Mountain Top Historical Society Hikes 2003 Subject to change. Call or check web site prior to hike. Oct. 4 Hike canceled - will be held next Saturday - October 11th.

Links to: Topo Maps  Meeting places

April 19   Bonticou Crag and the region around. Beautiful views to the west of the Shawangunks. Vertical Rise 750 ft. Distance: 6 miles Meet Thruway exit 18 New Paltz. Additional afternoon activities to be determined.  8:30 AM return 5:00 PM. Moderate with an optional rock scramble

May 24    South Taconic Trail. Canceled 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. 8:00 AM. Return 6:00 PM.

June 7     Rip's Ledge with Bob Titus - The Catskill Geologist.  Dr. Titus will discuss the geology of the Wall of Manitou as we walk through Sleepy Hollow, past the site of the Rip Van Winkle House and  ledges where Rip is said to have spent his 20 year slumber.  Meet at the parking lot of the Roman Catholic Church Route 32A in Palenville 9:00 Return 5:00. Difficult
Canceled because of rain - rescheduled for August 30.

June 21   Luncheon Hike Join us for our first luncheon hike at the Ulster and Delaware Railroad station in Haines Falls.  We will explore the Ulster and Delaware Railroad bed, and the trails on South Mountain.  Reservations and prior payment for the catered lunch in our historic station are required.  Contact us or check the Historical Society Web Site (http://www.mths.org) for details

July 5     Kaaterskill Clove.  An historic walk from Fawn's Leap in Kaaterskill Clove past old tannery ruins and the site of a once active community.  We will follow an old road and stream beds ending at Bastion Falls on Route 23A in the heart of Kaaterskill Clove.  Difficult.  Meet Historical Society Campus Route 23A in Haines Falls 9:00 AM Return 5:00 PM.  Vertical Rise 900 ft. Difficult with some rock scrambling.

July 26   Round Top.  Round Top has eluded us for years. The trail-less peak is believed to be location of the Thomas Cole painting Sunny Morning on the Hudson River.  Meeting place: Historical Society Campus Haines Falls .  9:00 AM. return 5:00 P.M. Vertical Rise: 1500 ft. Distance: 6 miles.  Difficulty level: difficult .
We made it.  The view toward the Hudson Valley is overgrown and we were unable to verify that Cole's painting was done from this spot.  Athena Billias did this watercolor sketch of "Hunter Mountain from the Top of Round Top"  Athena's work and works of other Catskill Mountain Artist's can be found at: catskillmountainart.com

August 9  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.  
With the threat of a major rain storm, we choose to visit some Platt Clove waterfalls.  

August 30  Dr. Titus has agreed to reschedule our rained-out hike of June 7.  See that date for time and meeting place.

Sept. 13  Windham High Peak. Beautiful views of Hudson Valley. We will return by way of Burnt Knob with its views of the Big Hollow Valley. Vertical rise: 2000 ft. Distance: 7 miles. Meet Parking Area Rt. 23 East Windham 9:00 AM. return 5:00 PM Moderate to difficult.

OCTOBER 4 Blackhead range.  Thomas Cole, Black Dome, and Black Head.  Our Fall Foliage Hike along the range above Big Hollow and East Jewett.  Meet: Maplecrest Post Office 9:00 AM, return 5:00 PM. 8 miles, 2000 ft climb. Difficult
Rain again! We have rescheduled for Saturday October 11th.  Be sure to check this website if the weather then is questionable.

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  or Larry Tompkins at 734-4264

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

Mail the form below or use our new hike registration form .