Autumn Hikes and Hudson Valley Vistas in the Catskill Mountains, New York

The Trip

Enjoy autumn hiking at its best when colorful fall foliage cloaks the historic Catskill Mountains. Visit locales made famous by Hudson River School artists. Walk in the footsteps of the naturalist John Burroughs, who wrote: “How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."

Join us for glorious autumn day hikes in the Catskills and visit one of the highest waterfalls in New York State; explore the site of the 19th century's first mountaintop hotel, located on the edge of an escarpment 2,250' above sea level; investigate flora and fauna of the area; and view scenes painted by 19th-century artists of the Hudson River School. Our trip also includes a wonderful cruise on the Hudson River and a visit to the spectacular Ashokan Reservoir which provides 40 percent of New York City’s daily drinking water needs.

This Sierra Club hiking trip includes:

• hikes along historic and scenic mountain trails
• a visit to one of the highest waterfalls in New York
• hikes to spectacular vistas in the Catskills
• cruise on the Hudson River

During our hikes we will see:

• the unique geology and flora of the Catskills
• glacial lakes
• steep Catskill Mountain passes (locally called cloves)
• dramatic rock formations

In 1885 New York State formed the Catskill Park to protect the mountains that had been stripped of their natural resources. Today, much of the 700,000 acres that encompasses the park are set aside as "forever wild", with most of the 98 high peaks over 3,000 feet lying within the park. An extensive network of hiking trails is available throughout the Catskill Park.

Each morning we will enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack our lunch, and carpool to the trailhead. On our return to our lodge, we can relax and enjoy beverages, snacks, and casual conversation before dinner. We can also take advantage of our lodge amenities: pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, bocce, shuffleboard, ping-pong. Each night our talented chef/owner will prepare a delicious multi-course meal featuring local and seasonal fare. During dinner we will have a brief discussion about the following day’s activities.

We will set aside one or two evenings for discussions/presentations. We hope to have one presentation by a local speaker/author who is an expert in Catskill geography, history, conservation, or flora and fauna. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Catskills. We will also devote one evening to discuss conservation and environmental issues that are of concern to you.

Please note that the itinerary may change due to weather or other considerations.

Day 1: (Check In) Check-in begins after 2:00 p.m. At 5:00 p.m. we will get together for our meet and greet. Following dinner we will have our orientation to discuss trip expectations, conservation issues (Leave No Trace), trail etiquette, group hiking protocols, meeting times, gear, carpooling, and the general trip itinerary. An up-to-date itinerary will be established based upon weather and trail conditions.

Day 2: (North Point) We will start with a visit to the site of the historic Catskill Mountain House. We will then follow the 1,710-foot escarpment above the Hudson River Valley while enjoying views extending east to Connecticut and Massachusetts. Once at North Point we will enjoy lunch and try to catch a glimpse of Albany, the state capital. Approximately six miles RT. 700 ft. elevation gain.

Day 3: (Kaaterskill Falls and Huckleberry Point) If you like waterfalls, this is the one to see. At 260 feet, Kaaterskill Falls is the highest dual cascade waterfall in New York State. An easy half-mile hike will take us to the base of the falls. There are numerous 19th-century paintings of the falls and you will see why these falls were, and still are a favorite of artists. Our day continues with a drive to the trailhead of our hike to Huckleberry Point. Crossing a mountain stream along the way, we will hike through a variety of woodlands to find ourselves on the rock ledges of Huckleberry Point overlooking Platte Clove and the Hudson River. This is a spectacular overlook. Approximately four miles RT. 600 ft. elevation gain.

Day 4: (Excursions) We will start the day with a visit to the Ashokan Reservoir. Put into service in 1915, this is one of the largest New York City reservoirs in the Catskills. We will then drive to Kingston (the first capital of New York State) to visit historic sites that may include the Senate House, Person House, or Old Dutch Church. After a short walking tour of the historic Kingston Stockade district, you will be on your own to purchase lunch. A list and map of dining establishments will be provided. Afterward we will gather together and drive to the historic Kingston waterfront district, where we will board our ship, The Rip Van Winkle, for our narrated Hudson River cruise. We will see the majestic Hudson from the same vantage point that Henry Hudson enjoyed in 1609.

Day 5: (Twin Mountain) Our next hiking adventure takes us on a journey to Twin Mountain, which is one of the six summits along the well-known 25-mile-long "Devil's Path." We will climb to the lower summit and then continue on to the higher summit and  enjoy our lunch with a view. We will then return the way we came. Approximately six miles RT. 1450 ft. elevation gain.

