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Leave No Trace Awareness Hike | Saturday, June 23, 9:00 AM
CMC Board member Will Soter is a NYSDEC licensed guide and a Leave No Trace Master Educator. He will demonstrate techniques for educating and influencing those we hike with, as well as those we meet. For those of us who have grown up enjoying the outdoors or have been enjoying them for awhile, we can easily mistake our common experiences for common knowledge. While our efforts to behave as stewards of the resources while we recreate are important, we cannot do it all. So it is important to be able to influence those around us. We will explore several techniques that allow us to educate and empower others to make changes in how they enjoy their time in the woods. We will discuss our own journey of discovering how we impact the resources we use for enjoyment, and we will review the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.Event Duration: 4.1 miles, 5 hoursLevel of Difficulty: ModerateLeaders: Will SoterBring: Gloves, a garbage bag, good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug spray, plenty to drink.Registration required by June 21. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoQuestions about this event can be directed to: Will at upstateadventureguides@gmail.comDriving Directions: From SR 28 in Big Indian, turn south on CR 47/Oliverea-Frost Valley Rd. Go south 12.4 miles to the Biscuit Brook traihead on the left.GPS coordinates: N 41 59.475, W 74 29.092
Family Friendly Hike on Bramley Mountain | Sunday, June 10, 12:00 PM
Join NYSDEC licensed guide Will Soter for a tour of the CMC's newest trail. The Bramley Mountain Trail is located on a NYC DEP parcel in the Towns of Delhi and Bovina. This is the part of the Catskills where the mountains are smaller, rounder and gentler under foot. There is also a greater sense of the scale of the landscape as the views from the summits and the valleys include more wide open sky compared to the deep narrow valleys of the eastern Catskill High Peaks. The complete loop visits the 2817' summit with its site of a former fire tower, a beautiful abandoned bluestone quarry, and the impressive cliffs and caves that lie between. The hike to the quarry is on a woods road with little elevation gain, making an easy hike of about 0.9 miles. After the quarry, the trail continues as a footpath designed to gradually ascend about 1.2 miles through mixed hardwoods while passing stone walls and many impressive rock outcroppings and cliffs, some with caves. The Summit Trail, a 1.8 mile long direct hike to the top with its views to the west and to the southern high peaks, Mount Pisgah and the mountains traversed by the Finger Lakes Trail, has some steep pitches alternating with long gentle climbs. We will be hiking the Quarry Trail to the top and descending on the Summit Trail to get the best views of all the sights this trail has to offer.Event Duration: 4 miles, 3.5 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeaders: Will SoterBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug spray, plenty to drink, map and compass (recommended)Registration required by June 8th. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leaderQuestions about this event can be directed to: upstateadventureguides@gmail.comDriving Directions: The trailhead is located on Glen Burnie Rd. in Delhi, 0.7 miles south of CR 18 and 3.3 miles north of SR 28.GPS coordinates: 42.2993, -74.8360
Guided Hike on the Trails at the CIC | Saturday, June 9, 10:30 AM
If you're unfamiliar with the trails on the Catskill Interpretive Center grounds or are just looking for an opportunity to explore them more thoroughly, CMC Executive Director Wendell George will lead a hike on the entire system as part of the Get Outdoors Day events on June 9th. Join us for a look at the CIC's sculpture and interpretive trail, a short representative hike in the Catskill woods and a hike out to the Esopus Creek, a notable trout fishing stream which ffeds water into NYC's Ashokan Reservoir. Much of the hike is on ADA accessible trails.
Woodland Hike with Yoga: Kelly Hollow Beaver Pond | Wednesday, June 20, 12:00 PM
A relaxed woodland hike with a short yoga session at the Beaver Pond on the beautiful Kelly Hollow Trail.Event Duration: 3 miles, 3 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Leaders: Pamela MartinBring: Bring water, sunscreen, snacks, and comfortable hiking clothes that you can stretch in, hiking boots. No mats needed.Registration required by June 19. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoQuestions about this event can be directed to: pamelamartininc@gmail.comDriving Directions: From Margaretville, West 1.9 miles on SR 28 to the Old School House on the right. Turn left onto BWS Rd 10 (Reservoir Rd.), then immediately right 3.8 miles to Millbrook Road. Turn left 5.4 miles to the Kelly Hollow Trail Parking Area on right. NYNJ Trail Conference map #142, F-5,6.
