Bramley Mountain Trail Opens

July 30, 2016On July 29 the CMC's newly constructed hiking trail on Bramley Mountain in the Towns of Delhi and Bovina officially opened to the public. Built on NYC DEP lands, the 4 mile trail is open year round.The ceremony began with comments by DEP Deputy Commissioner Paul Rush, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce President Ray Pucci and CMC President Rick Roberts. Each spoke about the importance of DEP's efforts to open its lands to public recreational use. Among the benefits of greater access are increased options for a range of low impact outdoor activities, economic growth due to increased visitorship and improved health for community members due to the proximity of attractive recreational options.Following the ribbon cutting, the large crowd headed off for the inaugural hike. Some participants chose to take the easy hike to the quarry and then return to the parking area, while others continued up the trail. After we reached the summit and enjoyed the views we took a little break for lunch or a snack, only to be surprised by a brief shower that chased us off the top. As we descended, we ate raspberries growing beside the trail and noticed that the blackberries will be rippening soon. There are tons of them, so we'll be back for the feast in a few weeks.The Bramley Mountain Trail is one of five that the CMC has built over the last five years. To celebrate that work and for the convenience of hikers, we've published a brochure that provides a map and describes each of them. Look for it at the trail registers, in visitor information sites in the villages and at the Catskill Interpretive Center on State Route 28 in Mt. Tremper.Click here for WBNG News coverage:  http://www.wbng.com/news/local/A-new-hiking-trail-opens-at-Bramley-Mountain--388708722.html?vid=a

The Bramley Mountain Trail is Set to Open on JULY 29 at 12:00 PM

We are thrilled to announce, along with the NYC DEP, that the new Bramley Mountain Trail will be officially opened to the public on July 29 at Noon. The CMC designed and built the trail, our third in partnership with the DEP. There will be a brief ceremony followed by a guided hike. The event is free and DEP permits are not required to hike on this parcel.The trail is on a 1243 acre parcel and summits the mountain at 2817', one of the two westernmost 2800+ foot peaks in the Catskills. Bramley was once the site of a fire tower. The spectacular views from the summit ledges take in parts of the southern high peaks, Mount Pisgah and the mountains traversed by the Finger Lakes Trail. A short hike west is a view over the northwestern foothills and the farms that occupy them. Other features of the hike include a significant abandoned bluestone quarry, a small pond, numerous stone walls and foundations, and the fabulous cliffs and caves that lie between the quarry and the summit.We invite you to come join the fun on this special day. If you can't, the trail is open year round. The trailhead is located on Glen Burnie Rd., about 0.7 miles south of CR 18 in Delhi.

Congratulations to the Four New CATs Challenge Qualifiers

National Trails Day - June 4th, 2016The CMC is happy to announce on this National Trails Day that four more hikers have recently completed the Catskills All Trails Challenge! Congratulations to Johnny Witter (#20), Richard Williams (#21), Brian Bacher (#22) and Michele Corn Farrell (#23).It's good to have a special day to celebrate hiking trails all across our land. It's better to get out and hike them with dedication and love, as these four did when covering every foot of the 350 miles of hiking trails located in the Catskill Park!As Michele put it, "Thank you for coming up with a patch and challenge to redline the Catskill Mountains. Without this I would have never discovered so many great remote and amazingly beautiful locations.....we would have whole days and sometimes a backpacking overnight filled with hours of mud, snow, rain, sweat, painful uphills, scrapes from over grown prickers, backtracking for little half-miles previously missed, silly circles to make sure every inch of trail was accounted for and thousands of hours of joy and laughter." Now, that's what it's all about!

Lucky Rescue on the Pepacton Leaves Victim Chipper

Boaters at the CMC's season opening May 28 Paddle the Pepacton event rescued a chipmunk found struggling far from shore in the cold reservoir waters. We've seen beavers, deer, bears and other four-legged bathers in the past, but never before a chipmunk.

 After picking the chippy out of the water, the rescuers paddled to shore with it sitting on the bow of a kayak as it watched the land approach. As soon as they were within jumping distance, the chipmunk leapt and scampered off into the woods, safe and dry.    One can only the amazed that it managed to avoid being eaten by one of the many bald eagles or huge trout that call the Pepacton home. Now that's a lucky day!

A Great Day Working on the Porcupine Caves Trail

Friday, May 27, 2016Eight volunteers came out on a nice day yesterday to work on the new Bramley Mountain Trails. We put in about 40 hours of work collectively, cleaning the entire Porcupine Caves Trail of leaves, loose rocks, limbs and any remaining woody plants that were in the path. We did some sidehilling, built stairs and placed steps in potentially wet areas, too.  We also installed the roof on the trailhead kiosk. Our work is nearing completion and we'll have a weekend work trip soon. As always, we welcome your help.   Special thanks to Kathy Mario, Don Harris, John Exter, Jeff Ditchek, Elda Stifani, Bob Moses, and Rick Roberts for coming out to lend a hand!We're getting excited about the upcoming official opening of the trails. Please look for more information regularly and join us for the ceremony and inaugural hike! 

