CMC Comments on Proposed Pumped Storage Project in the Catskill Park
An Unacceptable Proposal
While we support all responsible efforts to create alternative means of producing electric energy, those efforts must take into account the effects on communities and on conserved areas that are vital to the ecological health and well being of our planet. The Catskill Park, America’s First Wilderness, is such a place. Established by New York State and protected by the state constitution as “forever wild’, it deserves and must receive the highest degree of protection possible. The Premium Energy project would cause permanent and irreparable harm, and, therefore, it must be rejected.
It is the CMC’s opinion that the proposal is without merit and that FERC should deny the application. We encourage individual citizens; to express their opposition by posting a comment with FERC by using this link: https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx. Comments are due no later than April 12.
For more information, you can read comments by the Town of Olive and from other sources here: https://town.olive.ny.us/news/ferc-proposal-for-the-ashokan-pumped-storage-hydro-facility/
VIDEO: Ashokan Pumped Storage Project Informational Meeting by the Town of Olive
Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike at Kelly Hollow | Saturday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
Spring Beauties
What better way to begin the restart of CMC in-person events than with our Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike at Kelly Hollow? This perennial favorite comes when the forests are springing back to life, with budding trees and early wildflowers galore.
This a chance to find and identify the beautiful Spring ephemeral wildflowers which are so named because they appear in early spring when they flower and fruit and then die back, 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 Breeches, Jack-In-The-Pulpit and many others. We may also find some early mushrooms and ramps.
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 abandoned 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.)
We will continue to follow social distancing protocols, with masks on in the parking lot and optional on the trail. Please maintain safe distancing at all times.
Event Duration: About 3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
New Requirements for the 4 Seasons and Grid Programs Begin March 21st
March 12, 2021 Beginning on March 21st, the first day of spring, the requirements for completing the 4 Seasons 140 and Catskills Grid 420 programs will reflect the closure of Doubletop and Graham Mountains to public access by replacing them with Dry Brook Ridge (3465′) and Mill Brook (Ridge) Mountain (3465′), respectively. Both replacements are only 35′ lower than the official high peaks and are in the same Western Catskills region as Doubletop and Graham. Unlike the trailless peaks they replace, both Mill Brook Mountain and Dry Brook Ridge can be traversed on trails. By adopting them for our program, we have chosen to avoid encouraging increased hiking on other trailless peaks. Our choice also aligns the new requirements with those of the Catskills All Trails Challenge.
After March 20th, hikes to the summit of South Doubletop will no longer qualify for the Catskills 4 Seasons 140 program. In no event should any hiker climb either Doubletop or Graham Mountains as they are on private property and have been closed to the public by the landowner, effective January 14th. Trespassers are subject to prosecution.
Smith Pond Trail section closed and a Delhi Trails change in permitted use.
Recent Updates to the Catskills All Trails Challenge Tally Sheet
February 10, 2021 The NYS DEC has recently opened the Red Hill Fire Tower Trail, a 1.4 mile addition that is combined with an older 0.6 mile section of trail to lead to the fire tower from Denning Road. The remainder of the the old trail from Dinch Road, 0.8 miles from the intersection, has been named the Dinch Road Connector.
Earlier, the DEC incorporated an old snowmobile trail into the Vernooy Kill Falls Trail, increasing its length to 3.5 miles. There is a small trailhead in Greenville in addition to the one on Upper Cherrytown Rd.
Catskills All Trails Challenge Update
December 19. 2020 We’re adding a trail section to the list of required hikes! The Vernooy Kill Falls Trail was extended by DEC to be coaligned with the snowmobile trail that goes from Vernooy Falls to Greenville. The section is about 1.8 miles long and there is a small parking area at the Greenville trailhead. The trail is an easy hike and is marked Red. We will update the documents on the CMC webpage.
Doubletop and Graham Mountains are Closed to Public Access
January 14. 2021 Please note that both Doubletop and Graham Mountains are now closed to public access effective immediately.