Day 6: (Kaaterskill Clove Escarpment Trail) The Kaaterskill Clove, a deep gorge formed by Kaaterskill Creek, is estimated by geologists to be as much as one million years old and up to 2500 feet deep. Our hike takes us along an escarpment approximately 1,350 feet above the creek. We will have numerous opportunities to enjoy the views both east and west through the clove which was popular with artists and walkers during the 19th century. The trail leads to a popular destination, Boulder Rock, and then continues to the Catskill Mountain House historic site. Approximately six miles. several 250 ft. elevation gains and losses.

Day 7: After eating our final breakfast and packing our lunches, we will say our goodbyes.

Getting There

The Catskill Mountains are about 100 miles north of New York City and 45 miles south of Albany. Our lodge, the Villa Vosilla, is located in the village of Tannersville, NY. The best way to get there is to drive. We do encourage ride-sharing and will provide a roster of trip members for you to arrange that. There is also bus service from NYC and Albany. Participants are expected to provide their own transportation to and from our lodge and to the trailheads and activities each day.

1. Trailways bus from New York City or Albany. Call (800) 776-7548 or visit trailwaysny.com

2. Nearby Airports (approximate driving times noted)

• New York City: Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia Airport (3 hours)
• Westchester County Airport (2 hours)
• Newark, New Jersey (2.5 hours)
• Newburgh, NY (1.5 hours)
• Albany, NY (1.5 hours)

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying at a wonderful family-owned resort: The Villa Vosilla (http://villavosilla.com) in Tannersville, NY. The trip price is based on room sharing (two people per room). Private rooms are available for an additional single supplement fee. Contact the trip leader for more information. All meals at the Villa Vosilla will be served in a comfortable dining room. Participants will pack their own sack lunches from lodge-provided food. The trip price includes all taxes and tips.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is best suited for experienced hikers. Trails in the northeast, and particularly the Catskills, are rocky and often crisscrossed by exposed tree roots. There are steep sections, and elevation gains on our more difficult hikes will be up to 1450'. Distances range from three miles to seven miles. We will alternate hikes so we do not have two difficult hikes in a row. The exact hikes we choose may change depending upon the group's combined abilities and the weather. We will move along at a relaxed, but moderate pace. The leaders will try to keep the group fairly close together so it is important for all participants to be in good physical condition. Well-behaved minors (at least 15 years-old) are welcome when accompanied by a parent and when capable of keeping up with the hiking group. Parents will be fully responsible for their children. Photographers are welcome, understanding that the focus of this trip is hiking, so photographers are expected to keep up with the group. You may opt out of a hike if you choose. If so, we will provide a list of things to see and do in the area.

Equipment and Clothing

Fall temperatures in the Catskills can range from the 30's at night to the 60's during the day. Please bring clothing that can be layered, (no cotton please) as well as rain gear (jacket and pants), waterproof boots, sunglasses, insect repellent, hat, lip balm, water bottles or reservoir (at least 2 liter capacity), and of course your day pack. A complete equipment list will be sent to all registered participants.

References

Maps and guides:

• Catskill Trails map set by the New York New Jersey Trail Conference (njnjtc.org)
• White, Carol and David, Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons.
• Gildersleeve, Robert, Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide.

Books:

• Evers, Alf, The Catskills: From Wilderness to Woodstock.
• Van Zandt, Roland, The Catskill Mountain House.
• Titus, Robert, The Catskills: A Geological Guide; The Catskills in the Ice Age.

Websites:

• Thomas Cole National Historic Site: http://www.thomascole.org/
• Frederic Church Estate: http://www.olana.org
• Catskill Mountainkeeper: http://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/
• Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center: http://www.catskillinterpretivecenter.org
• Visit the Catskills: http://www.visitthecatskills.com/

Conservation

Sierra Club volunteer leaders are committed to the conservation of our wild places and the enjoyment of the outdoors. We will practice Leave No Trace principles during our trip to minimize our impact on the environment. There will be ample time in evening programs and on the trail to share information about the history of the Catskill region. We will discuss the geology, the exploitation of the forests and wildlife, and the effect of the European settlers on the native people that inhabited the Hudson Valley. There are many new environmental issues confronting this historic region and we will bring these up, as well as listen to the conservation issues that concern you.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.