This is a long, difficult hike, with no viable bailout route. We’ll encounter steep terrain, dense fir, and blowdown. We’ll begin with a bushwhack to the 4 most remote Catskills high peaks, and finish with a trail hike to 2 others. Several of the peaks have excellent views. At times the bushwhack will be very challenging.
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.
After lunch on the deck at Sunset Lodge on Belleayre Ridge
We’ll hike the Lost Clove trail to the junction with the Pine Hill – West Branch trail, turn left, and continue past the site of the former Belleayre Fire Tower to the junction with the Mine Hollow trail. Then we’ll retrace our way back past the Lost Clove trail, and will descend on the Giggle Hollow trail.
This will be a double shuttle hike. First we’ll hike the Little Spring Brook, and Pelnor Hollow trails. Then we’ll start from Berry Brook Rd, and hike West on the Mary Smith trail, repeat a section of Pelnor Hollow, and complete the Campbell Mountain trail.
We’ll hike the Finger Lakes trail from Berry Brook Rd. to the Alder Lake parking area. The route crosses six named summits with a few nice scenic vistas.
At about 5 miles, Balsam is one of the shortest of the 3500 peak hikes. Great views from near the summit. Plenty of bang for your buck. A lollypop loop hike with short in-and-out stick at the beginning and end. Somewhat strenuous – about 1600 feet of vertical gain.
We will hike from Fox Hollow to Woodland Valley, crossing Panther Mountain and Giant Ledge. A great ALL TRAILS CHALLENGE EVENT, the hike will cover a lightly traveled Phoenicia-East Branch Trail section that features an impressive staircase constructed in the 1930s by the CCC.
Mt. Pisgah is the site of the closed Bobcat Ski Area in Andes. This hike will visit land originally prepared for a housing development. It has the remains of paved and gravel roads to the top of the easternmost spur of Pisgah. The land includes abandoned pastures, forest, and a multitude of stone walls, rock piles, a small quarry and cliffs. The leader is a mycologist and he has found several species of edible mushrooms in recent summer and autumn hikes on this spur, although this year has been dry so far.
Historic Rochester Hollow follows a stream for awhile on an old woods road towards the former site of an estate. Along the way is a memorial plaque to Catskills’ native son, naturalist and widely read author John Burroughs.
Join Pamela Martin at the Catskills Visitor Center for a free child centered outdoor yoga event. Ages 4 – 10. A caretaker must accompany each child during the class and is welcome to participate. Mats are provided.
What to bring: water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray
Dogs allowed?: No
Fee: None
Directions: The Catskills Visitor Center is located on SR 28 in Mt. Tremper, approximately 1.2 miles north of Boiceville.
🎵 Summer’s here and the time is right for picnicking in the park! 🎵 At North-South Lake, that is!
North-South Lake from Sunset Rock
It’s time for our Annual Members Picnic! Join us on August 11th from 10 to 5 at the South Lake pavilion for food, games, hikes, swimming, paddling and just a plain old good time chatting with like minded lovers of the great outdoors.
Your club will provide free hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. You bring a dish to share.
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.
There is a day use area entrance fee to the facilities, and if you want to paddle you’ll need to rent or bring your own kayak or canoe.
First thing in the morning, we’ll depart on one or two easy hikes to one of the amazing attractions along the Escarpment. Sunset Rock, Inspiration Point and Kaaterskill Falls are all possibilities.
For those who prefer not to hike, choose from several other options. Afterwards, we’ll return to the pavilion for a cookout followed by a few more hours of relaxing, swimming, boating or playing a friendly yard game or two.
What you’ll need to bring:
If you’re hiking, bring good hiking shoes, comfortable clothing and plenty of water. Hiking poles are suggested. Bring swim suits, sunscreen, insect repellent, a change of clothes and folding chairs, if desired.
Bring a dish to share. Organizers will ask for an appetizer, a side dish, a dessert or a salad. Please see the registration form.
Questions can be directed to Rick Roberts at hikerrick2000@yahoo.com
Driving directions: From SR 23A in Haines Falls turn north onto North Lake Drive and bear right at the Twilight General Store, continuing to the entrance gate.