Invasive Species Workshops Prepare Volunteers for the Battle to Save Catskill Forests

On May 14 and then again on May 21 the CMC and several partners, including the Catskills Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP), sponsored events at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center that addressed the problem of two invasive insect species that are causing severe damage to Catskills forests. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) are spreading rapidly and causing the deaths of thousands of two of the most important tree species in the Catskills. The impacts, especially those from the loss of hemlocks, will be widespread and could fundamentally alter our ecosystem, affecting not only the forest and its inhabitants, but also our streams, our fish and other aquatic wildlife, and our water quality. Indeed, some impacts to the forests are already obvious to even casual observers.Many thanks to our presenters, Mark Whitmore of Cornell University, Jennifer Dean of the NY Natural Heritage Program and Dan Snider of CRISP for there insights and dedication. And thanks to all who attended for their concern and commitment to the task at hand.For those who were unable to attend these events, training in recognition, assessment and reporting is available through the NY Natural Heritage Program's iMapInvasives project and from CRISP. For more information please visit these websites.

Saturday, May 21, 1 PM | Training for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Identification and Reporting

Join Dan Snider of the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership (CRISP) for a field training in the identification of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid infestations and how to report your findings. HWA is a big threat to or Catskill forests. There are ways to limit the damage, but monitoring the forests for up-to-date conditions is essential. As a hiker, fisherman, birder ot other outdoor enthusiast, you will be able to make a significant impact on the success of the effort to control and eradicate these pests.The event will take place at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center on SR 28 in Mount Tremper.

Saturday, May 14, 1 PM | The Impending Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Disaster and How to Stop It

For some years now, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid has been spreading through the forests of the eastern United States, including here in the Catskills. This tiny invasive insect attaches to the underside of hemlock needles and feasts on the plants vital fluids, resulting in the eventual death of the tree.We here in the Catskills have the opportunity to stop HWA before it completely devastates our vast hemlock forests. Some other regions no longer have that option. In the Great Smokey Mountains the mortality has turned hills and valleys a deathly grey-brown, upending centuries of ecological balance and leaving huge vistas comprised of skeletal trees. If we fail to act here in the Catskills, our forests will share that fate.Fortunately, New York is waking up to this possibility. Dedicated foresters, botanists and invasive species specialists are mobilizing to stop the attacks on living trees while they can be saved and stopping the spread on HWA in its tracks. But this is no small task as the hemlock is one of the foundational species of the Catskills, as well as of other areas in New York such as the Adirondacks. The battle requires the commitment of financial resources, and that seems to be beginning, though not nearly enough and too slowly still.For outdoor enthusiasts, whether hikers, fishermen and women, hunters, birders and all others who venture into the woods, there is an important role to play. With sharp eyes and a little knowledge we can help to identify both existing and potentailly infected stands and report the conditions in those stands. In that way, we help make it possible for the professionals to work more efficiently and effectively. We can also let it be known to our elected officials that this fight is a high priority for us, and that we want their attention and support. Indeed, the Catskill Park Coalition (of which the CMC is a founding member) has taken the message to Albany. You can amplify that voice by contacting your legislators and the governor.On Saturday, May 14th at 1 PM a lecture and workshop on the scope of the problem, some solutions and how to get involved will take place at the Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center in Mount Tremper. The following Saturday, May 21st a field training will be offered at the same time and place. On June 11, again at the CIC, noted Catskills forest historian Dr. Michael Kudish will give a lecture on the history of hemlocks in the Catskills from the ice age forward through the great harvesting of the trees for the tanning industry that once dominated the local economy. For the sake of our environment, our natural history and our economy, all who can attend will be equipped to help the cause of ending this threat. We hope to see you there!

Now Available! Maps of CMC built trails on your iPhone and Android devices!

Using the free PDF Maps App for iPhone or Android from Avenza, and the CMC's free maps available in their map store, you can now follow your route as you hike the trails built by the Catskill Mountain Club: the Palmer Hill Trail, Shavertown Trail, Andes Rail Trail and Bullet Hole Spur, the Delhi Trails and soon, the Bramley Mountain Trail.  There is also a beta version for Windows phones.find out more....  

