Catskill Country Romance

February is here and which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Let nature set the scene for romance with glistening white snow and starry nights. All you have to do is call and make a reservation! Treating your partner to a romantic weekend in the beautiful Catskill Mountains is the ultimate weekend getaway for two. You won't regret it!  To help you in that quest, and in honor of the holiday of romance, area merchants (in cooperation with Cupid!) have put together some amazing packages to celebrate.

Rad Romance at the Roxbury

Whether you are trying to light a fire or rekindle a flame, our package is bound to ignite sparks. How

about fine chilled champagne on ice, fresh exotic flowers, and a gourmet cheese platter?  Your romance

will then soar to a new height with a “couples massage” during which our therapist will teach you the

techniques for giving each other’s bodies whatever they need… and then leaving you alone to luxuriate

in our new Shimmer Spa. To entice your taste buds, you will dine at the area’s most scrumptious eatery,

Peekamoose Restaurant, where Chef Devin Mills’ tasting menu is purported to provide aphrodisiac

properties.

Elope to the Moon

This package, which offers couples a variety of special choices, including an on-property, intimate

wedding with an officiant to perform the actual ceremony. Families and friends not invited: this

package is just for the two of you!

Please inquire for rates.

Phone: 607-326-7200

E-mail: info@theroxburymotel.com

Website: www.theroxburymotel.com

Massage at Margaretville Mountain Inn

Be greeted with a bottle of Catskill Wine to toast your stay at the Margaretville Mountain Inn.

Do a lot of nothing or shop in quaint village stores. Enjoy a Scandinavian or Neuromuscular

massage by Bodyworx, located in the Village of Margaretville from October 1, 2012 through May 1,

2013. Either way, you will leave Relaxed and Rejuvenated.

Phone: 845-586-3933

Email: mmibnb@catskill.net

Website: www.margaretvilleinn.com

Taste of the Catskills, Just for Two!

Enjoy a romantic 2 night stay in a deluxe room at the River Run Bed and Breakfast and enjoy breakfast

each morning. A cozy table for two awaits you for a very special five course chef's menu tasting dinner

at the Andes Hotel Restaurant. Just 20 minutes away (and well worth the drive), Chef Ed O'Neill

prepares unique five course tastings using ingredients indigenous to Delaware County. Enjoy delectable

dishes prepared with fresh local farm raised fare in a casually elegant atmosphere.

Phone: 845-676-3980

Email: andeshotel@catskill.net

Website: www.andeshotel.com

Happy Trails

It is a beautiful winter and the Great Western Catskills are glistening with fresh snow. That means it’s time to gather up the friends and family for a weekend to refresh and recharge in the crisp winter air.  Fun and adventure are waiting on the slopes or the trails and with stay and play packages, cozy lodging and wonderful dining you don’t need and excuse to get away from it all.

Catskill Scenic Trail

While the age of train rides from New York to the Catskills has been eclipsed by buses and cars the romance of the rails is not lost, just updated! The Catskill Scenic Trail, the rail path of the former Ulster & Delaware Railroad has been reincarnated in a companion project with the Delaware & Ulster scenic rail-ride. This four season trail boasts 26 miles of hard-packed base that meanders through hill and dale from Roxbury to Bloomville and several towns in between.  A hike through the fresh snow and crisp winter air is the natures cure for shaking off the post-holiday doldrums. Even better, glide from town to town on cross country skis. Check out their website for a trail map at http://catskillscenictrail.org/.

Fueling Up

Start your adventure on the Catskill Scenic Trail off right with breakfast. Staying close to Margaretville? Try the amazing breakfast offerings at the Arkville Bread and Breakfast. They offer everything from eggs over easy to airy waffles and sausage.  In Roxbury, stop in at the  East Branch Cafe where you can  fuel up with a pile of warm and fluffy pancakes with local maple syrup and a steaming cup of fresh, hot coffee.  Hit the trail and hike on down the line for lunch at the Creekside Café where homemade soups and fresh, warm made-to-order sandwiches await hungry hikers.  As the sun sets over the beautiful mountains dinner beckons.  Spice it up with enchiladas and rice and beans at La Cabana in Fleischmanns or savory, home-cooked Italian at Mama Maria’s in Stamford. No matter what you are craving there is a restaurant to satisfy those hungry taste buds.

Recharging

A day out in the fresh air means a good night sleep.  Many of the local hotels and bed and breakfasts offer stay and play packages that meet every need. The historic  River Run Bed and Breakfast in Fleischmanns offers a “Taste of the Catskills” stay and play package with breakfast each morning and a special 5 course tasting dinner at the Andes Hotel with a two-night stay. Check into the conveniently located Margaretville Motel and enjoy free lift tickets for either Belleayre or Plattekill Mountains.

Let it Snow, Snow, Snow!!!

The fresh snow the Great Western Catskills got over the holidays brought extra magic to the season. Whether you ski, board, or hike you can’t beat the Catskill Mountains for outdoor fun with friends and family. With stay and play packages, convenient lodging and dining to satiate every taste, it doesn’t matter what the reason or what the season, visit just once and you’ll just keep coming back.

BELLEAYRE

Craving some downhill adventure? Belleayre Ski Center has a 10” to 40” base with over 12” of pack and powder! Almost all the trails and lifts are open, with more opening daily. There are trails to meet every skill level.  Belleayre’s terrain park is a winter wonderland for snowboarders looking for half-pipes and rails for that winter time rush. There are a variety of lift ticket and rental packages no matter what you are looking for.  If you never hit the slopes before Belleayre’s “Learn to Ski or Ride” program gets you going an all-inclusive package with 3 days of group lessons, rentals and lower mountain lift tickets rentals for only $131!  If you are not feeling the need for speed, how about some good old cross country? The cross country trail is open and the weather is perfect for a glide through the wintry glens.