The private landowners have generously allowed public access for many years. They have decided that recent trends of increased usage by hikers are having a significant negative effect on the wilderness character and ecology of these trailless mountains. Due to their long held concerns for conservation of wilderness, they will end access for all members of the public. As of today, hikers who encroach on these private lands will be in violation of laws against trespass and subject to enforcement measures, including arrest.
Our Catskills Grid and Catskills 4 Seasons programs will designate changes to the required peaks in concert with the decisions made by the Catskill 3500 Club for their list of qualifying hikes. Those new designations should be finalized and available in a few weeks. As of today, no future hikes of either Graham or Doubletop will be accepted as qualifying hikes for the CMC’s two programs.
Announcing a Temporary Partial Closure on the Delhi Trails
CMC Trails Featured in The Reporter
October 6, 2020 “The Hiker’s Guide to the Catskills”, a recently published article in The Reporter, features the CMC trails and lots of other useful info and news about hiking in the Catskills from the CMC, the NYSDEC and the NYCDEP.
Click on the images to expand the view.
CMC Announces Three New Hiking Programs with Patches
October 6, 2020 The CMC is excited to add three new hiking programs that, when completed, will earn qualifiers a beautiful embroidered patch and a certificate commemorating their achievement.
In honor of opening the sixth trail built by the CMC since 2012, we are founding a new hiking program for hikers who qualify by hiking each of the trails built by the club. (A seventh trail will open in 2021, but hikers are free to apply based on completing each of the existing six.) These trails have been designed to appeal to most hikers, both novice and expert. They are on some of the most beautiful lands in the Catskills, are easy to moderate in difficulty and are located near major highways and villages.
T
wo of these programs are being adopted by the CMC, which will assume sponsorship of the Catskills 4 Seasons 140 and the Catskills Grid 420 programs from the Rip van Winkle Hikers. After decades of service to the Catskills which included organizing hikes, maintaining trails and working through membership in the Catskill Park Coalition to bring our issues to Albany, the Rips decided to dissolve the club as of the end of 2019. Among their legacies are these two hiking programs that have earned the respect of serious hikers in our regio
n. The CMC is proud to ensure that these programs will continue into the future.
Find out more about these programs, about the Catskills All Tails Challenge and about each of the trails on their pages on the CMC website.
Note: Previous 4 Seasons qualifiers can receive the newly redesigned patch free of charge by contacting the CMC at info@catskillmountainclub.org.
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.
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/
Andes Rail Trail Hiking Guide
Andes Rail Trail Hiking Guide
The ART begins at the restored Andes Train Station. The easy- moderate out and back hike totals four miles. It follows the old rail bed for about 0.8 miles until ending at private property. This scenic section overlooking the Tremperskill Valley is flat and wide with a few short detours provided for use in wet conditions. Along the way are several nice viewpoints, including one over a beaver pond dammed up on the creek by the resident beavers.
From there the trail turns west (right) uphill onto the Bullet Hole Spur, which climbs the slopes of Hemlock Knoll. The trail is moderate in difficulty, with some short but fairly steep ups and downs.
After a short distance, the trail turns north (right) and after about 0.1 miles makes a sharp switchback to begin climbing a steeper section. This section passes some nice rock formations and glacial erratics in a mixed hardwood forest.
The height of land is reached in about 0.2 mile. The trail then begins a descent soon coming to a lovely fern glade. Just past the glade is a stone wall. The trail makes a sharp turn south before coming to a step-up and crossing the wall.
Directly ahead lies a large spruce plantation. The trail continues straight ahead following a row through the trees before coming to nice views of the adjacent field and the hills beyond. At this point it bears slightly right and descends towards a beautiful grove of old hemlocks.
After crossing the ruins of another stone wall the trail again swings right and loops through the hemlocks. The Bullet Hole Creek (on private land) can be heard and glimpsed to the left side of the trail.
