New Delhi Trails Opened by the CMC

August 30, 2014  -  The Catskill Mountain Club opened the newly constructed Delhi Trails on Saturday, August 30. The well attended ceremony was held at the trailhead in the Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot on SR 28 in Delhi. Amy Beveridge, project coordinator and CMC board member,  welcomed the crowd and thanked several community organizations and property owners for their support in making the new trails possible. The Delhi Trails were built on lands that belong to the Delaware Academy Central Schools, to the Village of Delhi and to the Immanuel Lutheran Church. They were built with the assistance and financial support of the Town of Delhi, the Bassett Healthcare Network O’Connor Hospital,  the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County, the Rural Health Alliance, the Catskill Ladies Association to Support and Inspire (C.L.A.S.I.) and by SUNY Delhi. Many individuals came out to help with construction, and their efforts were greatly appreciated by all.After the brief remarks, the crowd headed out onto the trails for an inaugural hike. The weather was perfect and so were the trails as nearly 40 people enjoyed the beautiful woods, cliffs and views. The three trails, two named for characters in the novel My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George and one in honor of the Delaware Academy mascot Bulldogs, together cover about 4.5 miles and offer the option of shorter hikes of varying degrees of difficulty. The longer Gribley Trail crosses the mountain ridge above the village in a little over three miles. The Bulldog Run can be combined wih a section of the Gribley to create a loop hike of over two miles. And the Frightful Falls Trail is a short connector, the steepness of which makes its name seem appropriate.This trail project is another built by the CMC to bring hiking opportunities closer to Catskill communities. The trails are designed to accommodate hikers of all ages and most abilities. The CMC feels that these trails will contribute to the physical, social and economic health of our communities. Offering the ability to easily access a place to go for a hike, however long or short, is an important way to help individuals maintain their health. The availability of a nearby place to spend time alone or with friends, family and children will offer a wonderful opportunity for relaxation, fun and meaningful time spent together in an awe inspiring and peaceful setting. And visitors from near and far will avail themselves of the services provided by local businesses when they come to town for a hike. We are convinced that everyone will benefit in some way from the presence of these new trails and that the Catskills will become an even better place to live and to visit.For more information about the trails, including maps, visit the CMC website at catskillmountainclub.org. And please consider becoming a member while you're there. Your support will help with our work to improve outdoor recreational facilities and access in the Catskills.