rail Trail and Bullet Hole Spur, but no longer. There has been a great improvement to the parking situation thanks to the Town of Andes, landscaper Mel Bellar and CMC board member Ann Roberti. The entrance to the Trail and to the historic train station has been opened up and improved so that parking is now available adjacent to the trailhead. The trailhead itself has a newly redesignedIMG_5323 entrance. The parking area was paved with crushed stone by LaFever Excavating. While there, they generously donated work to improve a long existing drainage problem on the trail. The CMC thanks all those involved in these projects for a great job.

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Volunteer with the CMC! You’ll Love It (and so will We).

CMC_logo_border_220x220Do You Have Some Time to Spare? Love to Pitch in on a Community Project? Looking for a Good Excuse to Get Out of the House (and Into the Woods)? We’ve Got You Covered!

We admit it. We’ve got big eyes. We look around at all of the great things happening in the Catskills and we want to jump into the action. But, alas, we could use lots more help. Here’s what’s coming up. See something that appeals? Just get in touch with us and we’ll tell you how you can help.

Continue reading →

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