Balsam and Belleayre: From Mine Hollow to Lost Clove | Saturday, June 16, 8:30 AM
Truly this is when Belleayre and Balsam Mountain are the most lovely, as Spring turns to Summer here. The plant life and views are wonderful. Sometimes you get to see the shy animals and birds that live here, too, as we traverse from Mine Hollow across the mountain tops to descend on Lost Clove.Event Duration: 8 miles, 7 hoursLevel of Difficulty: DifficultLeaders: Deanna FelicettaBring: Dress and bring attire/gear for varied temperatures of the season. Have appropriate footwear. Bring lunch, snacks and plenty of water!!!Registration required by June 14. Register by contacting the leader. See below. Registration requires FULL name, a phone and if you have it, an email address.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.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: Deanna at 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 SR 28 in Big Indian turn south on CR 47/Frost Valley-Oliverea Rd.. Go 0.5 miles to Lost Clove on the right. Turn west and go 1.5 miles to the Lost Clove parking area. NYS Thruway best access us exit 19 for Kingston. Go northwest on SR 28.Meet time is 8:30 am for a shuttle to Ryder Hollow Road just out of Mapledale on the backside of Bellaeyre Mountain. See NY/NJTC trail map # 142.
Landscaping with Non-Invasive Plants / iMapInvasives Training | Saturday, June 2, 9:30 AM
Learn about best choices for landscaping your yard without introducing invasive ornamentals.The fight against invasive species in the Catskills and throughout New York is a high priority. the Catskill Regional Invasive Species Partnership is the local agency for this effort. If you would like to volunteer to help, you can get started by attending a CRISP iMapInvasives workshop at the Catskill Interpretive Center on June 2.Become part of New York’s invasive species early detection network by learning how to use iMapInvasives, an online mapping system shared by citizen scientists, educators, and natural resource professionals. All interested groups are encouraged to help keep the map up-to-date and accurate by reporting invasive species locations and control efforts. You can even use your smartphone to report new findings. The NY Natural Heritage Program will offer free sessions throughout the state this spring, with beginner and advanced levels, plus identification sessions at some of the locations. Visit www.nyimapinvasives.org for schedule details and registration, and contact imapinvasives@nynhp.org with general questions.We hope you wll get involved with this critical effort to protect our forests and native species.
National Trails Day Hike on Ticeteneyck Mountain | Saturday, June 2, 9:30 AM
The New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) will host a community hike to the summit of Ticeteneyck Mountain on June 2 to celebrate National Trails Day. Participants will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Catskill Interpretive Center, located at 5096 Route 28 in Mount Tremper. Led by DEP and DEC staff, the CMC is happy to co-host this event. 
Hikers will learn about the principles of Leave No Trace, the Catskill Park and Forest Preserve, and Ashokan Reservoir’s role in providing clean drinking water to New York City. Ticeteneyck Mountain is located in Ulster County along the town border of Olive and Woodstock. This moderate hike will comprise a 3.5-mile round trip. The hike follows old woods roads and ridgelines that open to spectacular views of the Catskill Mountains,Shawangunk Mountains and Ashokan Reservoir. Because the event is limited to 15 people, participants must pre-register by clicking here or by visiting DEP’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/nycwatershed. Participants are also encouraged to bring water, snacks or lunch, and wear proper attire for hiking.
Thru Hike German Hollow and Dry Brook Ridge to Huckleberry Loop | Sunday, June 3, 8:30 AM
This traverse/shuttle will ascend up German Hollow with spring flowers to Dry Brook Ridge. We will check out the new shelter and go on to views on Dry Brook over the Pepacton. Then we will return north to the Huckleberry Loop Trail and descend to our parked cars.Event Duration: 9.5 miles, 7.5 hoursLevel of Difficulty: DifficultLeaders: Deanna FelicettaBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug spray, plenty to drink, map and compass (recommended),Registration required by June 1st. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.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 maywant to. Remember we hike together for safety and FUN!Questions about this event can be directed to: Deanna at 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 the intersection of SR 28/30 and Fair St. in Margaretville, take Fair St. south 0.2 miles tof Southside Rd. Go south 1.6 miles miles to Huckleberry Brook Spur Rd. Go 0.9 miles to the first parking area on Huckleberry Brook Spur Road, on the left.Please arrive ahead as we will then shuttle to Arkville and Chris Long Road at German Hollow.Hike map #142.
