April 24     Traps to Gertrude's Nose. Beautiful views continuously open as we walk along the narrow edge.  Distance 8 1/2 miles, vertical rise 800 ft. Moderate.  Meet Thruway Exit 18, New Paltz. 8:30 return 5:00 PM

May 22     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 Difficult.

June 5  The Road that couldn't be built.  This road was built in 1881 to provide access to the Kaaterskill Hotel.  It still provides beautiful views of Kaaterskill Clove and a pleasant wooded climb from the valley into the mountains.  Meet at the junction of Rt. 32A and 23A in Palenville.  9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Moderate.

June 19  Artist Seat   (Parker Mountain). Luncheon Hike.  We have make arrangements for lunch  at  The Last Chance Cheese Shop  in Tannersville.  Please call for details. Nice views of East Jewett Valley and Indian Head Range.  The  area takes its name from inscriptions carved by Thomas Cole and Asher Durand, and other Hudson  River School Artists who frequented this unique spot.  Meet East Jewett Post Office. 9:00 AM

July 10     Panther Mountain and Giant Ledge.  Panoramic views of the Devil's Path to the North and the Hudson Valley in the Distance.  Vertical rise 1600 ft, distance 7 miles. Meet Big Indian 9:00 AM, return 5:00 PM Moderate to difficult.

July 24 Lake Minnewaska and Lake Awosting.  Dramatic ledges, shaded carriage roads, waterfalls and a swimming area at Lake Awosting make this one of our most requested hikes.  Meet Thruway Exit 18, New Paltz. 8:30 return 5:00 PM

August 7     Cave Mountain.   We will climb to the top of Ski Windham from the back side in Jewett Heights.  Vertical Climb 1200 ft.  Distance 5 miles.  Meet WAJ school 9:00 return 4:00.  Moderate.

August 21     Canceled as we prepare for Next Saturday's Open House.  We hope you can join us then.

August 28     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.  Meet William Helmer, author of Rip Van Winkle Railroads.  His long out of print book on the railroads that served Greene County has been reprinted by Black Dome Press.  Mr. Helmer will be on hand for a lecture and book signing.  Greene Room Players will present a modified version of "Rip Van Winkle".  There will also be an exhibit of railroad photographs.

Sept. 11     Overlook Mountain and Echo Lake.  An old carriage road, a secluded lake, stone quarries, ruins of the Overlook Mountain House and numerous 19th Century points of interest have made this hike a favorite.  (Overlook is also noted for rattlesnakes)  Ten miles 1200 ft climb. Meet at St. Francis deSales church, Platte Clove at 9:00 AM  return at 5 PM.  (Moderate to difficult)

Note changes in the following hike..
October 2   Poet's Ledge.  After a 500 ft. ascent, we walk along the south side of Kaaterskill Clove and pass waterfalls with beautiful views of the Clove.  A new side trail leads to Poet's ledge with an unusual view taking in virtually all of Kaaterskill clove. Meets Haines falls Library at 9:00AM.  The mountain road between Palenville and  Haines Falls is closed.  Plan an alternate route to Haines Falls (Either Route 23 through Windham, of Route 28 to Route 296 in Phoenicia.) We will not do the planned descent  into Palenville but return the way we went in.

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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