This marathon hike is designed for those working on the Catskills All Trails Challenge, and will complete all of the required trails near Quick Lake on Map 144. Our route will consist of 2 loops from the parking area. The first (14.05 mile) loop will complete the Quick Lake and Flynn trails. The second (6.35 mile) loop will complete the Big Rock and Loggers Loop trails.
This hike is to be a full traverse of Panther and the scenic Giant Ledges. One of the best hikes in the Catskills, it offers a full range of treats for an experienced hiker. A lovely combination of ups, downs and wonderful scrambles offering a variety of woods and some fabulous views. This is one of my favorite late Summer hikes and I love company, so come join me for a fun day!
Note hike is for experienced hikers. No pets. Bring plenty of water and lunch. Dress in wicking layers for comfort. We will go at a fair pace but plan to treat ourselves to time to admire nature’s beauty. This traverse is by far the prettiest way to enjoy this unique 3500 peak. Hike requires a shuttle from hairpin turn on Route 47/Frost Valley-Oliverea Rd. We will have a full day!
The fire tower on Hunter Mountain with its sweeping views is the highest in the Catskills at over 4000′. This hike is part of a summer series that will traverse the entire Devil’s Path. With Indian Head and Twin already covered, look next for Sugarloaf and Plateau and then Westkill and St. Anne’s Peak.
Long Pond is located in the Willowemoc Wild Forest of Sullivan County. This is a fairly level hike to a lean-to on Long Pond. Two miles in and the same on the return. Suitable for hikers of all abilities. Child-friendly.
We’ll hike the Mud Pond and Trout Pond trails on map 144. These are two of the Catskills most beautiful ponds. Catskills All Trails Challenge Hikers take note.
This hike is designed for those working on the Catskills All Trail Challenge. We’ll hike the required sections of the Neversink-Hardenburgh and Long Pond – Beaver Kill Ridge Trails, as well as a section of the Mongaup-Hardenburgh Trail, and a short detour to the shelter at Long Pond.
This hike starts from Berry Brook Rd, and begins by following the Mary Smith trail West to the junction with the Pelnor Hollow trail. From the junction there’s an optional side trip to a great view at the Split Rock Lookout. Next we’ll return East on Mary Smith past our starting point, and continue on the Mary Smith and Middle Mountain trails to Beech Hill Rd.
Our trail work party at Frick Pond last month was so much fun that we’re doing another!
Come help us improve this local family-friendly trail so it is welcoming again! We supply tools and on-site training. You choose a rugged or light-duty task, depending on your ability (interested children too!) Bring water, a snack, work gloves and wear long pants and sturdy footwear.
Trip Leaders: Lisa Lyons and Ralph Bressler
Dogs Allowed: No dogs, please.
Each participant receives a complimentary snack bar (gluten-free) made locally by Magic Maple Foods at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County Catskills Kitchen.
Register and get the meeting location by contacting Lisa at (845) 439 5507 or email to info@morgan-outdoors.com. If you only have an hour to spare, please come!
A must do hike for any Catskills enthusiast and experienced hiker. The trail begins by a lovely running stream and climbs and climbs with very challenging scrambles, beautiful woods on the Escarpment and VIEWS among the best in the northern Catskills. We will keep a moderate but steady pace. We will stop at great nature stops and views, but please no selfie photo stops otherwise! Hike is about the beauty of the moment to be enjoyed there. With those fellow hikers~you will love it!
Fabulous! unique and a special challenging day with CMC! It is FUN! Pack appropriately! Please note RAIN and thunderstorms must cancel due to serious terrain of hike. Will reschedule.
This hike starts with a steep climb up Bangle Hill from Peekamoose Rd, gaining over 1100 feet in 1.1 miles. After the initial climb, the remainder of the hike is relatively level, dropping about 600 feet over 6.4 miles to Vernooy Falls, then dropping another 500 feet in the last 1.7 miles. If the weather cooperates we’ll stop for a swim at Vernooy Falls.
Balsam Lake Mt. Fire Tower from Mill Brook Ridge Trail
From the Alder Lake parking area, we’ll loop around Alder Lake, and continue on the Mill Brook Ridge trail to junction with the Balsam Lake Mountain trail. We’ll detour South on BLM to the Southern junction with Dry Brook Ridge trail, then return & continue over the BLM summit (with spectacular views from the fire tower) to the Northern junction with the DBR trail. (At this point we’ll have the option of detouring to Graham, adding 4 miles.) We’ll finish by heading South on the DBR trail to the Balsam Lake parking area.
