Hikefest at the Mountain Top Historical Society | Saturday, October 8, 8 AM and 9 AM **2016**

mths_logoOn Saturday, October 8, 2016 the Mountain Top Historical Society will be just the place to begin your Lark in the Park! This year we’ll be offering a choice of five hikes.

Two longer, more challenging hikes will be meeting at the MTHS campus at 8:00 a.m.

Hike #1: Tom and Anna Martone will lead a 7 mile hike with a 2,500’ ascent climbing Kaaterskill High Peak from the north side with views of the Blackhead Range. A short walk to Hurricane Ledge will add awesome views of the Devil’s Path peaks.

Hike #2: Jim Gebhard and Paul Martin will lead a 5.9 mile Long Path hike past 3 dramatic waterfalls: Buttermilk, Wildcat and Viola. After an out and back to Poet’s Ledge, the hike will wind down to Palenville. Gravity will be a friend for this mostly downhill hike.

Two groups will be offered a more moderate hike and will be meeting at the MTHS campus at 9:00 a.m.

Hike #3: Bob Gildersleeve will lead a vigorous climb alongside Kaaterskill Falls including a climb up the new 200 step stairway to the Escarpment Trail near the Laurel House site. A walk in the woods on the blue-marked Escarpment Trail will take the group to Layman’s Monument, Council Bluff and the original Sunset Rock for beautiful views of Kaaterskill Clove. A short backtrack to an old carriage road will take the group back to the Laurel house site and waiting cars.

Hike #4: This group will follow the same itinerary as Hike #3. Jeff Senterman will be the Hike leader.

For Hike #5 we are lining up an easy hike which will also meet at the MTHS campus at 9:00 a.m. The hike will be led by Pete Senterman.

All of the hikers will meet at the MTHS campus in the KRT parking lot and car pool to the various trail heads for the hikes. The hikes are designed to return to the MTHS campus at around noon for lunch.

Check our website for additional information about the hikes and the hike leaders.

Lunch will be hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill with all the fixings including salads, cold drinks and dessert. Doug Senterman has graciously agreed to be our Grillmaster. The cost per person for lunch is $10, reservations required.

After lunch, at 1:30 p.m. in our U&D Train Station, Mike Callan of the DEC will present an update on the Kaaterskill Falls Projects. Hear the inside scoop on those great stone steps, the viewing platform and the bridge that is currently under construction.

We welcome hikers and those interested in hiking or in the beauty of the Catskill Park to join us for a hike, lunch, the presentation and good company as part of the 2016 Lark in the Park.

No dogs, please.

Hikers must register and indicate which hike they are registering for. Hiking groups will be limited to 12 participants. You must register by 3:00 p.m. on October 5th. MTHS does not require membership for hike participation. We do however request that you register for each hike. Participants can register at mthsdirector@mths.org or by calling (518) 589-6657. Please leave your name, phone number, and total in your party. Schedule subject to change. The latest information is available on our website http://www.mths.org. Notification of changes, including cancellations due to weather will be made on the web site up to the day of any given hike.

Directions:  From the North — Exit 21, I-87, NYS Thruway. Make left onto Rt. 23B, continue toward Catskill and take ramp on right to Route 9W south, at the fourth traffic light go straight onto Route 23A toward Palenville. After the light in Palenville,  travel 4.5 miles to reach MTHS Campus and Art Trail Interpretive Center on the right.
From the South— Exit 20, I-87, NYS Thruway. Left at exit , then right onto NY32. Bear left at NY 32A (blinking light) then left onto NY 23A at the light in Palenville. Travel 4.5 miles to the MTHS Campus and Art Trail Center on the right.