Ashokan High Point | Thursday, June 21, 10:00 AM
This is a fairly long lollypop hike (loop at the end of a stick) with great views of the Askokan Reservoir and the Burroughs Range. The hike passes the wreckage of small plane. Most of hike is relatively easy, but there are some steep pitches. The trail follows the Kanape Brook for more than half the hike.Event Duration: 8.1 miles, 7 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeaders: Jeff Ditchek and John ExterBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug repellant, plenty to drink, map and compass (recommended),Registration required by June 19. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, well behaved onlyQuestions about this event and registrations can be directed to: Jeff at jiditchek@gmail.comDriving Directions: Meet at the Kanape Brook parking area. From SR 28 in Hurley or in Boiceville, take Rte. 28A to the intersection with Watson Hollow Rd (CR42) in West Shokan. Go West 4.1 miles. Parking area will be on your right.From SR 17 take the Liberty exit to SR 55 going east. Turn onto Rte 55A then go north towards Sundown. Follow CR.151, which becomes Peekamoose Road (CR 42) to the parking area on the left.
Balsam Mountain from Rider Hollow | Thursday, May 31, 10:00 AM
With great rewards for the effort, this is one of the most representative hikes of the Catskills. The relatively short loop takes in lovely streams, waterfalls, huge hemlocks, some steep and rocky terrain, and a tremendous vista.Event Duration: 5.1 miles, 5 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeaders: John Exter and Jeff DitchekBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug repellant, plenty to drink, map and compass (recommended),Registration required by May 29. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoAdditional Information: If water is running high, be prepared for fording the stream. Waterproof boots, supplementary water shoes or heavy duty garbage bags that can be cinched above the knees will make for a more comfortable hike.Questions about this event can be directed to: Jeff at jiditchek@gmail.comDriving Directions: From SR 28 in Highmount, turn south onto Galli-Curci Rd. which becomes Todd Mountain Rd. Go about 4.9 miles to Rider Hollow Rd. and turn left/southeast. Drive to the Rider Hollow P.A. at the end of the road.From SR 28 in Arkville, turn south onto Dry Brook Rd. and travel 4.7 miles to Todd Mountain Rd. Turn left/east and go .5 mile to Rider Hollow Rd. Turn right/southeast to the Rider Hollow P.A. at the end of the road.
Hike the Shavertown Trail | Thursday, May 17, 10:00 AM
The Shavertown Trail begins with a moderately difficult climb to a woods road. From there it climbs gently to a lovely pond and beautiful views of the mountains over the Pepacton Reservoir. Beyond the pond is a moderately easy hike to a short loop ending, followed by the return hike.This will be one of the last opportunities to hike the full trail until late this year due to a planned forestry project that will necessitate closing the trail above the pond for several months.Event Duration: 5.3 miles, 4 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate; 800' elevation gain.Leaders: Jeff Ditchek and John ExterRegistration required by May 15. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Bring: good hiking shoes, plenty to drink, lunch, moisture wicking layers that can be shed or added as neededDogs allowed: YesQuestions about this event can be directed to: Jeff Ditchek at jiditchek@gmail.comDriving Directions: From Margaretville follow SR 28/30 west to the intersection where SR 30 turns south (left). Follow SR 30 to the Shavertown Bridge. Immediately before crossing the bridge, turn north (right) to the parking area on the left.From Andes take CR 1 south to the Shavertown parking area on the right, just before the SR 30 intersection.
Ashokan High Point & Little Rocky | Saturday, May 26, 8:00 AM
This hike combines a 9 mile trail loop to Ashokan High Point (3080 feet, Catskill Hundred Highest #83) with a 5+ mile bushwhack to Little Rocky (3015 feet, CHH #95) and a short bushwhack to Little Ashokan. If the weather is clear we'll have great views of Ashokan Reservoir and several high peaks. We'll visit the site of a WW II trainer crash. Our pace will be moderate, and we'll have frequent, short water/snack breaks. This hike is listed as difficult because of its length (about 15 miles), and because of the the unpredictable nature of the bushwhack to Little Rocky.Event Duration: 15 miles, 10 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Difficult -- BushwhackLeader(s): Marv FreedmanBring: 2 to 3 liters of water, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, comfortable waterproof hiking boots, hiking poles (recommended)Registration required by May 19. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leaderAdditional Information: For those working on the Catskill's All Trails Challenge, this hike will complete the Ashokan High Point trail shown on NYNJTC Map 143.The hike duration (10 hours expected) could vary significantly depending on the pace of the group, and how long we spend enjoying the views and exploring the plane crash.Questions about this event can be directed to: marvfreedman@gmail.comDriving Directions: Kanape Brook Parking AreaGoogle Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/pq217zP3pdE2From the intersection of Rt 28A and Watson Hollow Rd (RT 42), drive West 4.1 miles. Parking area will be on your right.GPS: 41.935465, -74.328244
Rochester Hollow Hike | Sunday, May 13, 10:30 AM
Historic Rochester Hollow follows a stream for awhile on an old woods road towards the former site of an estate. Along the way is a memorial plaque to Catskills' native son, naturalist and widely read author John Burroughs.Event Duration: 4 miles, 3 hoursLevel of Difficulty: ModerateLeaders: John WadlinBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, plenty to drink, wear moisture wicking clothing for comfortRegistration required by May 10. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leaderQuestions about this event can be directed to: John Wadlin at jjwadlin@rwhm.com or (845) 254-6342Driving Directions: Meet at the Matyas Rd. Parking area at trailhead. Matyas Rd. intersects SR 28 just west of the Peekamoose Restaurant in Big Indian.