This hike starts with a steep climb up Bangle Hill from Peekamoose Rd, gaining over 1100 feet in 1.1 miles. After the initial climb, the the remainder of the hike is relatively level, dropping about 600 feet over 6 miles.
View from Dry Brook Ridge towards the Pepacton Reservoir.
Please join us on our Spring Trail Maintenance Hike on Dry Brook Ridge in Margaretville New York. We will carpool to the Huckleberry Brook spur and climb approximately 1500 feet in a moderate climb and do light work clearing the trail and making sure things are tidy on Dry Brook Ridge.We’ll hike Pakatakan Mountain and follow the ridge, passing by a 700 years old bog, to arrive to a beautiful lookout of the Pepacton Reservoir. We will relax and have mid-day lunch at the overlook, with beautiful western views of the Western Catskills.
In the afternoon, we will return on the German Hollow Trail, maintaining along the way.
This will be a relaxed-paced bike ride using both roads and trails from Delhi to South Kortright and back. We’ll head out County Route 18 from Delhi to South Kortright. In South Kortright, we’ll get on the Catskill Scenic Rail Trail and head back to Bloomville. From there, we’ll use River Road to get back to Route 18 and then we’ll head back to Delhi.
Much of this route is alongside the Delaware River and, on the road portion, there are rolling hills and open views of the western foothills of the Catskills. The Catskill Scenic Rail Trail lives up to its name, but it is uneven and can be muddy. Road bikes will not work on this trail.
A wonderfully challenging mountain section of the Devil’s Path with views you will be sure to remember! We will enjoy Dibbles Quarry, and great scrambles up to the two tops of Twin Mountain. From Twin we will traverse over and down to Jimmy Dolan Notch. From here we will again climb to elevation and reach Indian Head. Lovely Views of Hudson area as you hike the Devil’s Path!
We will descend down to Platte Clove Road and falls. Hike is great fun for experienced hikers seeking a challenge. Pace safe and moderate but moving along. Bring plenty to drink and energy snacks. It is a full day’s hike. Hikers must be prepared. Dress in layers and allow for cooler peak tops. Do come join our fun day on the Devils Path!
POOR WEATHER will cancel this hike (will be rescheduled).
The CMC is excited to announce that tickets for the much anticipated “Views from the Watershed” tours of the NYC Catskill and Delaware watersheds are now available for purchase. Tour dates are Saturday, July 13th and Saturday, August 3rd.
Led by watershed educator and artist Lize Mogel and featuring special guests including historians Diane Galusha, Marianne Greenfield, the DEP’s Adam Bosch and CMC Executive Director Wendell George, the all-day bus tours will explore the landscape, history, and politics of the NYC water supply in the Catskills. Hear stories of the water system from the multiple perspectives of people who live and work in it, and who manage it. These tours are a great opportunity for newer or part-time residents of the Catskills and for visitors to learn more about the past, present, and future of how water shapes their environment.
The tour begins and ends at the Catskills Visitor Center in Mount Tremper. With stops at the Ashokan and Pepacton Reservoirs and sites in between, the tour will visit several points of interest as it winds through the scenic Catskill Park. Be sure to bring a camera! Lunch will be available for pre-purchase to be eaten at a stop along the way.
These tours are supported in part by an education grant awarded by the Catskill Watershed Corp. to the Catskill Mountain Club.
This moderate hike is about 2 miles long. We’ll meet at the CVC at 9:30 and travel together to the trailhead from there. The hike should last about two hours and along the way we’ll visit two nice viewpoints. After the hike we’ll come back to the Visitor Center for refreshments and to participate in the festivities there.
Please bring something to drink. Dress for comfort and wear good hiking shoes. Hiking poles are suggested.
This event is limited to 15 hikers. Please register by contacting wendell@catskillmountainclub.org or by calling 845-586-6273.
