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2021 CMC Events Calendar
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Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer.
Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.
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Cabot Mountain, Little Pond, hike and paddle | Friday, August 27, 2021 @ 9:30 AM
We will hike Cabot Mountain on the Touch-Me-Not trail section of the Finger Lakes trail in the Western Catskills. This moderate hike at a relaxed pace, will be a traverse of 4.5 miles with a short shuttle. It will end at Little Pond State campground where we will have an after-hike picnic and have an opportunity to rent kayaks on site. You're also welcome to bring your own boat. Come for just the hike or stay for the whole day. It's up to you. If you are paddling, a PFD is required. Sorry, bringing your pooch is not practical for this outing.Event Duration: 4.5 miles, 4 hoursLevel of Difficulty: ModerateLeader(s): Sharon KleinBring: Water resistant hiking boots, hiking poles, at least 2 liters of water/sports drink, lunch/snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, personal first aid kit, headlamp. map, anything else to keep yourself safe and comfortableRegistration required by 8/26. Register by contacting the leader. See below. Be sure to leave email address and phone number.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoAdditional Information: $10.00 day use parking fee at Little PondCovid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: Sharon at CatsNGunks@gmail.com or (845) 255-1045Driving Directions: Googlemaps: Little Pond State Campground, 549 Barkaboom Rd, Andes, NY 13731. We will meet at the park officeFrom NY-17 Northbound, take exit 96 toward Livingston Manor. Turn right on Debruce Rd. Turn right on Old Route 17 (Rock Ave), and continue for 1.3 miles. Turn Right onto Beaverkill Rd. Pass Lew Beach and continue on Beaverkill Rd. for 3.6 miles, slight left onto Big Pond Rd, then turn left onto Little Pond Rd. Look for signs to the campground.From the north take SR 30 to the Shavertown Bridge. Cross the bridge and turn east (left) 1.9 miles to Barkaboom Road. Turn south (right) and drive 5.5 miles to Little Pond Campground.GPS coordinates: 42.037345, -74.742869
Long Path – Peekamoose to Upper Cherrytown | Monday, August 9, 2021 @ 8 AM
This hike starts with a steep climb up Bangle Hill from Peekamoose Rd, gaining over 1100 feet in 1.1 miles. After the initial climb, the remainder of the hike is relatively level, dropping about 600 feet over 6.4 miles to Vernooy Falls, then dropping another 500 feet in the last 1.7 miles. If the weather cooperates we'll stop for a swim at Vernooy Falls.Event Duration: 10 miles, 9 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult Leader(s): Marv FriedmanBring: Comfortable hiking boots, hiking poles are recommended, lunch, snacks, at least 2 liters of water/sports drink, sun screen, bug repellent, towel/change of clothes if you intend to swim. Map and compass.Registration required by 8/8/21. 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 Catskills All Trails Challenge,this hike completes the 9.65 mile segment listed as Long Path – Peekamoose-Upper Cherrytown on Map 143.Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: Marv at marvfreedman@gmail.com.Driving Directions: Google Maps link to Meeting Point: https://goo.gl/maps/q9smLrMYizFJFAXYAThe meeting point is on Upper Cherrytown Rd. This is where the hike will finish. We'll leave cars there and will drive to a parking area on Peekamoose Rd (GPS: 41.91635, -74.43547 Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/5jm8KA3eYTg7xTcp6) to start the hike.GPS coordinates: 41.86421, -74.34626
Mongaup Loop with Willowemoc and Sand Pond Hundred Highest | Monday, July 19, 2021 @ 8 AM
Starting at the suspension bridge over the scenic Beaver Kill, we'll hike to Mongaup Pond via the Mongaup - Hardenburgh Trail. We'll return via the Mongaup - Willowemoc and Long Pond Beaver Kill Ridge trails. Along the way, we'll summit 2 Catskill Hundred Highest mountains: Willowemoc (3220 ft) and Sand Pond (3057 ft). Event Duration: 18 miles, 12 hoursLevel of Difficulty: DifficultLeader(s): Marv FreedmanBring: Water resistant hiking boots, hiking poles, at least 2 liters of water/sports drink, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, headlamp. map and compass (recommended),Registration required by 07/18/2021. 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 Catskills All Trails Challenge, this hike completes the Mongaup - Hardenburgh, and Mongaup - Willowemoc trails, and the portion of the Long Pond Beaver Kill Ridge trail North of Flugertown Rd.This hike is listed as a trail hike, but short bushwhacks are required to reach the Willowemoc and Sand Pond summits.Elevations listed for these Catskills Hundred Highest peaks are based on the latest NYNJTC map.Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: marvfreedman@gmail.comDriving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/REEJ8aoK3b3Yvbov6From NY-17 Northbound, take exit 96 toward Livingston Manor. Turn right on Debruce Rd. Turn right on Old Route 17 (Rock Ave), and continue for 1.3 miles. Turn Right onto Beaverkill Rd, and follow it for 18.4 miles to small DEC parking area on right.GPS coordinates: 42.01265 -74.622618
Trail Maintenance on Dry Brook Ridge and German Hollow | Friday, June 18, 2021 @ 10AM