Bramley Mountain Trail Scheduled to Open in Late Spring

We've recently made some real progress in the construction of our new trail on Bramley Mountain. The trail route is nearly finalized... a few more tweaks are needed before we start clearing and grading the path.The big news is that the parking area has been completed! We want to thank LeFever Excavating for donating culvert pipe and the Clark Companies for donating gravel for the project. Many thanks to SUNY Delhi students for designing and constructing our new trailhead kiosk. And special thanks to the Town of Delhi Highway Department crew and to Superintendent Darren Evans for bringing out the heavy equipment and getting the job done. Nice work, guys!

ATV Bill Allowing Access to Park and State Forest Hiking Trails Defeated

Great news! The ATV bill was stricken from the New York state budget. The bill would have allowed ATVs to use the trails in our parks and forests, doing great damage to the environment and creating unsafe conditions for other users. Our efforts, along with those of many other allied organizations including the Adirondack Mountain Club, the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and the Catskill Center, paid off. Thanks to everyone who sent letters and made phone calls asking Albany to defeat this effort!

NEWS FOR CATSKILLS ALL TRAILS CHALLENGE HIKERS

Want to report the trail conditions that you find while hiking the CATs? The recently formed CATSKILLS TRAIL CONDITIONS group on Facebook is a great place ot share your information and comments. You'll need to have a Facebook account to access the group page and to post comments and pictures. By joining, you'll be sharing helpful up-to-date information with a rapidly growing hiking community, and enjoying other members insights into what you may encounter on your hikes. Win, win! Sign up for a Facebook account and get started by signing in here: www.facebook.com/groups/CatskillsTrailConditions

Help Protect New York's Parks, Preserves and State Forests from ATVs

We have just learned of a proposal currently being considered by the NY State Senate that will have devastating impacts on potentially all lands managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, including the Wilderness and Wild Forest areas of the Catskill Park and of the Adirondack Park - lands that are designated as "forever wild" by the NY State Constitution.Special interests are trying to push through a bill that will open these protected natural treasures to All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) usage. This irresponsible legislation would allow New York's 250,000 ATVs access to our parks and forests, where they would gouge deep ruts into trails, illegally ride roughshod off trail, cause extensive and irreparable damage to vegetation, disturb wildlife, and bring noise and pollution into the very heart of our pristine natural recreation areas. It would even allow children as young as 10 to operate these machines on public roads and lands!This proposal has been included in the state budget bill, "must pass" legislation that will be acted on during the next few days. We appreciate very much our members and friends actions to help us achieve our Catskill Park funding goals to protect and improve the Catskills. Now we must ask you to help prevent this destructive policy from being enacted.Please follow this link to the Adirondack Mountain Club's web letter addressed to Governor Cuomo and Senate President Flanagan and let them know that you want this language removed. The letter can be customized with your own comments in the field below the text. Then call your State Senator to let them know what you think. Enter your address here to find your Senator.Thank you once again for helping to preserve and protect New York's great Parks and public forests! 

Spring is Here - Get Ready for Some Ephemeral Wildflower Sightings

March 20, 2016The robins have been back for a week or so now. The snow is long gone except on some shaded slopes of the high peaks and the ice is quickly disappearing. A little chill is in the air for a few days, but mild temperatures have been the rule this winter and they will return very soon. The buds are swelling on some trees and crocus, dwarf daffodils and other early bloomers are showing their colors in sunny, protected environs.Yep, it seems undeniable that Spring has sprung unusually early here in the Catskills. We may get a late wintry surprise, but at this point it seems unlikely. Time to dust of the field guides, plan the garden and start dreaming of nature's glorious show that is about to delight us once again.Take a few minutes and look at our Common Wildflowers of the Catskills page here. It's sure to please. 

Parking Problems at Overlook Mountain Trailhead

These pictures are from a recent weekend at the Meads trailhead on Overlook Mountain. The popularity of the hike means that the trailhead parking area is full to capacity early on any weekend and on many other days, too. People then park on the sides of the road, often illegally, which creates hazardous conditions for drivers and pedestrians. The narrow road can become difficult for emergency vehicles to use, so it is crucial that hikers park legally. You can download a map of the area below, which will help you avoid getting a parking ticket.          Print PDF map here: Overlook_parking

IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED! LET'S STAND TOGETHER FOR THE CATSKILL PARK AND FOREST PRESERVE!