Hike the Palmer Hill Trail | Thursday, April 26, 10:00 AM
Get out for an early Spring hike on the Palmer Hill Trails. The always great views, including to the western high peaks, will be even better with the leaves off the trees.Event Duration: 4 miles, 3 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Easy-ModerateLeaders: Jeff Ditchek and John ExterBring: good hiking shoes, plenty to drink, moisture wicking layers that can be shed or added as neededDogs allowed: NoQuestions about this event can be directed to: Jeff Ditchek at jiditchek@gmail.comDriving Directions: Palmer Hill Overlook at the intersection of SR 28 and Finkle Rd., 2 miles east of Andes and 8 miles west of Margaretville
Escarpment Trail at Kaaterskill Clove and Hardytown LP Traverse | Sunday, July 8, 9:00 AM
This hike follows the ESCARPMENT above Kaaterskill Clove, with views across the clove and out to the Hudson River Valley. We'll follow the Harding Road Trail down the slopes of South Mountain. Do join us for a lovely hike full of fabulous views and wildflowers! Hike about 7.2 miles over steep terrain with many views and scrambles. The yellow marked White Road sectionwill be included for All Trails Challenge hikers. See NYNJTC map #141 map and inset.Event Duration: 7.2 miles, 6-7 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeader(s): Deanna FelicettaBring: Dress in layers of moisture wicking clothing and wool. Long slleves and insect repellent are recommended due to blackflies and ticks. Wear good hiking boots. Hiking poles are highly recommended. Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch.Registration required by Friday, July 6. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leaderAdditional Information: Remember we hike together for safety and FUN! Bad weather cancels. Leave your phone number for updates from the leader.Questions about this event can be directed to: felicetta.deanna@ gmail.com. NO email after WED before hike. Thereafter call 845- 216-2021. Leave email and phone number. No texting, please. PLEASE contact leader and cancel if you are not able to come, as others may want to.Driving Directions: MEET on Route 23A at White Road in Palenville, NY. Route 23A can be reached via the NYS Thruway Exit 20. Get on SR 32 going north to Rte. 23A in Saxton and go west. We'll leave cars at the White Road parking area and car shuttle to the Schutt Rd. parking area near North-South Lake.
Andes Rail Trail Gets Some Big Improvements
April 10, 2018
Parking has always been a bit tricky for visitors to the Andes Rail Trail and Bullet Hole Spur, but no longer. There has been a great improvement to the parking situation thanks to the Town of Andes, landscaper Mel Bellar and CMC board member Ann Roberti. The entrance to the Trail and to the historic train station has been opened up and improved so that parking is now available adjacent to the trailhead. The trailhead itself has a newly redesigned
entrance. The parking area was paved with crushed stone by LaFever Excavating. While there, they generously donated work to improve a long existing drainage problem on the trail. The CMC thanks all those involved in these projects for a great job.