PLATTEKILL

If you are in the mood for a small mountain vibe with a big mountain feel than Plattekill Mountain is for you. All 38 trails are open with a base of 12” to 36” and all lifts are running. They have a great combination of “easy” to “most difficult” that includes the two mile long “Powder Puff” for beginners to the challenging, 1100 foot continuous vertical “Blockbuster”. If you are up for some family fun, why not grab the kiddies and hit the tubing trail. Glide down and get a ride up. All the fun and no trudging uphill! When the sun goes down Plattekill is still bustling with night tubing until 8 PM. 

SNOWMOBILING

Perhaps you like your skis with a motor attached? The Catskills are a snowmobiler’s dream with over 100 groomed trails. The Catskill Forest Preserve and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as well as many private organizations maintain a variety of trails that weave through the mountains and valleys.

Sometimes you just need to take a short walk, you know, burn off that extra egg-nog you had at Aunt Fanny’s. Hanah Mountain Resort and Country Club lets you swap out your golf spikes for snow shoes and cross country skis. A walk in their winter wonderland will take a couple of hours and is a great way to enjoy the snow covered pines and crisp winter air.

STAY AND PLAY

If you come to play, you are going to love your stay! Many area hotels and B and B’s have stay and play packages suitable for every price range for individuals to groups.  The Roxbury Hotel offers a variety of stay and play packages that include free and discounted lift ticket as well as discounted rooms.  There is even one with a spa package so you can wind down after your day of outdoor adventure. Wake up and re-charge at Cassie’s Kitchen with pancakes and sausage with real maple syrup topped off with hot chocolate and whipped cream.  Done for the day? The Public Lounge is right next door to the Roxbury Hotel walk over and enjoy one of their tasty weekend specials or a decadent Chocolate Martini.

Bringing the whole family?  The Andes Hotel has a Ski-Free, Stay-Free package where under 17 stay free and ski free at Plattekill Mountain. They even have a package that discounts “Wee Ski” at Belleayre Mountain. Conveniently located right across the street is the quaint Woodie’s Country Kitchen where the coffee is always hot and the bacon always sizzling!  Stop in for breakfast but make sure to return to the hotel for lunch or dinner. With lunch, tavern and dinner menus there are choices to keep you full and happy.

Balsam Lake Mountain

Two reasons why Balsam Lake Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in the Western Catskills are that it’s the farthest west of the Catskills’ 35 high peaks and it has a fire tower on its summit. And of course there are many other reasons drawing hikers to this 3723’ summit. There are three approaches to choose from when hiking the mountain, each of varying distances and each involving a different scenic drive to reach the trailhead. Two of the trails have lean-tos, two of them follow an abandoned road that was once a thoroughfare over the mountains, and one circles the shore of a lake. And no matter which route is chosen, the mountaintop, with its dense and pungent balsam thicket, creates a special environment that is encountered only in certain locations.

The fire tower at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain.

A common route to the trailhead begins at Route 28 and Dry Brook Road in Arkville. Take Dry Brook Road six miles (enjoying the drive up this scenic valley), then turn right onto Millbrook Road; after a two-mile uphill drive, turn right at the crest of the hill into the adjacent Dry Brook Ridge Trail Parking Area. The trail to the fire tower is on the opposite side of the road from the parking area. Following the old roadbed, the trail’s gradient is reasonable by Catskill standards, and the width makes it easier to converse with companions. At 2.2 miles the marked junction points hikers up the red trail to the right, which climbs a steeper old road and reaches the fire tower in another three-fourths of a mile. Although the tower was last used for fire surveillance in the late 1980s it has been restored, and the cabin can often be accessed on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day due to the efforts of volunteers. But even without access to the cabin, the 360-degree view that unfolds while climbing the tower is amazing.

A shorter route to the summit begins at the Quaker Clearing Trailhead, which is reached after an 8.5 mile drive up the Beaverkill Road from its junction with the Barkaboom Road (just south of Big Pond). This junction is reached from the bridge at NYS Route 30 and the Pepacton Reservoir by travelling east along the NYC BWS Road 1.9 miles, then continuing along Barkaboom Road another 6.2 miles. The first two miles of the hike are gradual (along the southern portion of the blue-marked Dry Brook Ridge Trail) until the junction with the red-marked trail to the tower is reached. Turning left, the ascent is abrupt but the summit is reached in under a mile. Just below the 3500’ mark, a spur trail leads to a lean-to that is tucked in a thickly wooded area. With 1200’ in elevation gain and less than six miles round trip, this hike is done by families and hikers of all ages who are prepared and in good shape.

The third approach to Balsam Lake Mountain is from Alder Lake (reached by turning from the Beaverkill Road onto Alder Lake Road and going 2.25 miles to the base of Cross Mountain Road [a rugged seasonal road connecting to Mill Brook Road], then making a right into the entrance to Alder Lake). From the parking area, the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain is about 7 miles. This distance -- along with the primitive campsites around Alder Lake and the Beaver Meadow Lean-to (1.5 miles east of Alder Lake) -- present some fine backpacking opportunities along the secluded Mill Brook Ridge Trail. As always, hikers and backpackers should be properly prepared with a map, water, food, and all other necessary equipment and provisions.

Lennox Memorial Forest

Back in the 1927 John Lennox became the first director of Camp Shankitunk, which is now the oldest continuously operating 4-H camp in New York State. Sixty years later, upon his passing, Lennox’ intention to preserve his adjacent 144-acre estate as an outdoor classroom for future generations began to take shape. 