The Pepacton Range in the distance from Bramley Mountain
Hiking the Pepacton Range by Wendell George and Mike Kudish
Last July 7th forest historian Dr. Michael Kudish and I set out on a hike intended to allow me to hike a section of the Quick Lake Trail that I needed in order to meet the All Trails Challenge requirements. Having hiked everything else in the area, I was determined to avoid the 14 mile out and back from Frick Pond to Quick Lake. I decided to bushwhack from Shin Creek Road in the north and it was my good luck that Mike was eager to hike that route since it was an area he had not explored. The Shin Creek ravine was deep and steep, but the hike through the woods was pretty short. Once we were across, we followed the ridge to Hodge Pond Mountain and the Quick Lake Trail. After an unremarkable hike to an almost dried up Quick Lake, we set out on the return ‘whack from Junkyard Junction. This time we stayed too far east and ended up hiking through wetlands that were host to thick, chest high brush. Angling back towards the ridge, we came out at exactly the spot we had entered from, which was good because we had scouted the creek for the easiest crossing.
Note: Due to rain this event was postponed until May 19th. Please contact the organizer to register for the new date.
The public is invited to come help out on the Frick Pond Loop Trail in Mongaup State Park, Livingston Manor. Together, we’ll improve the drainage on this scenic, family-friendly trail so it becomes welcoming again!
Local volunteers, under the auspices of the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, will supply tools and on-site training; you supply the muscle and enthusiasm. There are both rugged and light-duty tasks, depending on your ability. Bring water, a snack, work gloves and wear long pants and sturdy footwear.
Trip Leaders: Lisa Lyons and Ralph Bressler
Participants are invited for a complimentary craft beverage at the Catskill Brewery afterwards. The rain date is May 19th.
Dogs allowed?: No Dogs, please.
Register, ask questions and get the meeting location by contacting Lisa at (845) 439 5507 or email to info@morgan-outdoors.com. Morgan Outdoors is located at 46 Main Street in Livingston Manor.
This a chance to find and identify the beautiful Spring Ephemeral wildflowers which are so named because they appear above ground in early spring when they flower and fruit and then die back into the ground, all in a short period before the trees have had a chance to leaf out. Most hikers never see these flowers because they wait for late spring or summer to get into the woods. We will look for Trillium, Spring beauties, Trout Lily, Hepatica, Violets, Squirrel Corn, Dutchman’s Britches, Jack-In-The-Pulpit and many others. We may also find some early mushrooms.
Kelly Hollow is one of the most beautiful short trails in the Catskills with rocky streams and waterfalls. It has a combination of coniferous and deciduous forests with a lovely beaver pond near a lean-to at the top. The trail is an easy to moderate loop of about 4 miles. Bring lunch and/or snacks to have at the lean-to (there is a privy nearby). The weather might be cool and there are some wet spots on this trail so dress appropriately. Continue reading →
Wittenberg from the Phoenicia-East Branch Trail on Cross Mountain
We’ll follow the Phoenicia – East Branch trail from Woodland Valley to Lane St. in Phoenicia. The first 2.8 miles are coincident with a Red blazed section of the Red, Wittenberg – Cornell – Slide trail. The last 9.1 miles are coincident with a Blue blazed section of the Long Path. Along this section, we’ll descend the Grand Staircase (a long series of rock steps along the side of a cliff) and follow the ridge comprising Cross Mountain, Mt. Pleasant, and Romer Mountain. The views are magnificent.
This will be a relaxed-paced bike ride around the eastern Pepacton Reservoir using the Reservoir Road, the Shavertown Bridge, Route 30 and Route 28.
This route offers one of Delaware County’s most pleasant bike loops with gentle rolling hills, light traffic and views of the reservoir throughout the ride.
Starting at the suspension bridge over the scenic Beaver Kill, we’ll hike to Mongaup Pond via the Mongaup – Hardenburgh trail. We’ll return via the Mongaup – Willowemoc and Long Pond Beaver Kill Ridge trails. Along the way, we’ll summit two Catskill Hundred Highest mountains: Willowemoc (3224 ft) and Sand Pond (3062 ft).
For those working on the Catskills All Trails Challenge, this hike completes the Mongaup – Hardenburgh, and Mongaup – Willowemoc trails, and the portion of the Long Pond Beaver Kill Ridge trail North of Flugertown Rd.
