Saturday, August 15, 3 PM - Hike Phoenicia’s Tan Bark Trail

After attending the Catskill Great Outdoor Experience Festival in nearby Mt Tremper, join Aaron Bennett of the Catskill Mountain Club for a hike departing directly from one of our beautiful main streets in the central Catskill Mountains. Leave your car on Main Street in Phoenicia and enjoy this moderate, 2-mile loop hike led by the CMC, and then re-fuel afterwards with some of the best post-hike food and drink around right here in town. The hike will follow a portion of an historic tan bark trail and an old quarry road that once provided access to the bluestone quarries and hemlock forests back in the 1800s. Interpretive signage along the route will help tell us the story. Expect spectacular views of the Esopus Creek valley from both the Grand View Ledge and the Phoenicia Overlook on the slopes of Mount Tremper. The hike has several short, very steep inclines/declines with an overall elevation gain of 700’ - so hiking shoes/boots are a must. Meet at 3PM at the trailhead located in the Phoenicia Park/Parish Field. Group size is limited, so please register by contacting Aaron at abennett@catskill.net. Bring snacks and plenty of water (and a camera).Directions:The trailhead is located by the playground equipment in the Parish Field just off Main Street in Phoenicia.Traveling west on Route 28 (from Kingston) turn right into Phoenicia just after the Phoenicia Diner. Cross the railroad tracks and bridge. At intersection, turn right and park on Main Street. Proceed back to intersection on foot and follow Mt Ava Maria Drive walking past the grocery store and Post Office. Entrance to the park is on the right.Traveling east on Route 28 (from Pine Hill) turn left into Phoenicia on NYS Rte 214, proceed straight through town on Main Street, and park on the east end of town, (near the funeral home and grocery store). Proceed down Mt Ava Maria Drive (between Gormley Funeral Home and the Phoenicia Market) on foot, and entrance to the park is on the right after the Post Office.