Opened in 1998, the Lennox Memorial Forest became the first operational model forest in the New York City Watershed Model Forest Program and continues to serve a range of educational purposes. Located directly across from Camp Shankitunk on Arbor Hill Road in Delhi, the Forest property encompasses much of the adjacent mountainside and reaches above 2000’ in elevation, some 700’ above the nearby West Branch of the Delaware River. (PLEASE NOTE: Visitors may access the property’s entry area where there is an information kiosk; however, those wishing to access the interior of Lenox Memorial Forest must contact Cornell Cooperative Extension of Delaware County at (607) 865-6531.)

A prominent sign for the Forest is found 2.65 miles from Route 28 on Arbor Hill Road. The kiosk’s panels set the Forest in the larger context of the NYC Watershed and provide specifics on the sustainable forestry practices used on the property. Beyond the gate, the main path climbs steadily, passing Turtle Rock and Monkey Face Rock. Keeping to the left at the first junction will bring the hiker sharply uphill through a tall stand of hemlocks and impressive rock outcroppings. This section exhibits much of the essence of a Catskill Mountain hike, and it helps one appreciate the public access afforded by Lennox Forest. 

Once above the hemlocks, the trail curls to the south and eventually levels. A short foot trail leads to the west and quickly reaches a lean-to and a grand overlook. This area is used by 4-H campers, who learn outdoor skills on overnight trips during the six weeks of summer when the camp is in operation. (When the camp is not in session, permission to hike on Camp Shankitunk property -- between Arbor Hill Road and the Delaware River -- may also be granted.)

The major trails in the Forest are actually roads that are used primarily for forestry management purposes, and several of these are connecting loops. An alternate ascent to the top of the property is found by staying to the right at the first junction beyond the entry gate and climbing the long switchback road. These roads are illustrated on the both the Forest Management Plan and Map, found at: http://www.ccedelaware.org/4h-youth development/JohnLennoxMemorialForest.aspx

The plan shows the many types of management blocks and their related practices that the roads pass through. With this plan in hand, the walker will get a sense of the sustainable forestry techniques along the way, some of which are explained in more detail at the kiosk. 

To learn even more about the Forest, visitors can participate in the periodic workshops and tours that are offered. Event schedules and additional information can be obtained when contacting Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

Headwaters Trails in Stamford

One of the great things about the Headwaters Trails system in Stamford is that it’s connected directly with the village. From Main Street in downtown, you can walk onto Academy Street, go one block north, and enter this 26-mile network of multi-use trails. There are quiet wooded paths, challenging uphills, and open views from the many fields and from the summit of Bald Mountain (2720’). Other access points include Archibald Field (on Route 10 North across from the NYSDEC offices) and from the Catskill Scenic Trail, on the eastern edge of the village at Crestline Drive. Although a trail map is still in the works, the trails can be easily be explored by those with a good sense of direction and a few hikes in their legs.

To get more information, you can access the Headwaters Trails website (headwaterstrailsny.org), where a Google map is included; log onto Headwaters Trails Facebook page; or visit the Headwaters Trails office, which is located in the historic Stamford railroad station at the junction of Railroad Avenue and the Catskill Scenic Trail. Office hours are not given on the website, but you can contact the trail master through the website or call (607) 287-7169. Headwaters Trails is made possible by the generosity of 18 landowners and is a project of the Greater Stamford Area Trust. Headwaters’ goal is to encourage education and recreational use of the Catskills that is ecologically sensitive while promoting the natural beauty of the region. In doing so, Headwaters’ hopes to develop a trail system for mountain biking, roughly modeled after Kingdom Trails in East Burke, VT, where more than 40 private property owners and community stakeholders joined efforts to revitalize their rural community. Now, Kingdom Trails and East Burke are major economic drivers in the region.

The trails at Headwaters are used by primarily by hikers, mountain bikers, and hunters (during hunting season). The views from the many open meadows are excellent, looking for many miles in three directions. To the south, Mount Utsayantha and Churchill Mountains are prominent, and the look down the valley of the West Branch of the Delaware is striking. To the east, several higher summits in Greene County dot the horizon, while the westerly views take in the softer hills in Harpersfield and beyond. From downtown, the hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is just over two miles one way and about 900’ in elevation gain, with the steepest sections near the top. There are great lookouts all around the mountain, especially near the old ski lift of the former Scotch Valley Ski Area.  

Remember, a visit to Headwaters is also a visit to historic Stamford. Hikers will likely want to stop for a meal in one of the many eateries or visit some of the shops and cultural attractions. And both the village and Headwaters have a lot to offer, so you may very well want to return for some more exploring.

The Catskill Scenic Trail - One of Delaware County's Greatest Treasures

The Catskill Scenic Trail (CST) is one of Delaware County’s greatest treasures. This 25-mile linear park follows the old Ulster and Delaware Railroad bed and stretches from Bloomville to Roxbury through some of the most beautiful country in all of New York State. The near-level gradient and unpaved surface make it ideal for hikers, walkers and families, as well as runners, cyclists, cross country skiers and horseback riders. There are numerous places to access the trail which passes through South Kortright, Hobart, Stamford and Grand Gorge. Maps and information are available at www.catskillscenictrail.org.

The Catskill Scenic Trail is 25 miles of old Ulster and Delaware Railroad bed that stretches from Bloomville to Roxbury through some of the most beautiful country in all of New York State.