Follow Laura Battelani and David Lucas, CMC members, while they inspect trails on the Pakatakan Mountain in Margaretville, NY. It will take approximately 6 hours. Bring water and food. wear sturdy sneakers or boots. dress in layers to accommodate for weather conditions. bring hand tools, gloves, eye protection if you would like to help with clipping, light sawing, weed whacking etc.Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeader(s): Laura Battelani and David LucasBring: Pack lots of water and your lunch and snacks. Wear comfortable layers. Bring a hat and bug spray and rain gear if weather is changeable. Wear sturdy hiking boots/shoes. Bring hand tools, clippers, loppers and/or folding saws if you have them, and gloves and eye protection, if you would like to help with clipping, light sawing, weed whacking etc..Registration required by May 28. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 12, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoRegistration and Questions about this event can be directed to: Laura Battelani at bodyworx@catskill.net or (845) 985-0169.Driving Directions: On Route 28, 40 miles west of Kingston, Village of Margaretville. Half mile after the blinking light at Bridge St., turn right at the intersection with Fair St. Meeting is at the car wash on the right. We will shuttle to the trailheads from here.
GPS coordinates: 42°08’40.6″N 74°39’09.7″W / 42.144613, -74.652681
Paddle the Pepacton, Saturday, June 12, 2021 | 11:00 am
Experience an incredible outdoor adventure, paddling the beautiful Pepacton Reservoir. Join Catskill Mountain Club board member Ann Roberti for a scenic paddle. Bring your own CANOE or KAYAK (it must be steam cleaned prior to putting it in the reservoir — see more below) or rent from a local business that has kayaks stored on site.We will launch promptly at 11 AM from the Shavertown Bridge Recreational Boating Launch site on the north side of the bridge.Duration: We'll paddle about 4 miles and the trip will take 3-4 hours including a lunch break.Bring: drinks, lunch or snacks, sunscreen and a life jacket.Life jackets required. All boats must be steam cleaned prior to arrival on site and have a valid DEP access sticker. Many vendors store boats on site, requiring only that you visit the store to pay and to pick up paddles and PFDs. For more information on regulations, please visit https://cwconline.org/reservoir-boating/ and https://cwconline.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2021-Pepacton-PDF-for-Web.pdfPre-register by Thursday, June 10th by emailing Ann Roberti at aroberti@catskill.net.Directions: From SR 28/30 in Margaretville, go west about 3 miles to the dividing of the highways. Turn south onto SR 30 and go 8 miles to the Shavertown Bridge, turning north onto CR 1 just before crossing the bridge. The Boat Launch is on the left.From SR 28 in Andes, turn south onto CR 1 and travel 8 miles to the Shavertown Bridge Boat Launch on the right.GPS: 42.089442, -74.818263
Paddle on West Branch Delaware River | Saturday, May 22, 2021 @ 10 AM
Kayak or Canoe from Delhi Village launch to Hamden Launch. Approximate 7 miles. Participants to provide their own water craft. Vehicles will be shuttled by carpool from Delhi to Hamden.Event Duration: 7 miles, 6 hoursLevel of Difficulty: ModerateLeader(s): Rick RobertsBring: lunch, life jacket, covid face mask, suntan lotionRegistration required by 5/20/21. Register by contacting the leader. See below.Group size is limited to 10, so register early.Dogs allowed: NoCovid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer.Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: hikerrick2000@yahoo.com or (607) 746-9694Driving Directions: Take NY Rte 28 or 10 to Delhi. From Andes, once over the green bridges in Delhi turn R into parking area just past auto parts store. From Walton or Oneonta, turn onto Bridge St. at red light then left into parking area across from Mirabito station.GPS coordinates: 42.27573, -74.91733
Pepacton Range: Finger Lakes Trail, from Berry Brook Rd to Alder Lake | Monday, June 28, 2021 @ 8 AM
This hike includes 3.3 miles of the Mary Smith trail, and all of the Middle Mountain and Touch-Me-Not Trails, all of them co-aligned with the Finger Lakes Trail. Crossing the eastern and mid-sections of the Pepacton Range, the hike traverses four peaks, including Middle and Cabot Mountains, both just under 3000 feet. With views of Little Pond, Long Pond and Alder Lake, this is a scenic and interesting hike on little traveled trails.Event Duration: 13 miles, 10 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeader(s): Marv FreedmanBring: Water resistant hiking boots, hiking poles, at least 2 liters of water/sports drink, lunch, snacks, bug repellent, sunscreen, headlamp, map and compass (recommended),Registration required by 06/27/2021. 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: Hike starts in Delaware County and finishes in Ulster CountyCovid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: marvfreedman@gmail.comDriving Directions: We'll meet at 8:00 am at the Alder Lake parking area.Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/AFHgNjp9YwxQUmbQ9 (GPS: 42.049790, -74.682688,)then drive to the DEC parking area on Berry Brook Rd.Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/WyB49pFkxTfyh3JFA (GPS: 42.03866, -74.84741) to start the hike.