As you walk through the hemlock forest pay careful attention to the markers. You will come to a place where the trail turns north (right). Going straight enters private lands. The trail soon crosses a largely flattened stone wall before reclimbing the hill through the spruce trees and returning to the step-up stone wall crossing. From this point retrace your steps back to the parking lot.
© Catskill Mountain Club (Publish for non-commercial distribution with attribution. Otherwise, contact for permission.)
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.
CMC EVENTS CALENDAR
Photo courtesy of Bill Palmer, Palmer Hill Photography.
February 2020
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1
7:45 AM |
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| 2 | 3 | 4
9 AM |
5
Postponed Hike Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky, Lone, Table & Peekamoose |
6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
7:30 AM Hike Wittenberg, Cornell and Slide
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13 | 14 | 15
7:30 AM |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20
7:30 AM |
21 |
22 |
| 23
10:00 AM |
24 | 25 | 26
7:45 AM |
27 | 28 | 29
7:30 AM |
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2019 Calendar Template © calendarlabs.com
Hike Doubletop, Graham, & Balsam Lake | Wednesday, March 4, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
Dry Brook Valley from Doubletop Mountain
We’ll hike about 10 miles, over 3 Catskills high peaks: Doubletop (3874′), Graham (3868′), and Balsam Lake (3729′), with a total ascent of about 3300′. Our route includes easy trails, and both easy and challenging bushwhacks.
Event Duration: 10 miles, 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult; bushwhack
Hike Panther Mountain | Saturday, February 29, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
Panther and Giant Ledge
We’ll hike Panther via Giant Ledge out and back from the Rt. 47 hairpin. With its spectacular views, Giant Ledge is one of the top destinations in the Catskills and will be far less crowded during winter.
Event Duration: 7 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Hike North Dome and Sherrill | Thursday, February 20, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
Wittenberg, Cornell, Slide and Panther from North Dome
This (mostly) bushwhack will summit 2 Catskill peaks: North Dome (3605′) and Sherrill (3558′). This is the perfect time of year to hike these trailless peaks. There’s a great southerly view from the ledges on North Dome.
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult; bushwhack
Hike Westkill, SW Hunter (Leavitt) & Hunter | Saturday, February 15, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
View from Buck Ridge Lookout on Westkill
This (mostly) trail hike will summit 3 Catskills peaks: Westkill (3898′), SW Hunter (3753′), and Hunter (4030′), the Catskills second highest upon which sits the highest fire tower in New York.
Event Duration: 15 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Wittenberg, Cornell, Slide Hike | Wednesday, February 12, 2010 @ 7:30 AM
Overlook seen from Slide
We’ll hike the Burroughs Range, summiting Wittenberg, Cornell, and Slide. With lots of great views along the way, the one from Wittenberg is one of the nicest in the Catskills. Expect lots of ups and downs as we climb three of the high peaks, including the tallest in the Catskills.
Event Duration: 10 miles, 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
2020 Past Events Calendar
January 2020
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Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 New Year’s Day
8:00 First Day Hike at Ashokan High Point
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2 | 3 | 4
7:45 AM |
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| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
9 AM |
10 | 11 |
| 12
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13 | 14 | 15
7:45 AM |
16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19
10 AM |
20 | 21 | 22 | 23
7:30 AM |
24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
Frick Pond Snowshoe in the Catskills | Sunday, February 23, 2020 @ 10 AM
Frick Pond is a lovely winter snowshoe in Sullivan County in the Catskills.
Woods are varied in flora and have lovely views. Elevation gain small. Distance will depend on snowfall amounts and wind which will determine inner or outer loop hike selection.
DRESS WARM and bring fluids and snacks.
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Westkill Hike and Snowshoe | Wednesday, January 29, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
Hunter Mountain and its fire tower from Westkill
We’ll hike Westkill from the last parking area on Spruceton Rd. The out and back will visit Diamond Notch Falls and Buck Ridge Lookout along the way to Westkill’s 3898′ summit.