In Bloomville (eight miles north of Delhi on Route 10) the trail begins about a quarter mile east of the intersection of River Street and NYS Route 10 on the south side of Route 10. There is a pedestrian crossing sign in the eastbound lane, a Catskill Scenic Trail mile marker, and a small parking lot. Before getting started, one can glance across Route 10 and see how this is the point where the railroad diverged from the valley of the Delaware River’s West Branch on its way to Oneonta; however, this Bloomville-Oneonta section of the abandoned railroad is not open to the public.

The first section of the trail is a shady and subtle descent that passes the old Sheffield Farms operation, site of the country’s first milk pasteurization. The traveler will also notice the first in a series of trailside benches installed by the Catskill Revitalization Corporation, who oversees the trail and keeps it in good repair. Occasionally, old stone pillar mile-markers appear, displaying the distance to Kingston. Soon the trail separates from Route 10 and enters the pastoral scenery of the Delaware River’s West Branch Valley. The trail then runs alongside the river and crosses it three times in the next mile. In the spring the wildflowers in these floodplains are brilliant, and wildlife abounds. This section also offers superb mountain vistas as it traverses a series of active farm fields, before reaching South Kortright and the first road junction at 4.5 miles.

The trail skirts behind the hamlet offering an assortment of glimpses into yesteryear, including an old rail depot. It then crosses County Route 18 a second time and bends north with fine views down the valley. At 8.5 miles the trail pulls into Hobart – the Book Village of the Catskills, then it’s a straight shot through mostly farmland to the village of Stamford. Both Stamford and Hobart offer places for the traveler to get refreshments. Stamford marks the halfway point of the trail, which crosses Route 23 on the eastern edge of the downtown area (small octagonal yellow, blue, and white markers are located at all intersections).

Leaving Stamford, the trail also leaves the West Branch Valley and parallels the Mooresville Mountain Range on the eight-mile stretch to Grand Gorge. (Early on there are connecting trails on the left that lead to the Headwaters Trails system.) Along this stretch, the traveler will pass lakes, wetlands, farms, historic barns, and the old South Gilboa Depot. Numerous road crossings serve as convenient access points. A mile or so west of Grand Gorge the trail is bisected by NYS Route 23. On the opposite side of the road the trail continues bends south of the hamlet, and there are some unfinished but easily passable wooded sections. There’s also a unique section that’s cut through a mountain with slopes on both sides. The trail crosses NYS Route 30 just south of the hamlet. At this point (behind Becker’s Tire), the trail can be wet and the traveler may consider the access point just to the south off Route 30.

Now paralleling the headwaters of the East Branch of the Delaware, the scenic trail runs alongside several cliffs and gradually descends as the river widens. The surrounding mountains are generally higher than those along the West Branch, although the valley is narrower and the road is closer at hand. Before culminating just north of the hamlet of Roxbury at Hubbells Corner, the trail ascends a grassy slope next to Route 30. Across the road, the railroad tracks are still in place, and the Delaware and Ulster Railroad is in operation from Roxbury to Arkville, May – October. Summing up, the Catskill Scenic Trail runs 25 miles through two spectacular river valleys, has minimal elevation change throughout its entire course, offers numerous access points, and therefore is a convenient attraction for casual recreationists to enjoy the beauty of Delaware County.

Views and Wild Azalea on Dry Brook Ridge

At 3460’ in elevation and lying west of the Catskills’ high peaks (summits above 3500’), Dry Brook Ridge is a less frequented and rewarding mountain to visit. There are several approaches to this long ridge, including the Dry Brook Ridge Trail which runs 9.6 miles from the village of Margaretville to the Millbrook Road Parking Area (and another 4 miles to Quaker Clearing in the Beaverkill Valley). Along the way, there are intersections with the German Hollow Trail (a 1.65-mile trail climbing from the east); the Huckleberry Loop Trail, which reaches Hill Road to the west in 2.3 miles; and again the Huckleberry Loop Trail Valley which connects with Ploutz Road in 1.5 miles. All of these trails are shown on the Central Catskills Trails Map (# 142) which is published by the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. It is recommended that hikers obtain this map, which shows the many ‘point-to-point’ and advanced hiking possibilities found in this area.

Near the center of the ridge and near its highest point are a series of ledges that offer westerly views. A good way to reach these ledges (also known as Penguin Rocks) is from the Ploutz Road Parking Area. Ploutz Road is reached by taking the Millbrook Road 6.7 miles from the Pepacton Reservoir. After turning left, proceed just over a mile, passing the farmhouse, until the parking area on the right. At first, the trail ascends through a mature spruce forest, then it passes through some rocky sections before coming to the DBR Trail after a climb of about 1000’. Turning left, the trail moves through an open swampy area and semi-stunted ridgetop forests until the first overlook is reached in about a mile. This is a good place for a break while you take in the view and decide if you would like to continue about three-quarters of a mile to the next major overlook. Each of these overlooks is denoted by a star symbol on the trail map. If you turn around at this second viewpoint the hike is about six miles roundtrip.

There have been two lean-tos adjacent to this 9.6 miles section of the DBR until a few years ago when the German Hollow Lean-to was crushed by trees during a storm. It is still slated for reconstruction, although it may be relocated. The second lean-to is located 1.35 miles from Mill Brook Road, which makes for a convenient “out-and-back” overnight trip or a welcomed shelter if you’re on a longer journey. (Note his lean-to is located near private land and access to the spring shown on the map is limited.) 

The large tracts of wild forest along the ridge make for excellent wildlife habitat, and the ridge is known for its bear and bobcat. In the spring, the ‘Pinkster’ bush, a type of wild azalea, blooms in abundance along the higher, central part of the trail. Although many hikers opt for the 9.6-mile through hike, each of the trailheads offer secluded climbs to the ridge. To reach the trail from Margaretville, turn onto Southside Road from Route 28 (across from Fair Street), go to the top of the hill and turn left; the trailhead will be on your right in a short distance.

