May 13     Blackhead to North Lake. Lots of ups and downs as we walk along the Escarpment Trail. Unmatched views of the Hudson Valley and the Classic Northern Catskills. 12 miles - Two main climbs first 2000 ft. to the top of Blackhead  followed by another 900 ft. to Stoppel Point. Difficult.  Meet Maplecrest Post Office 8:30 AM. return 6:00 PM.

June 3  Luncheon at Mohonk Mountain House. Our members have fallen in love with this truly unique resort. This will be our eighth visit. Contact us for information on cost and payment dates for the luncheon at the Mountain House.
    What a great day this was, the weather was ideal.  Mohonk -- the atmosphere, beauty and food, were all fantastic.

June 17  Ashokan High Point Views of the Ashokan Reservoir.  We'll be too early for blueberries but we may see the the Mountain Laurel in bloom.  Meet Rt. 28 Boiceville at Bread Alone. 9:00 return 5:00. Moderate.

July 8     South Taconic Trail. We return to the Taconics and to views of the Catskills, Shawngunks, and mountain ranges of New England. Waterfalls and varied topography add to the excursion. Distance 9 miles, Vertical rise 2000 ft. difficult. Meet Catskill side of Rip Van Winkle Bridge at parking area near toll booth. 8:30 AM. Return 6:00 PM.
    Weather, Mountain Laurel in bloom, and more bluberries than we could eat, all combined to make this our best trip to the area.  A rattlesnake near the blueberries made it the most memorable for one of our hikers.

July 22    Plateau Mountain.  After a steep climb to the summit, we will be able to enjoy a two mile stroll through a mature forest.  The trail into Stony Clove drops 1700 feet in one mile.  Distance 7 miles. Vertical rise 1800 ft. Moderate to difficult.  Meet St. Francis deSales Church Elka Park 9:00 return 5:00.

August 5     South Mountain and the Escarpment  One of the classic walks of the Catskills.  We will walk the trail above Kaaterskill Clove and the Hudson Valley with views all along the way -- Then on to Sunset Rock and return to starting point through Mary's Glenn.  Distance 5 miles.  Easy to moderate.  Meet Haines Falls Library 9:00 AM return 5:00.

August 19  Balsam Lake Mountain  We will see the newly restored fire tower due to open in May of 2000 Fine 360 degree view from tower. 1200 ft climb 6 miles Meets 9:00 AM  at High Mount On Route 28 at turn off for Belleayre Mountain Ski Slope.  Return 3:00 Moderate.
We had beautiful weather for this hike.  The tower has been nicely restored with good solid wood steps and floor and a new roof and windows.  There is a lovely 360 degree view of the Catskills.  Individuals have donated to the repair and are honored with small nameplates on the risers of some of the upper steps.  Watch your head as you enter the room at the top!  Our thanks to those responsible for the reconstruction.

August 26 - 27    Open House at the Ulster and Delaware Railroad station in Haines Falls Rt. 23A.  Come and see the progress on the restoration of the station.  Watch here for details.

Sept. 9  Kaaterskill High Peak (and Round Top). High Peak offers view North to the Blackhead range and South to Platte Clove and the Hudson Valley  Once at the top of High Peak, we will try to make our way the extra mile to Round Top an excursion that has eluded us for years.  miles a climb of  Meet St. Francis de Sales Church Platte Clove. 9:00 AM return 5:00 PM.
Wash out!  We got started but heavy rain made the trail too slippery to climb safely as well as getting us soaked.  Looks like we'll try again next year.

October 7   Sugarloaf and Twin Mountain A steep climb to some of the best views in the Catskills. Vertical Rise 1400 ft. distance 5 1/2 miles. Meet St. Francis de Sales church parking lot Rt. 16 near Elka Park 9:00 AM. return 3:30 P.M. Moderate to difficult..

The Mountain Top Historical Society does not require membership for hike participation. We do, however, request that you register for each hike. Please fill in the form below and return to: Bob Gildersleeve, Box 185, Maplecrest, NY 12454. Tel. (518) 734-9701

An up-to-date list will be found at: http://www.mths.org

I (We) plan to join the Mountain Top Historical Society Hikes on the following dates:

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Hikes of previous years:
1999    1998   1997