Ashland Pinnacle in the Catskill Mountains
Straddling the border of Schoharie and Greene county, Ashland Pinnacle at 3010’, and its slightly shorter neighbor, The Knob, sits in the shadow of Huntersfield Mountain. They are in a chain of peaks that could be considered to be the Huntersfield Range. Although no long views present themselves on this hike, when the trees are bare many peaks are visible and views into the valleys are inspiring. Note, on the 2010 Trail Conference map, the…
Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail to High Point Cliff
The Fred Schroeder Memorial Trail (about Fred) to High Point Cliff is a wonderful woods walk of about 3-miles round trip. Located in Boyd Thatcher State Park’s north section it has fewer visitors than the trails in the southern section. However, the trails in the area are popular with trail runners and mountain bikers. Given the views from High Point Cliff, you can be sure that you’ll share this place with others, especially in season.…
Hang Glider Cliff Loop Hike
Hang Glider Cliff loop hike in John Boyd Thacher State Park on the Helderberg Escarpment is quite easy as hikes go to outstanding vistas. Along the way, you’ll have a nice (3.4-miles) jaunt in the woods. Being away from the main section of the park, this area tends to be more secluded. Thus, people looking for some quiet at this park may be well served to head out away from the campgrounds and southern trails…
Huntersfield Mountain in the Catskills
Although outside the Catskill blueline, in the Huntersfield State Forest, Huntersfield Mountain can stand with the many of the Catskill High Peaks. Its proximity being many miles away from the jumble of 3500 high peaks and standing high above its neighbors at a height of 3,423’ makes Huntersfield look massive. With large ridges that makes an X or cross when looked at from above the footprint of the peak is large. This was a “recovery…
Pratt Rock a Catskill family friendly hike
Pratt Rock has been coined “New York’s Mount Rushmore” by Ripley’s Believe it or Not. If you make the short climb to its towering cliffs you’ll find out why. Located just east of the village of Prattsville, the cliffs, named for Zadock Pratt, a tanner, banker, and eventually, a successful politician being elected to the House of Representatives will impress the most experienced hiker. This 3.1-mile round-trip hike offers interesting carvings done by Pratt and…