Scenic Kelly Hollow Hike on the Border of Delaware and Ulster Counties

One of the great things about hiking in the Catskills is that the drives to get to the trailheads are scenic and relaxing. To reach the Kelly Hollow Trail, you could go to Arkille, turn at Dry Brook Road, and enjoy the Dry Brook Valley; or you could travel along the south side of the Pepacton Reservoir and take Millbrook Road to the trailhead. Better yet, you could make a loop out of it.

The Kelly Hollow Trail itself is a loop, which makes for some good options. In fact, there’s a short loop that’s less than three miles and a longer one that’s four miles. Along the way you’ll encounter a range of interesting places for such a short hike. From the parking area, the trail crosses the small stream, then goes along an old road through a Norway spruce forest. These trees were planted back in the 1930s when the Civilian Conservation Corp was active, and today they make for a unique hiking experience. (You’ll see the sign for the “cut-off” for the shorter loop on your right, which dips down into the shady and rocky ravine before rejoining the big loop again.) Steadily but gradually climbing, the road emerges from the evergreens and eventually hooks westward at a stream crossing. After a slight incline, the trail levels, rounds a ridge, and arrives at the Kelly Hollow Lean-to. The lean-to not only offers overnight accommodations, Catskills style, but it’s next to Beaver Pond, which often lives up to its name due to the presence of tree-gnawing residents. And there are frogs, newts and good bird watching. This spot, some two miles from the parking area, makes for a good family overnight.

The trail then rounds the upslope side of the pond, giving a good feeling of being at the head of the hollow. The trail also happens to be one of few marked cross country ski trails in the Catskills. Up until this point, the trail has been relatively easy for the back country skier, but between the pond and the road this second half of the loop requires more advanced skiing skills. Descending, steeply in places, the trail makes a couple of switchbacks before coming to the junction with the shorter loop. If you take this loop (by turning right) it will rejoin the outer loop and return to the parking area. If you stay left, you will complete the larger loop; however, you will come out at the road about a quarter-mile west of the main parking area (the one with the brown and yellow sign). Not far before the road you will also see an old cemetery just off the trail to your left.

As far as Catskill hiking goes, Kelly Hollow is relatively easy; yet whichever loop you choose, there’s enough elevation gain to break a good sweat and there’s plenty to discover along the way.

[The Kelly Hollow Trailhead is located on the right side of Millbrook Road, just over five miles from the intersection of Millbrook Road and the NYC Board of Water Supply Road along the south side of the Pepacton Reservoir. If you’re coming from Arkville, take Dry Brook Road six miles to Millbrook Road, turn right, and go 6.6 miles; the trailhead will be on your left. Although not required, it’s a good idea to have the set of Catskill Trails hiking maps, available at: www.nynjtc.org/product/catskill-trails-map-set]

A “Maple Weekend” Driving Tour Through Delaware County

Sap collection at Brookside Maple in Delancey.

Photo courtesy of Dan Meyers.

As you drive along the winding mountain roads of Delaware County this time of year, intricate blue lines carrying sap from tree-to-collection grab your eye. Galvanized buckets hang from towering maples and lead to thoughts of what’s inside. If you’re wondering how all that sap becomes syrup, we have some farmers you need to meet!

Maple being molded at Kenneth Burger Farm in Margaretville.

Photo courtesy of Dan Meyers.

During New York State’s Maple Weekend, producers across the state welcome guests to their farms to experience first-hand how real maple syrup and related products are made. The events take place over two weekends, March 17-18, and March 24-25, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day.

Eight producers throughout Delaware County will open their doors for a sneak peak at boiling sap into syrup! Here a guide to visiting all of them in two days and where to stay while you’re here!

Starting at Vly Creek Maple Farm off Route 28 in Fleishmann’s, enjoy a self-guided walk in the woods, refreshments and demonstrations. Just up the road in Margaretville, you’ll get the inside scoop on making syrup and maple sugar patties at Kenneth Burger Farm. Enjoy a scenic drive around the Pepacton Reservoir to Delancey where Brookside Maple, Dar-View Maple and Catskill Mountain Maple will each be demonstrating the process of making syrup from sap. If you get to Catskill Mountain Maple before 2:00, you’ll enjoy a complimentary pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast!

Make a stay of it with a variety of lodging options, and start in Hobart on Sunday morning with Roxbury Mountain Maple where 150 miles of pipeline and 8000 taps are making numerous maple products with fun for everyone in the family. Next hit Shaver-Hill Maple Farm in Harpersfield for a late breakfast and horse and wagon rides! Wrap up your Maple Weekend at the North Franklin Maple Syrup Co. before heading home with maple syrup for friends, family and, of course, yourself!

Visit www.mapleweekend.com for each farm’s detailed Maple Weekend activities and contact information. Learn more about the Great Western Catskills at www.greatwesterncatskills.com, and enjoy meeting our farmers and experiencing maple production at its best!

Inside Catskill Mountain Maple’s sugar house! All photography courtesy of Dan Meyers.

Climate Changes Makes for an Interesting Winter

It's half over and nothing is normal.  Warm and sunny. Really cold and windy. No snow accumulations that have lasted. What do we offer the intrepid winter traveler if we don't really have snow??  It's a question all our local businesses have been asking.  But one man's trial is another man's treasure - or so the sentiment goes. 

For hikers this winter has been blissful. No deep snow to trek through or snowshoes to hike with. No frostbitten noses and fingers. Wonderful weather that keeps repeating itself.  We've been staying tuned to the Catskill Mountain Club's website for notes on last minute hikes that folks may be organizing.