2021 CMC Past Events Calendar
JANUARY 2021 |
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MARCH 2021 |
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1 11 AM Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike in Kelly Hollow
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15 10 AM Bramley Mountain Hike with Village of Delhi Bicentennial Committee |
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22 10 AM Paddle on the West Branch Delaware River
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SUNY Delhi Students Work on the Bulldog Trails at Delaware Academy
SUNY Delhi students volunteered with the CMC to join in Community Service Day activities in Delhi. Part of the Village of Delhi Bicentennial celebration, the crew worked on maintenance of the Bulldog Trails on Delaware Academy lands. The day's vols were 4-year veterans of the CMC/SUNY Delhi collaboration. We are so proud to work with these great students on a project that serves the Delhi and Catskills hiking communities. 
Bramley Mountain Hike | Saturday, May 15 @ 10 AM
Enjoy a 3.5 mile loop hike on Bramley Mountain. The hike will go through an abandoned quarry 1.9 miles to the summit which was the site of a fire tower. See the remnants of the fire tower, learn about its history and about the current project to rebuild it. The top of the mountain features wide-open views of the Delaware River Valley and the Western Catskills.
The trail is moderately difficult, and we will be hiking at a leisurely pace. Hike will start at 10:00AM at the Bramley Mountain Trailhead on Glen Burnie Road.Sign up by May 8th with John Sandman at sandmajm@delhi.edu. Please put Bramley Hike in subject line.This hike is sponsored by the Delhi Village Bicentennial Committee and by the Catskill Mountain Club. Rain date May 16.
Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer.
Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.
Hike Dry Brook Ridge, Mill Brook Rd to Margaretville | Monday, May 3, 2021 at 8 AM
Meet 8:00 at hike finish in Margaretville: https://goo.gl/maps/HEiNyk3n3h42.We'll leave cars there and drive to the DEC parking area on Mill Brook Rd. to start the hike: https://goo.gl/maps/sSwf7RH81L72This hike is mostly on the Dry Brook Ridge trail, but we'll take a short, optional, bushwhack detour to the Dry Brook Ridge summit.
Event Duration: 10 miles, 8 hoursLevel of Difficulty: Moderate-DifficultLeader(s): Marv FreedmanBring: good hiking shoes, lunch, snacks, bug spray, plenty to drink, map and compass (recommended),Registration required by 05/02/2021 date. 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: Hike starts in Ulster County and finishes in Delaware CountyCovid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.Registration and Questions about this event can be directed to: marvfreedman@gmail.comDriving Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/HEiNyk3n3h42GPS coordinates: 42.143944, -74.649472
Work at the Delhi Trails
April 21, 2021 
This past year has been a time change for the Delhi Trails. First, a logging operation began that forced the closing of the northern section of the Gribley Trail last fall and was then suspended for winter. It will resume soon. Watch for an announcement of the temporary closing of the trail.Second, the southern section of the Smith Pond Trail was closed due to the wishes of the private landowner, who had previously permitted it. We are currently working on a rerouting that will include two sections. One section will return to the Smith Pond kiosk on Rt. 28. A spur will connect to the parking lot at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Hikers will be able to hike a loop and return to either of the parking areas. (Please do not park in the church lot during Sunday services.) Overflow parking is available at the Sheldon Drive parking lot on the north side of Delaware Academy.Third, later this year we will reroute part of the Gribley Trail so that the hiking trail is not co-aligned with the snowmobile trail. By doing so, we will create a safer and better experience for snowmobilers and for hikers.Happy Hiking.