Event Duration: 6.8 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
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.
Vly, Bearpen & Halcott Hikes | Thursday, January 23, 2020 @ 7:30 AM
From Vly Mountain
We’ll hike/snowshoe Vly and Bearpen in the morning, eat lunch, and then hike/snowshoe Halcott in the afternoon
Event Duration: 12 miles, 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Kaaterskill High Peak Hike/Snowshoe | Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 9:00 AM
We’ll hike/snowshoe to Kaaterskill High Peak (Ascent 1700′, Elevation 3652′). Our route will include trails, easy bushwhacks with opportunity to practice compass skills, fun scrambles, spectacular views and 2 plane crash sites.
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult, Bushwhack
Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome & Thomas Cole Hike/Snowshoe | Saturday, February 1, 2020 @ 7:45 AM
Blackhead Range
We’ll hike/snowshoe four Catskill High Peaks: Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome, and Thomas Cole. This long, difficult trail hike will reward us with several fantastic views. Total ascent will be about 4700′.
Event Duration: 14 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome & Thomas Cole Hike/Snowshoe | Wednesday, January 15, 2020 @ 7:45 AM
Blackhead Range
We’ll hike/snowshoe four Catskill High Peaks: Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome, and Thomas Cole. This long, difficult trail hike will reward us with several fantastic views. Total ascent will be about 4700′.
Event Duration: 14 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Plateau, Sugarloaf, Twin & Indian Head Hike/Snowshoe | Wednesday, February 26, 2020 @ 7:45 AM
Kaaterskill High Peak from Plateau
Here’s another chance to hike/snowshoe 4 Catskills peaks, Plateau (3835′), Sugarloaf (3783′), Twin(3650′), and Indian Head (3573′) with challenging scrambles and fantastic views.
Event Duration: 10 miles; 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Plateau, Sugarloaf, Twin & Indian Head Hike/Snowshoe | Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 7:45 AM
Kaaterskill High Peak from Plateau
We’ll hike/snowshoe 4 Catskills peaks, Plateau (3835′), Sugarloaf (3783′), Twin(3650′), and Indian Head (3573′) with challenging scrambles and fantastic views.
Event Duration: 10 miles; 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Ashokan Quarry Trail First Hike | Sunday, January 19, 2020 @ 10 AM
Vista including the Burroughs Range
We’re happy to announce a soft opening First Hike on the new Ashokan Quarry Trail to introduce you to it! Afterwards, the trail will be open to the public for hiking according to NYCDEP regulations. (You can find those in our Skills and Info menu.) In Spring the DEP and CMC will welcome the public with an official opening ceremony.
The AQT is located on the Acorn Hill Parcel in Olivebridge. The quarry was one of several used in the construction of the Ashokan Reservoir. Interpretive signage has been installed along the route.
Only two miles long and with an easy climb to the rim of the quarry, the AQT offers an easy hike with historic interest and fabulous views stretching from Ashokan High Point to North Dome and Ticeteneyck Mountains. Features include abandoned infrastructure, the long quarry, a lovely mountain laurel path, and a mixed hardwood and white pine forest.
Map by Liz Cruz Click to open in a separate window and print.
The trail is located 0.2 miles west of the Promenade parking lot which provides access to the dam and its fabulous views over the reservoir. Located south of the reservoir, the AQT will eventually be linked to the new Ashokan Rail Trail via the Promenade.
There is a parking lot at the trailhead, just off Rte. 28A. When full, please use the promenade lot.
Event Duration: 2 miles, 2 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Hike Plateau and Sugarloaf | Friday, December 20, 2019 @ 9:45 AM
Kaaterskill High Peak from Plateau
We’ll hike two Catskills high peaks, Plateau (3835′) and Sugarloaf (3783′), with challenging scrambles and fantastic views.