The cultural organizations that provide programming throughout the winter and shops that stay open during the "shorter" days have been the beneficiaries of easy driving conditions and folks looking for things to do.  Workshops, writing classes, open jams, movies and music - all have an easier time persuading folks to come on out and engage in their activities - as you can see them on our website's events page.

Tubing at Plattekill has been fun too! The mountain can make the snow on the bunny hill and it doesn't need alot for tubing. Saturday night tubing followed by the great bar scene and now elegant dinners with a locavore bent. 

As with everything, winter is what you make of it. We're happy to ski fewer trails and focus on the pure pleasure of skiing.  We're happy to get out and about a little more than usual and a little farther than usual.  Stay tuned to our Facebook page as we all share our favorite things this winter. 

Winter Festival - there will be Ice and Snow no matter what Mother Nature does!!

The Walton Fairgrounds will be transformed into a celebration of winter in true Northeastern style for the 3rd Annual Winter Festival on Saturday, January 21, 2012. 

The event will feature a spectacular ice carving competition, with carvers from the American Culinary Federation and including Delaware County's own SUNY Delhi Ice Carvers competing against one another and Mother Nature. Beautiful forms to local business logos will be carved that day.Competitors will be toting chainsaws, chisels, blowtorches, and other special tools of the trade. Top professional ice carvers will judge the sculptors and crown a champion by day's end.

 

     This one-day, family-oriented festival will also feature a horse-drawn carriage and sleigh exhibition, figure skating demonstration, ice skating, snowmobile races, wood carving competition, and children’s’ winter-related activities. Food vendors will be on-site to make sure everyone has a warm and full belly!

     Registration for the snowmobile races will begin at 8 a.m., and the festival opens at 9 a.m. The Hamden Hill Ridge Riders will collect $5 per person at the gate; half of the funds will be designated for Delaware County flood victims.  This event is sponsored by the Delaware County Chamber of Commerce, the Hamden Hill Ridge Riders, the Walton Chamber of Commerce, Mang Insurance Agency and the Watershed Post.

The Winter Festival and ice makes us think about the Hanford Mills Ice Harvest festival coming on its heels on February 4th - so mark that date as well.  There's always winter fun on tap in the Great Western Catskills of Delaware County. Check out another great winter blog we love - Winter In The Catskills!!

Hankerin' for a Harvest Vacation?

Most folks think of going on vacation to a place where there is something you like to do.  The doing could be skiing, antiquing, golf, beach relaxing…..you know the options.  There is a whole new world of vacationing that revolves around food.  Not just eating it, but going to where it’s grown, selecting from the freshest harvest, and bringing it home.   Some folks bring the extra foldable bag in their suitcase and fill it up with trinkets to bring home.  Foodie folks bring an empty cooler and a few milk crates and fill them up with a winters worth of provisions. There are staples like garlic braids, honey, jams and maple syrup, or new foods like raw milk to freeze.  There are fruits that are easy to freeze like blueberries, store like apples, dry like apricots, or turn into sauce like tomatoes,  There are veggies that are easy to pickle or freeze like beets, peas and beans.  Fill up the burlap sacks with items like winter squashes and potatoes and your root cellar will be overflowing. The coolers get filled to capacity with locally raised meats and poultry, smoked trout – add a little ice and you’re set for the ride home.

My grandmother always had 3 cases of apples in the garage over the winter that we’d eat out of.  She knew the orchards she liked and got to know the owners.  Over the years, the day trip upstate extended into an overnight trip with a stay at a local B&B and dinner at a favorite German restaurant.  You can experience the route your food takes too.  Come to the Catskills, enjoy the fall foliage, cruise the farmers markets and on farm stands, place an order for your Thanksgiving turkey, pick up some local wine or beer and you’re set.  So pack light and leave room to fill the car with the fruits of our local farmers labor.  It’s a gift to yourself that will keep on giving every time you sit down to a wonderful meal.

You can research great Catskills farms at the Watershed Ag Council's Pure Catskills website.  For great farm stay vacations - like Stone and Thistle Farm, Turquoise Barn, La Basse Cour B&B, and Stony Creek Farm via FeatherDown.  Check out our lodging properties on the Great Western Catskills website.  

Weathering Storms. Silver Linings.

The Cheese Barrel in Margaretville

Water, water everywhere.  The lushness of the mountains, the verdant green of the hayfields - all fed by the bountiful water and land that filters it down to the rivers, streams and reservoirs.  The towns here have weathered floods big and small. Folks talk about the flood in '96.  The 2006 flood. Most scars are gone. Rivers are now lined with huge rip-rap boulders to protect their banks.  Farm fields have new crops planted.  Riparian buffers planted with bushes and grasses to hold the soil.

Floods make people come together and help each other out with a contagious sense of community and pride.  It's what makes our small Catskills towns so welcoming and tactile. All that strength and warmth at the same time. So Irene pummeled almost every town in the county, in some manner this past weekend.  But she really threw her might at the villages of Margaretville, Arkville, and Fleischmanns.  And while we all know in our bones that these towns will be rebuilt, there is the sense that the storm did have a silver lining.

The towns along the East Branch of the Delaware River are working together to come up with a recreation plan that accesses the river and uses it to promote tourism and recreational opportunities.  Looking at these rivers towns, not for their ability to move timber and farm products downstream, but to move kayakers and to encourage fishing, are strong forces that can shape how we rebuild these communities.