Hike to Split Rock | Thursday, May 10, 10:00 am
Nice spring walk out to Split Rock and return. Just a short hike for a spring day. Spring ephemeral wildflowers may be in bloom.Event Duration: 3 miles, 2.5 hoursLevel of Difficulty: ModerateLeader(s): Bob MosesBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, bug spray, something to drinkRegistration required by May 9. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: Yes, only with permission of event leaderQuestions about this event can be directed to: rmoses@delhitel.netDriving Directions: From Margaretville: Take SR 28/30 west and turn on SR 30 at Dunraven towards Downsville. Go 15.2 miles and turn left on to Holiday Brook Rd. Go 2.9 miles to the top of the hill, Parking area on the left.4256 Holiday Brook RdRoscoe, NY 12776
Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike @ Kelly Hollow | Sunday, May 13th, 11:00 AM
This a chance to find and identify the beautiful Spring Ephemeral wildflowers which are so named because they appear above ground in early spring when they flower and fruit and then die back into the ground, 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 Britches, Jack-In-The-Pulpit and many others. We may also find some early mushrooms.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 the remains of a lovely 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.)Event Duration: 4 miles, 3 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Easy-ModerateLeader(s): Howard RaabBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, bug spray, something to drinkRegistration required by May 5. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 20. As it was well attended last year, I would suggest that you register early.Dogs allowed: Leashed dogs are welcome.Additional Information: Hike will be canceled in case of steady rain. If in doubt, call before 10:00 am Sunday.Questions about this event can be directed to: Howard Raab at howardjraab@gmail.com, or (845) 586-3112.Driving Directions: We will meet at the Old Stone Schoolhouse, 2.2 miles West of Margaretville at 10:30 am or at the trail-head at 11:00 am.Directions: The Kelly Hollow Trail is located on Millbrook Road in the town of Middletown, NYNJ Trail Conference map #142, F-5,6.Directions to trail-head: Go right (west) on the NYC reservoir road across Rt.28 from the Old Stone School House, for 3.7 miles. Then left on Millbrook Road for 5.3 miles to the trail-head parking area on the right.
Hiking the Bluelines: Cascade Brook to Panther Mountain/Giant Ledge | Saturday, October 13, 9:00 AM
This is a series of nine hikes sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Club (CMC) and led by Team Danger Girl (TDG), a Catskill Mountain-based hiking group. Join members of TDG for a scientific and exploratory engagement with Catskill mountain streams. Dorcinda Knauth and Dany Davis will lead this series of off trail explorations. Dany is a geologist with 17 years of experience studying Catskill Mountain streams and will lead the scientific part of these explorations. Other environmental scientists may join some of the hikes. The theme of these hikes can be along the lines of the saying “the journey is the destination”. In other words, the purpose of these hikes is not to put peaks in a collection bag, so the summit is not the ultimate destination. Instead, the hikes will focus on landscape interpretation, exploring wild sections of popular mountains by following the paths of streams, collecting data for a regional Catskill streams study, and maybe getting to the top of a mountain on some of the hikes.There will be two categories of hikes: off trail adventurous explorations and trail-side family friendly engagements with streams. Both categories will include plenty of time sharing observations of the stream channel, ecosystem and riparian environment. We will stop often for discussions on the role of streams in the mountains, collecting some data on the stream’s shape and condition, as well as sharing lessons in landscape interpretation.The family friendly hikes will focus on hands-on engagement in studying a stream at specific stream locations, walking the stream channel corridor to observe changes (expect to get wet) and encourage hikers to appreciate the role of streams in the Catskill environment. If children join, it would be best for the children to be school age and capable of hiking a couple of miles. These hikes will be limited to 10 participants plus the hike leaders (maximum group size is 12-14 depending on the hike).The adventurous off trail explorations will be stream corridor bushwhacks up/down wild Catskill mountain terrain with some trail hiking. Science will be a central part of these hikes and there may be more stream data collection than in the family friendly hikes. The hikes are rated “Most Difficult” due to the variability of the headwater stream terrain, hiking in steep boulder streams, plenty of downed trees, and the ever present unknown one encounters when heading up/down a steep mountain drainage. Each of these hikes will have a mountain summit destination in mind; however, the science and exploration is the primary goal. Conditions may preclude getting to the top of the mountain. The hikes will be limited to 6-8 people plus the hike leaders (no more than 8-10 hikers total). Please note: your hike leaders will not have previously hiked some of these routes so obstacles to forward progress are unknown for some of these hikes – that is part of the adventure. Each hiker will need to consider themselves expert in off trail hiking in mountains. Footwear should be capable of hiking in and out of water (no sandals!).Cascade Brook to Panther Mountain/Giant Ledge. Rating: Difficult. Meeting Place: Giant Ledge PA. The hike will include walking down CR47 to Cascade Brook (~1 mile) to reach the stream route up Panther Mountain then walking along the left descending side of the stream to stay on NYS land for the first 0.5 miles. After that, the hike stays in the stream drainage until it disappears in the talus below Panther’s summit. The route up Panther will be along a SW-trending ridge to the summit view point. From there the return hike is via trail to Giant Ledge and back to the PA. Be prepared for biting insects, loose rocks and other stream scrambling hazards, thick forest, cliffy bits and Catskill yetis. Total Distance: ~7 miles.Event Duration: 7 miles, 9 hoursLevel of Difficulty: DifficultLeader(s): Team Danger GirlBring: lunch, snacks, beverages (2-3 qts).; boots and clothes suitable for bush and stream whacking; optional shoes for walking in streams; headlamp (recommended)/flashlight, bug protection/repellant.Registration required by October 11. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 8, so register early.Dogs allowed: No.Questions about this event can be directed to: Dany Davis at wddavis2@gmail.comDriving Directions: Meeting Place: Giant Ledge PA.From SR 28 in Big Indian, go south 7.3 miles on Oliverea/Frost Valley Rd./Rte. 47 to the parking area on the right.