Event Duration: 6 miles; 5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Hike Hunter, SW Hunter (Leavitt) and Rusk | Tuesday, December 17, 2019 @ 7:45 AM
Hunter Mountain and its fire tower from Westkill
This challenging 12+ mile hike/snowshoe will traverse 3 Catskills peeks: Rusk (3686′), Hunter (4030′), and SW Hunter (3753′), with a total ascent of about 3100′. Our route will be a combination of old roads, herd paths, bushwhacks and trails. We’ll encounter steep difficult terrain, and will be rewarded with great views from the Hunter Fire Tower.
Event Duration: 12 miles; 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult; bushwhack
Ashokan Rail Trail End to End | Thursday, December 12, 2019 @ 8:15 AM
From the Ashokan Rail Trail. –Courtesy Friends of the ART
The new Ashokan Rail Trail has been met with resounding approval. It will be open for its entire length very soon and we will hike it end to end to celebrate its opening. Following the north side of the Ashokan Reservoir, the multi-use trail provides great views along its route. These NYCDEP lands were closed to the public except for fishing and hunting until the trail opened a few weeks ago, so we will enjoy the availability of this route following the long abandoned Ulster and Delaware Railroad for the first time in decades.
Event Duration: 11.5 miles, 7 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate, due to length
Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky, Lone, Table & Peekamoose Hike | Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 7:45AM
Lone and Table Mountains
This challenging 12+ mile hike/snowshoe will traverse 6 Catskills peeks: Friday (3692′), Balsam Cap (3608′), Rocky (3487′), Lone (3700′), Table (3825′), and Peekamoose (3819′), with a total ascent of about 4500′. Our route will be a combination of old roads, herd paths, bushwhacks and trails. We’ll encounter steep difficult terrain, and will be rewarded with great views.
Event Duration: 12 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult – Bushwhack
First Day Hike on Ashokan High Point | Wednesday, January 1, 2020 @ 8:00 AM
Ashokan Reservoir from Ashokan High Point
Ashokan High Point (3086′) is a prominent mountain in the eastern Catskills overlooking the Ashokan Reservoir and the Burroughs Range. Elevation gain is about 2000′. Most of hike is relatively easy, but there are some steep pitches. The trail follows the Kanape Brook for more than half the hike.
This hike is co-hosted by the CMC and the Catskills Visitor Center and sponsored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
Event Duration: 7.6 miles, 7 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Hike in Riddell State Park | Sunday, December 8, 2019 @ 9:00 AM
Robert V. Riddell State Park offers more than 2,000 acres of fields and forested woodlands located in the Susquehanna River Valley. We will hike through the southern section of the park from SR 28 to the Hartwick College Pine Lake Environmental Campus.
NOTE: Hunting is not permitted in Riddell Park.
Event Duration: 4.9 miles, 3.5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Hike the Delhi Trails | Saturday, November 23, 2019 @ 9:00AM
The Delhi Trails are named for in honor of Jean Craighead George’s beloved books My Side of the Mountain, On the Far Side of the Mountain and Frightful’s Mountain, each set in the Catskills. We will hike a loop consisting of the Gribley and Frightful’s Falls Trails. Be prepared for some steep sections as we ascend to the ridge twice. We’ll have some nice views of the Village of Delhi along the way.
Note: Hunting is not permitted on Delhi Trails lands.
Event Duration: 4.3 miles, 3.5 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Fir, Big Indian, Eagle & Balsam Hike/Snowshoe | Wednesday, November 27, 2019 @ 7:45 AM
Balsam summit in winter.
We’ll do a long challenging hike/bushwhack traversing Fir (3629′), Big Indian (3699′), Eagle (3583′) & Balsam.(3607′), with about 3350′ elevation gain. This is one of the longest high ridge hikes in the Catskills. Nice views can be had now that leaves are down.