Welcoming travelers has been something Delaware County has done with pride since the railroad starting bringing city folk up to escape the heat of the concrete jungle.  It is something we will do this weekend for Labor Day travelers, and the next weekend, and for fall foliage and Columbus weekend and for generations to come.  We look forward to your supporting our communities as you travel here and promise we'll try our hardest to put the polish back on our main streets.  We'll see you in the mountains!!

The Ladies who Lunch in Stamford!

We heard lots of the same sort of stories from the 4th of July weekend with it's rainy Sunday weather. Folks were determined to get out and about, whether to the Taste of the Catskills event in Delhi, the fireworks in Margaretville, a rainy ride along the Catskill Scenic Trail, or elsewhere.  A delightful group of gals reported in via Betty from the Beaver Spring Lake Campground with this accounting of their day out in Stamford a little later in the week.  This is the kind of laid back charm our village main streets hold for so many..........

Ladies being ladies, a group of my seasonal camping ladies and I like to shop for unique items and are always on the lookout for bargains.  We took the opportunity last Thursday, July 7 to explore a couple of ‘new’ places to us in Stamford; one being a craft store and the other a jewelry and gift shop.  Lunch was also planned.

We first checked out Inspire Me a craft store on Main Street which had opened last September….besides beading and crocheting yarn, gifts and supplies, they have lots of scrap booking and wedding supplies.   After making our purchases, we walked across the street to another interesting store called, ‘Country Chic’ which was tiny, but filled with unique hand-made gifts, bags and jewelry. 

We left our cars parked and walked along the shaded sidewalk to Railroad Avenue to T.P.’s Café where the seven of us enjoyed a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches in their newly renovated dining area. After getting caught up on everybody’s news and happenings over lunch we decided to duck into Cores Thrift Store and of course, found several bargains. 

We headed back to our ‘homes’ at Beaver Spring Lake Campground and managed to do all this shopping within four hours and used less than one gallon of gas.  Now, that’s a real bargain.

Delhi's Outdoor Education Center

We receive email news updates from several of our local businesses.  One I personally look forward to reading every word of are the weekly updates from Good Cheap Food on Main Street in Delhi. Faiga Brussels, the owner, loves Delhi and constantly adds tidbits to her market updates on events and other goings-on in the village and outlaying areas.  I just had to repost her email from yesterday which was dedicated to one of the wonderful recreational assets of Delhi.........

Hello Everyone,

I  wanted to take a moment to remind you about the Outdoor Education Center of SUNY Delhi--a park two miles out of Delhi on the right side of Rte 28 as you head toward Andes. You'll see a wooden sign, and can pull down in to the parking lot.

The park is an old farm that belongs to the college and was turned into a park by Americorps volunteers years ago.

Now is a great time to go. The park is lush, beautiful and perfumed by stands of wild phlox (otherwise known as dame's rocket or its latin  hesperis matronalis, info courtesy of Mermer Blakeslee) and the flowering black lotus trees.

Walk from the parking lot to the little welcome kiosk, and follow the path beyond the kiosk, bearing right until you pass a stone bench. After the bench there is a path on the left leading down to the lower level of the park. When you get to the bottom of the incline, the road will split. Don't worry about getting lost, as all roads eventually converge and will lead you to a path that goes uphill back to the parking lot. But at the bottom, where the path splits, bear right. This route is a little longer, but takes you along the bottom of the hill under a canopy of trees and a lovely stone wall built years ago by  Americorps volunteers, including Delhi's Jane DeWitt who now has her own stone masonry business in town. Keep bearing right. The path  narrows and winds  through ferns, wild phlox and a profusion of buttercups,  across wooden planks and out to the river. Turn left at the river, under a forest of Japanese knotweed, and wonder along the river path. Woods and fields are littered with wild phlox.

There are Adirondack chairs and access points to the river to cool your feet, fish, or let your dog go for a swim.  Eventually you'll come upon a stand of black locusts that are in riotous bloom, covered with white lantern like sweet smelling flowers that drape down over the river. Under the largest of these trees there is a picnic table.  Keep on going, and you'll find a butterfly garden not yet in bloom, but with benches for a rest. Soon there is the first path back up, but just beyond this  you'll see a gate which leads to the labyrinth, which has been mowed recently.

If you continue walking eventually you'll come upon another path up, and further along, after a bog and two stands of wild yellow irises, the path you came down upon will be on your right. The boggy water is home to lots of peepers.

BTW, this stroll takes only ½ hour. Lengthen the walk by trying detours and walking the upper fields near the parking lot. You will usually be the only car in the parking lot.

This place is a piece of heaven. Enjoy.

Cannonsville Recreational Boating - give it a paddle

New York State’s Western Catskills  have long been a place for those who know the secrets of its waters: the best fly-fishing spots, early season high water kayaking on the rivers, fishing from canoes on the reservoirs. What had been lacking are large bodies of water for recreational use.  That changed in 2009 when the New York City Department of Environmental Protection opened up of  most of the Cannonsville Reservoir for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sculls, and for small sailboats, like Sunfish. The Cannonsville is western-most reservoir, and runs from south of Walton west and south towards Deposit and Hancock.   Last year almost 200 people went through the process of getting a permit and steam cleaning their boats – and got to paddle on these pristine waters. 

Two steps are required to access the Cannonsville.  First the boater will need a DEP Access Permit, which you can get online at www.nyc.gov or at local sports stores. Second is the Recreational Boat Tag, which you get once your boat has been steam cleaned. All craft must be steam cleaned prior to being placed on the water and permits affixed to the boats. Trailers are not allowed in the water and there is no camping at these sites. 

