Enjoy a hike in the Western Catskills with this 7-8 mile out-and-back, moderate-to-difficult hike to Dry Brook Ridge, which is a requirement for the Catskill Mountain Club’s grid. The hike is not too strenuous (about 1500’ elevation gain), and it has a handful of very nice viewpoints along the ridge. It’s a pretty hike in the woods to enjoy nature. There’s a short herd path (a little bushwhack) that leads to the summit. We’ll either eat lunch near the summit or retrace our steps to enjoy our lunch at a better viewpoint.
Hike to Dry Brook Ridge, September 9, 9AM
Through Hike and Clear Brush on the Plattekill State Forest Road, 9 AM Saturday, August 5
Join a group of volunteers who will complete the reopening of the Plattekill State Forest Road in the towns of Bovina and Middl
etown This is a 5.5 mile point-to-point hike that will include brush trimming and limb lopping. Carpooling is necessary. Join with your friends to preplace a vehicle in the town of Middleton, then drive back to Bovina (11 miles) to begin the hike. Or, carpool with existing volunteers, space allowing.
Participants should bring a pair of loppers and a handsaw, as well as lunch, snacks, sturdy boots, insect repellent, and plenty of water. The hike is rated moderate-difficult and is expected to take six hours. Dogs are not permitted on this hike. For more information, including directions and carpooling, contact Peter Manning at Peter@catskillmountainclub.org by 5PM Friday August 4.
Hike Black Dome and Thomas Cole, Saturday, August 12 8:30 AM
Join Siu S Yuen for this difficult 6.5-mile, out-and-back hike to Black Dome (3,980 ft.) and Thomas Cole (3,950 ft.). We’ll take the Black 
Dome Range trail (red), cross the Batavia Kill, and ascend steeply to the ridgeline with viewpoints. We’ll continue on the trail over Black Dome and on to the wooded summit of Thomas Cole. After a pause at Thomas Cole, we’ll retrace our steps and break at the viewpoint looking south from Black Dome. From here, we’ll head down the trail and back to our cars.
The hike is expected to take five hours. Participants should bring lunch, at least 2 liters of water, snacks, maybe sunscreen, bug spray, and most importantly, sturdy hiking boots. Dogs are not permitted on this hike. Participants must register by 6 p.m. on Friday, 8/11/2023 by contacting Siu S Yuen at ssyuen@msn.com The rain date is Sunday, August 13. Continue reading
CMC Mini-Golf Fundraiser June 30, 5-7 PM
Looking for a laid-back event to kick off the July 4 weekend and support CMC? Then please join us for our Mini-Golf Fundraiser on June 30, 5-7 PM at Putt Putt Van Winkle. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind mini-golf experience with food, drink, and prizes in the scenic town of Bovina.
Your participation in this event will help support CMC’s free outdoor recreation activities, trail construction and 
maintenance programs, hiking challenges, advocacy for sustainable use of the Catskill Park and region, and our educational outreach programs like Views from the Watershed and Speak to the Earth.
Cost of the event is $50 per person. Rain or shine (tents on site). REGISTER HERE
Putt Putt Van Winkle is in the Western Catskills. From Andes, take Route 28 north 4.7 miles and to County Highway 6. Turn right and go 4.7 miles. Putt Putt Van Winkle is on the right. From Delhi (traffic light at Rtes. 10 and 28) take Route 28 south 7.5 miles to County Highway 6. Turn left and go 4.7 miles. Putt Putt Van Winkle is on the right. From Stamford (junction of Routes 23 and 10), take Route 10 south and go 8.1 miles to South Kortright. Turn left at blue and yellow sign for County Highway 18. Go over bridge and turn right at stop sign. Continue 1.2 miles to County Highway 5 and turn left. Continue on Highway 5 for 1.3 miles and bear left onto New Road. Take New Road 3.5 miles to the stop sign at the end. Putt Putt Van Winkle is across the road.
For more information, please contact Peter@catskillmountainclub.org
POSTPONED TO 7/23 Hike to Slide Mountain, the Catskills’ Highest Peak, NOW July 23, 9 AM
This 11.2-mile hike, beginning at the Denning Trailhead, offers a chance to take a lesser-traveled route to Slide Mountain. This outing will include 2100’ of elevation gain and is expected to take 8-10 hours. Though rated difficult, the hike will follow marked trails and pass thr
ough a variety of forest types and trailside environments and include some open views.
Hike Hunter and Southwest Hunter Mountains – July 22, 8:30 AM
This is a 10-mile strenuous loop hike to SW Hunter (3,750 ft.) and Hunter (4,040 ft.), which is the second highest of the Catskills High Peaks. We’ll take the Diamond Notch Trail (blue) to Devil’s Path (red) to where we’ll have our first view at Geiger’s Point. We’ll take a herd path to SW Hunter where we’ll retrace our steps for a bit, and then we’ll continue via the Devil’s Path to the summit of Hunter. The fire tower offers outstanding views and there is a nearby viewpoint looking out over Southwest Hunter and beyond. Continuing from Hunter on the Spruceton Trail (blue), we’ll make a short stop at John Robb lean-to and view before we loop out to our cars. 
Continue reading
Hike Arizona and Blackhead Mountains, August 13 9AM
Enjoy this 9.5-mile hike, beginning at the Stork’s Nest Parking area, climbing Dutcher Notch, and reaching the Arizona (3413’) and Blackhead Mountain (3940’) summits. This scenic trail hike is rated as difficult, includes 2728’ of elevation gain, and will take six-to-eight hours. Participants need to bring lunch, a lot of water, headlamp or flashlight, rain gear, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Participants must pre-register by August 11 by contacting leader Al Purdy via email Albertpurdy1@aol.com or by phone (845) 489-2332. Dogs are not permitted; and severe weather cancels the hike.
Continue reading
Hike the Huckleberry Loop, Sunday September 17, 9AM
Enjoy a day in the Western Catskills by hiking the complete Huckleberry Loop Trail, a distance of 12.8 miles. Rated as difficult, this loop hike will begin at the Hill Road Parking Area and will proceed counter clockwise until again reaching Hill Road in approximately eight hours.
Registration is required. Please contact Al Purdy at Albertpurdy1@aol.com or (845) 489-2332 by September 15. Participants need to bring lunch, snacks, plenty of water/ beverages, a flashlight or headlamp, and sturdy hiking boots. Dogs are not permitted on this hike. Severe weather will postpone the hike.
To reach the Hill Road Trailhead from the east, take State Route 28/30 1.9 mi. miles west from Fair St. Margaretville and turn left, following the signs for the Hill Road Trailhead. From the west, take State Route 28/30 east 1.2 miles from the junction of State Routes 28 & 30 at Dunraven and turn right, then following the signs for the Hill Road Trailhead. The GPS Coordinates for the Hill Road Trailhead are 42.116056, -74.646553.