Event Duration: 12 miles, 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult – Bushwhack
Kaaterskill High Peak Hike | Saturday, November 30, 2019 @ 8:30 AM
We’ll hike/snowshoe to Kaaterskill High Peak (Ascent 1700′, Elevation 3652′). Our route will include trails, easy bushwhacks with opportunity to practice compass skills, fun scrambles, spectacular views and 2 plane crash sites.
Don’t forget to wear blaze orange during hunting season.
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome & Thomas Cole Hike | Sunday, November 24, 2019 @ 8:00 AM
Blackhead Range from the Escarpment Trail
This 14+ mile hike/snowshoe will traverse Windham High Peak (3525′), Blackhead (3940′), Black Dome (3994′) and Thomas Cole (3953′). We’ll encounter beautiful forests, and spectacular views. Total ascent will be about 4700′.
Event Duration: 14 miles, 10 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
2019 Past Events Calendar
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January 2019 |
||||||
|
Sunday |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
| 1 New Year’s Day
10:30 |
2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Postponed due to weather
|
11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19
10:00 AM |
| 20 | 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day |
22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30
Postponed due to weather |
31 | ||
Shawangunks – Castle Point Carriage Trail | Postponed
Catskills from Castle Point, Shawangunks
The carriage roads in Minnewaska Stage Park and Preserve are beautifully maintained for hiking, biking and xc skiing. The views from Castle Point along the Shawangunk Ridge are spectacular. Although the ‘Gunks are only a few miles east of the Catskills, they are an entirely different geological formation with a distinctly different plant community, including dwarf pines. The Wallkill River Valley to the east is an important migration route for raptors and other birds. Join us for a hike in this nearby area.
Event Duration: 9 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Rochester Hollow Hike | Thursday, October 24, 10:00 AM
Historic Rochester Hollow follows a stream for awhile on an old woods road towards the former site of the Colonel Rochester estate. Along the way is a memorial plaque to Catskills’ native son, naturalist and widely read author John Burroughs.
Event Duration: 4 miles, 3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Hike to Huckleberry Point | Tuesday, November 5, 2019 @ 10 AM
Devil’s Path Range from Huckleberry Point
The hike to Huckleberry Point is one of the most satisfying in the Catskills, While it’s a short and moderately difficult trail, it’s in one of the most famously rugged parts of the Catskills, beginning at the Devil’s Kitchen and reaching its stunning destination on the escarpment ledges high above the deep valleys below. The breathtaking views of the ancient mountains of the eastern Devil’s Path Range will make you thankful you came, whether you’ve been before or not. Truly a bucket list hike. We’ll sit for awhile and enjoy the views while we picnic.
Event Duration: 4.8 miles, 4 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Leader(s): Deanna Felicetta
Bring: Dress and bring attire/gear for varied temperatures of the season. Have appropriate footwear. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water!!!
Registration required by November 5th. Use registration form below to register.
Group size is limited to 12 so register early.
Fee: No
Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leader. Bring a leash for when needed.
Additional Information: PLEASE contact leader and cancel if you are not able to come as others may want to. Remember we hike together for safety and FUN!
Questions about this event can be directed to: felicetta.deanna@gmail.com or call 845-216 2021 and NO TEXTING PLEASE! Leave name and number. Please contact leader if you need to cancel.
Driving Directions:
From Exit 20 of the NYS Thruway: Go west 2.1 miles on CR 212 to Blue Mountan Rd,/Rte.35. Turn north 1.4 miles to W. Saugerties Rd./Rte. 33 and turn west. Go 1.9 miles to Platte Clove Rd. and continue straight up the clove. Follow for 2.4 miles until you reach the parking area on the right.
From Tannerville: Just west of town, turn onto Bloomer Rd, and follow it as it becomes Platte Clove Rd. for 6.3 miles until you reach the parking area on the left.
See NY/NJTC trail map # 141.
Friday, Balsam Cap, Rocky, Lone, Table & Peekamoose Hike | Saturday, September 21, 2019 @ 7:45 AM
Table Mountain
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.
Event Duration: 12 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult – Bushwhack
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