Hiking the Bluelines: An Exploration of Woodland Creek’s Headwaters | Saturday, September 15, 8:00 AM
This is a series of nine hikes sponsored by the Catskill Mountain Club (CMC) and led by Team Danger Girl (TDG), a Catskill Mountain-based hiking group. Join members of TDG for a scientific and exploratory engagement with Catskill mountain streams. Dorcinda Knauth and Dany Davis will lead this series of off trail explorations. Dany is a geologist with 17 years of experience studying Catskill Mountain streams and will lead the scientific part of these explorations. Other environmental scientists may join some of the hikes. The theme of these hikes can be along the lines of the saying “the journey is the destination”. In other words, the purpose of these hikes is not to put peaks in a collection bag, so the summit is not the ultimate destination. Instead, the hikes will focus on landscape interpretation, exploring wild sections of popular mountains by following the paths of streams, collecting data for a regional Catskill streams study, and maybe getting to the top of a mountain on some of the hikes.There will be two categories of hikes: off trail adventurous explorations and trail-side family friendly engagements with streams. Both categories will include plenty of time sharing observations of the stream channel, ecosystem and riparian environment. We will stop often for discussions on the role of streams in the mountains, collecting some data on the stream’s shape and condition, as well as sharing lessons in landscape interpretation.The family friendly hikes will focus on hands-on engagement in studying a stream at specific stream locations, walking the stream channel corridor to observe changes (expect to get wet) and encourage hikers to appreciate the role of streams in the Catskill environment. If children join, it would be best for the children to be school age and capable of hiking a couple of miles. These hikes will be limited to 10 participants plus the hike leaders (maximum group size is 12-14 depending on the hike).The adventurous off trail explorations will be stream corridor bushwhacks up/down wild Catskill mountain terrain with some trail hiking. Science will be a central part of these hikes and there may be more stream data collection than in the family friendly hikes. The hikes are rated “Most Difficult” due to the variability of the headwater stream terrain, hiking in steep boulder streams, plenty of downed trees, and the ever present unknown one encounters when heading up/down a steep mountain drainage. Each of these hikes will have a mountain summit destination in mind; however, the science and exploration is the primary goal. Conditions may preclude getting to the top of the mountain. The hikes will be limited to 6-8 people plus the hike leaders (no more than 8-10 hikers total). Please note: your hike leaders will not have previously hiked some of these routes so obstacles to forward progress are unknown for some of these hikes – that is part of the adventure. Each hiker will need to consider themselves expert in off trail hiking in mountains. Footwear should be capable of hiking in and out of water (no sandals!).An exploration of Woodland Creek’s headwaters TBD. Rating: Most Difficult. Meeting Place: Woodland Valley Campground PA. The plan will be to bushwhack across the base of the Wittenberg along NYS land to the headwater reaches of Woodland Creek. From there, the assembled group will pick a route up any of the several branches of Woodland Creek, potentially ascending Slide, Cornell or Wittenberg; or just turning around and heading back to the PA. Be prepared for biting insects, stinging nettles, loose rocks and other stream scrambling hazards, thick forest, cliffy bits and Catskill yetis. Total Distance: ~7-12 miles.Event Duration: 7-12 miles, 11 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Most Difficult, BushwhackLeader(s): Team Danger GirlBring: lunch, snacks, beverages (2-3 qts).; boots and clothes suitable for bush and stream whacking; optional shoes for walking in streams; headlamp (recommended)/flashlight, bug protection/repellant.Registration required by September 13. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 8, so register early.Dogs allowed: No.Questions about this event can be directed to: Dany Davis at wddavis2@gmail.comDriving Directions: Meeting Place: Woodland Valley Campground PA.From SR 28 in Phoenicia, go west to Woodland Valley Rd and turn south. Cross the Esopus Creek bridge and turn right. Go 5 miles to the parking area. Be sure to pay the day use fee at the DEC office.