Bramley Mountain Loop Trails Catskills
Bramley Mountain is a 2817′ peak located in the western Catskills. With an impounded pond, many rock walls and past foundations, an abandoned bluestone quarry, and excellent views this hike is one to savor. This hike is entirely on NYCDEP property and the trail was cut in conjunction with the Catskill Mountain Club. We wonder if the mountain earned its name due to the extensive amount of brambles at the higher elevations or was it…
Rochester Hollow Hike Catskills
Rochester Hollow located in the central Catskills is a quiet and nice area for a quick day hike or overnight. It is full of history with the remains of part of Rochester Estate, Rose Camp apparent throughout the hike. Visiting the Burroughs Memorial Forest and Monument is interesting. The gem of this land unit is the handicapped accessible Rochester Hollow lean-to and the Eignor Farm Trail on return after hiking the Colonel Rochester Trail! The…
Catskill 3500: Doubletop and Graham Mountains Notice
As if COVID could not make anything more weird. The Catskill 3500 Club has just announced that Doubletop and Graham Mountains will be closed to all hikers from November 8th to December 26th for the duration of hunting season. Given that the landowners have restricted the access to the peaks to people residing in local counties during COVID, the club has made temporary changes to membership climbs. Aspirants may climb Doubletop’s south peak for a…
Beaver Meadow Lean-to Catskills
The Beaver Meadow Lean-to is one of the most perfectly placed lean-tos in the Catskills. With the front facing a beautiful beaver pond and spur ridges from Mill Brook and Cradle Rock Ridges as the backdrop, it provides the camper with a wonderfully serene spot to camp. The absence of trees between the lean-to and the pond allows for spectacular stargazing by the shelter fireplace. With that said, the lean-to constructed in 1997, is in…
Alder Lake Loop Catskills
Alder Lake is a beautiful lake nestled between Mill Brook Ridge and Cradle Rock Ridge. It is a moderate to heavily trafficked area located in the Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest. It is ringed by a loop trail and many primitive campsites. The lake was once home to the almost 11,000 sq Coykendall Lodge which remains sit near the parking area. The lake was also for a time used by the Boy Scouts as a…