Like its Pepacton Range neighbor Cabot Mountain, Middle Mountain is just shy of qualifying as a Catskills 100 highest. To reach its 2965′ summit we’ll cross another “almost”, an unnamed 2942′ mountain and its sub-peak 2778′ Mary Smith Hill. We’ll finish on 2850′ Beech Hill, enjoying some nice views towards the Beaverkill Range along the way. Approximately 1665′ ascent. Along this route we’ll pass through miles of first growth forest and enjoy the spring ephemeral wildflowers.
Bramley Mountain was once the site of a fire tower and the views from the summit to the Catskills ranges are impressive. Along the way the trail visits an abandoned bluestone quarry, caves and many outcroppings. Approximately 900′ ascent.
At 2976′, Cabot Mountain in the Pepacton Range is just a few feet under the cut off for a Catskills 100 highest peak. This hike is a steady climb to a nice view overlooking Little Pond and the mountains beyond. Approximately 1300′ ascent.
Trout Pond is a picturesque and pristine little lake surrounded by hills. It’s a nice moderate-difficult hike south from Campbell Mountain in the Pepacton Range over three small mountains and down to the lakeside lean-to. From there we will continue on for 1.4 miles to Russell Brook Falls. Approximately 1660′ ascent.
Join us for a Memorial Day hike to Split Rock on Brock Mountain in the Pepacton Range. There’s a nice view to be had. After spotting cars at Holiday and Berry Brook Rd., we’ll start at Cat Hollow Rd. / SR206, crossing Flat Rock on the way. Approximately 1600′ ascent.
Snowshoe hike to 3607′ Balsam Mountain at a moderate pace. One of our favorite Catskill hikes, this loop has a bit of everything. There are a few water crossings, so waterproof boots, gaiters, extra wool socks and hiking poles are a must. There will be a nice view down the Esopus Valley from near the summit. This is a required winter peak for 3500 Club qualifications.
We’ll explore a little known DEP parcel with some very nice water features and woods, including a pond, stream, waterfall and pools. This is a short hike but we’ll take it slow and enjoy the scenery. We’ll grab lunch afterwards.
We kick off a new series of Thursday hikes on the Palmer Hill Trail in Andes. Known for its wide open views, the trail is situated on lands sitting in a high mountain pass on the slopes of Little Pisgah Mountain. We’ll start and end at the spectacular panorama of the western Catskills high peaks.
The Andes Rail Trail offers a great winter snowshoe hike. After just under a mile on the old rail bed which follows the Tremperskill, the trail heads up the Bullet Hole Spur gradually, switching back below the summit of Hemlock Knoll. As it levels and passes through a succession of interesting features including a spruce plantation and a hemlock grove, it drops down into the Bullet Hole with its eponymous creek rushing below. This hike is suitable for everyone, including kids. Proper traction wear, including snowshoes and/or crampons, is required.
This hike is being cross-promoted by the Catskill Brewery as part of their Winter Carnival on February 16-17. Craft breweries have become a great addition to life in the Catskills. You can find them at 672 Old Rte 17, Livingston Manor, NY.
Winnisook Lake (#56) Mountain is one of the Catskills 100 Highest. The western summit of WLM is home to the Catskills “Stonehenge”. This hike requires a bushwhack (no herd path) that can be very steep. Hikers should have off trail winter experience and full winter equipment since deep snow and ice are expected. The hike will be led by Alan Via, author of The Catskill 67 hiking guide.
Two weeks from tomorrow on Tuesday, February 5th the CMC and our many partners in the Catskill Park Coalition will head up to Albany on Catskill Park Day. Our purpose is to talk to legislators, the governor and officials at the DEC about the recreational needs of our region, including stewardship of the Catskill Park, aid to our communities, protection of our environment, conservation and many other things that impact on the health and quality of our area’s great outdoor spaces.
Click here for a summary of our goals and how you can help advance them, even if you can’t go to Albany. Find the contact info for your legislators and for the Governor and give them a call or write a letter supporting our requests. And please join us on February 5th as we make our case to our state’s leaders. Thanks in advance for helping to protect and improve the Catskill Park!
Bramley Mountain was once the site of a fire tower and the views from the summit to the Catskills ranges are impressive. Along the way the trail visits an abandoned bluestone quarry, caves and many outcroppings.