CMC WIll Resume In-person Events Schedule on May 1st
CMC Comments on Proposed Pumped Storage Project in the Catskill Park
An Unacceptable Proposal
While we support all responsible efforts to create alternative means of producing electric energy, those efforts must take into account the effects on communities and on conserved areas that are vital to the ecological health and well being of our planet. The Catskill Park, America's First Wilderness, is such a place. Established by New York State and protected by the state constitution as “forever wild', it deserves and must receive the highest degree of protection possible. The Premium Energy project would cause permanent and irreparable harm, and, therefore, it must be rejected.It is the CMC's opinion that the proposal is without merit and that FERC should deny the application. We encourage individual citizens; to express their opposition by posting a comment with FERC by using this link: https://ferconline.ferc.gov/QuickComment.aspx. Comments are due no later than April 12.For more information, you can read comments by the Town of Olive and from other sources here: https://town.olive.ny.us/news/ferc-proposal-for-the-ashokan-pumped-storage-hydro-facility/
VIDEO: Ashokan Pumped Storage Project Informational Meeting by the Town of Olive
Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike at Kelly Hollow | Saturday, May 1st at 11:00 AM
What better way to begin the restart of CMC in-person events than with our Annual Ephemeral Wildflower Hike at Kelly Hollow? This perennial favorite comes when the forests are springing back to life, with budding trees and early wildflowers galore.
This a chance to find and identify the beautiful Spring ephemeral wildflowers which are so named because they appear in early spring when they flower and fruit and then die back, 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 Breeches, Jack-In-The-Pulpit and many others. We may also find some early mushrooms and ramps.
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 a lovely abandoned 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.)
We will continue to follow social distancing protocols, with masks on in the parking lot and optional on the trail. Please maintain safe distancing at all times.
Event Duration: About 3 hours
Level of Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Leader: Howard Raab
Bring: hiking shoes, snacks/lunch, bug repellant, and something to drink.
Registration required by April 30th. Register by contacting the leader. See below.
Group size is limited to 12. As it is a very popular event, I would suggest that you register early.
Leashed or well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Additional Information: In case of steady rain the hike will be moved to Sunday, May 2nd . If in doubt, call before 10:00 am on Saturday.
Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer. Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.
Questions about this event can be directed to: howardjraab@gmail.com, or
(845) 586-3112.
We will meet 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: 2.2 miles West of Margaretville on Rt.28 go left across from the Old Stone School house and then right on the NYC reservoir road (BWT10) for 3.7miles. Then left on Millbrook Road for 5.3 miles to the trail-head parking area on the right.
GPS: 42.079007, -74.649885
New Requirements for the 4 Seasons and Grid Programs Begin March 21st
March 12, 2021 Beginning on March 21st, the first day of spring, the requirements for completing the 4 Seasons 140 and Catskills Grid 420 programs will reflect the closure of Doubletop and Graham Mountains to public access by replacing them with Dry Brook Ridge (3465') and Mill Brook (Ridge) Mountain (3465'), respectively. Both replacements are only 35' lower than the official high peaks and are in the same Western Catskills region as Doubletop and Graham. Unlike the trailless peaks they replace, both Mill Brook Mountain and Dry Brook Ridge can be traversed on trails. By adopting them for our program, we have chosen to avoid encouraging increased hiking on other trailless peaks. Our choice also aligns the new requirements with those of the Catskills All Trails Challenge.After March 20th, hikes to the summit of South Doubletop will no longer qualify for the Catskills 4 Seasons 140 program. In no event should any hiker climb either Doubletop or Graham Mountains as they are on private property and have been closed to the public by the landowner, effective January 14th. Trespassers are subject to prosecution.
Smith Pond Trail section closed and a Delhi Trails change in permitted use.
Recent Updates to the Catskills All Trails Challenge Tally Sheet
February 10, 2021 The NYS DEC has recently opened the Red Hill Fire Tower Trail, a 1.4 mile addition that is combined with an older 0.6 mile section of trail to lead to the fire tower from Denning Road. The remainder of the the old trail from Dinch Road, 0.8 miles from the intersection, has been named the Dinch Road Connector.Earlier, the DEC incorporated an old snowmobile trail into the Vernooy Kill Falls Trail, increasing its length to 3.5 miles. There is a small trailhead in Greenville in addition to the one on Upper Cherrytown Rd.