The NYC DEP has nine launch sites: Roods Creek, Mormon Hollow, Dry Brook, Speedwell, Patterson, Apex, Fish Brook Beers Brook, and Dryden Brook all listed with GPS coordinates on the free brochure.

Boat Cleaning
Five  boat cleaning businesses will be in operation in the towns surrounding the reservoir – Downsville, Deposit, Trout Creek and Walton and each charges their own rate. The cleaning process will take about 20 minutes per boat, so make sure you give yourself enough time if you have a few boats.   These vendors will  issue you Recreational Boat Tag good for 1-7 days during which your boat must stay on NYC DEP lands. When you visit these locations, please remember to support these local vendors and purchase your supplies from them. For those wishing to obtain a full-season pass, steam cleaning services will be provided by the DEP Downsville Operation’s office located on NYS Route 30. Call 607-363-7009 to schedule an appointment.

Boat Rentals
Here are a few options for renting boats – though you’ll still need to have the boat steam cleaned.  Als Sport Store in Downsville will be renting out canoes and kayaks - call them at 607-326-3500 or visit  www.alssportstore.com.  Catskill Outfitters in Walton will be renting kayaks and canoes – call them at 607-865-8827 or visit www.catskilloutfitters.com. Border Water Outfitters in Hancock will be renting canoes and they can be reached at 607-637-4296 or at www.borderwateroutfitters.com.  Catskill Outback Adventures has kayaks and canoes to rent out to the public, complete with car-top accessories for transporting the boat. Call them for more info at 845-254-9888 or visit their website at www.catskilloutback.com.

Access is from sunrise to sunset and will run from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus weekend.  The Delaware County tourism office is providing a brochure outlining all the information you need to know on the rules and regulations for the Cannonsville. You can receive a copy by calling 866-775-4425 and leaving your name and address or by emailing your request to info@greatwesterncatskills.com.  You can download the brochure on the tourism website www.greatwesterncatskills.com.  


This is a three year pilot program running from 2009 – 2011, after which the City will assess the benefits and local impact and determine whether to keep it open or possibly expand it.

How To Pack For A Catskills Vacation

A few things you may not know, that you need to know, if you want a truly great vacation experience in our neck of the woods.

Bring a light sweater or long sleeves when you go out at night, even if it's been a hot summer day. Our evenings are always cooler than you'd expect. There's a nice breeze - it's a double benefit - it keeps the bugs away.

Hiking in shorts is what most folks think they should wear in the summer. We do it sometimes - but always regret it when we come back scratched up from the wild raspberry and blackberry brambles we encounter along the way. It's all good if you're hiking when the berries are ripening!!

And hiking shoes.  No sneakers please. Our moutains are rocky and there are roots and fallen branches. You need your ankle support. Let's hope you'll never twist an ankle but you need to be able to walk out as cell phones don't have great coverage here and in the Catskill Park.

Don't bring skinny heels, especially if you're coming here for a wedding. They're all held on lawns and ours can be a little "punky" - meaning your heels will sink right in.  Outside of villages, we don't have lots of sidewalks - more along the lines of gravel or stone paths leading to houses. Some events have port-a-johns and, well, it's just easier to go in and out of one in comfy shoes.

So what are we really saying?  It's a relaxed, comfortable, rugged, and quirky kind of place you'll be coming to experience. 

A this tip is just to make sure you experience our country vibe completely. If you're on a slow back road small village street,wave to folks when you drive past them. We do it all the time. Sometimes we know them. Sometimes we don't. But it always makes everyone feel good.

The CAT Race - Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon

There'll be no pussyfooting around this race course!!!  (Sorry we just had to write one feline line.)  The Cannonsville Adventure Triathlon is coming to the Western Catskills and what a day it's going to be!  Sunday, June 5th is the date.  The NYC DEP is allowing use of the Cannonsville Reservoir for the paddle leg.  This kicks off their third year of a three year pilot program allowing recreational boating on the reservoir. This is a great sign and hopeful indication that the program will be opened up in the future to other reservoirs.

The race is a 6.5 mile run (just over a 10k), then a 4 mile paddle, finishing with a 12 mile bike (mostly downhill with a dismount finish).  There will be awards of $500 for the fastest man, woman and team. All racers will get medallions and a free t-shirt and meal/drink voucher.  Hancock is hosting and rolling out the carpet for racers and their friends and family.  Post-race party next to the Hancock House Hotel with live music sponsored by the Hancock Partners. 

Folks who live here know how beautiful the reservoir lands are and we're hoping lots more folks will get the same vibe coming here for this race. Bald eagles nest along the reservoir lands and can be see from the water easily when paddling.  Bear, deer, turkey, fox, grouse, rabbit, coyote, and other wildlife abound as well.

Racers will need to get their boats steam cleaned by an authorized site prior to the race, and stored at the transition area by Saturday evening.  While this (and the required NYC DEP Access Permit - easy to obtain online and free) are extra hurdles for out of area racers - the ability to be on the City's reservoir in the company of other racers, and to hang out and get to know the area will make for a great trip and worth the effort.

The race website http://cannonsvilletriathlon.blogspot.com has all the information you'll need to know and links to get your Access Permit and online registration for the race. There are Google maps for the course as well as area lodging and dining and attractions. 

Organizers are very appreciative of the City's allowing the use of the reservoir for the race, as well as the assistance of the town, local officials, NYS DOT, local law enforcement and volunteer EMS, local volunteer organizations, the County and Economic Development. Especially noteworthy is the Catskill Watershed Corporation's sponsor funding for this inaugural year event and the three year pilot program to allow recreational boating on the Cannonsville.

Help spread the word about this great event and if you are so inclined and capable of performing the feats necessary to complete the course - come on out and race with us!!