New Hiking Trail Added to the Andes Rail Trail

August 23, 2014  -  This spring brought the completion of the Bullet Hole Spur that extends the Andes Rail Trail an additional 2.2 miles, bringing the option of the total walk to 3.9 miles round trip.The Spur climbs Hemlock Knoll, the ridge above the rail bed, taking hikers through mature hardwood forest, open woodlands covered in ferns and princess pine, magnificent rock outcroppings, an old pine plantation and hemlocks towering above the Bullet Hole Creek.   It is really a beautiful trail, giving the hiker a bit of many different Catskills environments. The Spur is more strenuous than the flat railbed, climbing 250 feet in a half mile, but switchbacks and stone steps help out.  The steep sections are followed by relatively flat areas so you get a nice break after working a little harder.Trailhead located at 266 Depot Street, Andes