March 14, 2016Over the next several days, the NY State budget for the coming fiscal year will be drawn up. It is crucial that New Yorkers act now to support the budget request for a line in the Environmental Protection Fund designating $4M for the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve. Never before have we had such an opportunity to secure support for the ongoing infrastructure, environmental protection, and community development needs of our Park. When enacted, this budget line will, for the first time, allow long term planning and timely response to developing needs in the Catskills. As we deal with issues from invasive species management to stewardship of our vast public lands and ecosystem, from maintenance and development of recreational facilities to plans for the increasingly greater tourism in the Catskill Park and region, it is incumbent on us to put in place the means for addressing these needs. By securing a line in the annual state budget, we will have the ability to do this important work. The Assembly and the Senate Democrats have agreed to our request. We now need Senate Republicans to sign on.PLEASE take a minute right now to show your support for the Catskill Park. Catskill Park Coalition member Catskill Mountainkeeper has posted a letter online that you can sign onto. Click here to be taken to the letter: http://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/park_budget.  Just fill in the required fields and your letter will be delivered. When you've finished, please pick up the phone and call Governor Cuomo's office (518-474-8390) and let him know that you support a dedicated $4M Catskills line in the EPF.If you live in the Catskills, you can have a significant additional impact by calling your state senator. Their districts and phone numbers are as follows:James Seward,     S 51               (607) 432-5524John Bonacic,       S 42               (845) 344-3311George Amedore, S 46               (845) 331- 3810The CMC in partnership with nearly 30 other area organizations formed the Catskill Park Coalition to better represent the needs of our Park and area to our state and local government leaders. The fact that we are in a position to accomplish such a significant goal is testament to that vision, to our work and to the support of our communities.Thank you for your support of this important initiative! 

Welcome to the (very exclusive) Club

The CMC is happy to announce that two more long time hikers have qualified for the Catskills All Trails Challenge Certificate of Completion. Kathy Mario (#18) and Jim Gebhard (#19) completed the requirements this winter. Both Jim and Kathy say that they were encouraged by friends who are themselves qualifiers! That makes us feel like we've started something pretty cool.The Challenge attracts dedicated hikers, new and experienced, to our 350 miles of hiking trails, all of which must be hiked in order to qualify for the awards. Nope, you can't buy a membership, nor can you buy the shirt or the patch. Not with money, anyway. A little blood, sweat and tears will do. You can learn more about it here.

Watershed Steward Program

Many of us who paddle the Pepacton Reservoir frequently tout its many charms to other paddlers and would-be paddlers.  We also pick up litter and debris we find, and help people who want to know how they can paddle, sail or fish on the Reservoir.  The DEP is looking for people who are interested in doing this in a more formal manner, as part of their pilot Watershed Stewards Program.   If you'd like to join us and become part of this program, click here to learn more and then contactLydia Lewis at the DEP at (845) 340-7855 or llewis@dep.nyc.govWe hope to see you at the training session on March 30^th at 6:30 at the Catskill Watershed Corp. in Margaretville.

CATSKILL PARK AWARENESS DAY IS A GREAT SUCCESS

45 volunteers from the CMC and our Catskill Park Coalition partners paid a visit to Albany yesterday to talk with some 47 members of the New York State Senate and Assembly. We took the message of our plans and needs for the Catskill Park, and its role as a main economic driver for our region, seeking support for funding a wide variety of priorities to improve and protect this great natural ecosystem and recreational destination. These included funds to fight invasive species, build and improve infrastructure, and support programs that help our visitors better enjoy their time in the Catskills. (Read more about our goals and how you can help: https://catskillparkawarenessday.splashthat.com/) CMC President Rick Roberts and Vice President Wendell George served as team leaders for the day, along with six other partners. We are happy to report that we received a great deal of encouragement and support from many of the legislators that we visited.While there, the Coalition delivered over 1835 petitions of support for our requests to the governor from members of the public. The following weeks will be very important to our success. So, if you have not already, please click on the link above and use it to find and contact your representatives in Albany. Let them know of your support for our efforts. All New Yorkers, and especially those who reside in or love to recreate in the Catskills, will benefit from our success as we BUILD A MODERN PARK.

Catskill Park Awareness Day 2016 - A Time for Action

On February 9, the CMC and some 30 partner organizations of the Catskill Park Coalition will head to Albany to deliver a call to action to our state government leaders. The message will focus their attention on the needs and aspirations of our region and, especially those of the Catskill Park.Even while we suffered massive cuts in funding for stewardship, planning and capital improvements during the recent great recession, we have had a huge increase in usage. Economic realities that saw many people focus their travel plans closer to home have now combined with increases in visitors from around the world. From feature articles naming the Catskills one of the top “must visit” destinations in the world (see here and here) to Governor Cuomo's recently announced initiative to spend $5M on advertising to promote the Catskills worldwide, we realize that these important achievements mean that we must rise to the occasion to meet the challenges that the increased use of our recreational assets will bring. On the basis of this knowledge, we are seeking funding for a number of programs and initiatives that will help address these needs.Please take a look at our list of priorities on the web page linked to here. You will find a sample letter that you can use to send a message of support to your state legislators. You'll also find a petition to sign that will be delivered with our requests. Your support is crucial to our success, so please act now. It will take a few minutes to inform yourself and act, but the positive results for the Catskills that we love will last for years.