Walk back in time on one of our popular hikes through the High Peaks of the Catskills.  These were America's first hiking trails whose beauty was immortalized in the novels of James Fenimore Cooper and romanticized in the poetry of William Cullen Bryant.  The breathtaking views seen along these trails today were first captured in the 19th century by the premiere artists of the Hudson River School of art, our country's uniquely American school of landscape painting.

MTHS hikes are conducted by volunteers knowledgeable about the area and include historical narrative and insider information, the result of years of study about the area’s trails, overlooks and historic sites.  Robert Gildersleeve, author of the Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide, is a frequent hike leader. MTHS President, Larry Tompkins, has been leading hikes in the area for 35 years. Bob Titus, the Catskill Geologist and author of The Catskills: A Geological Guide, leads a few hikes every season as well.

The trails, the views and the history are still here, preserved by New York State's designation of the Catskills as lands to remain forever wild.  A walk through the woods with MTHS makes the past come alive for those who are adventurous and want to see and hear the story of America's first wilderness for themselves.  All hikes are free and the public is invited. Please wear proper hiking attire and boots (no sneakers!), pack a lunch, don't forget rain gear or sunscreen, and bring plenty of water. Well-socialized pooches on leash are always welcome, too. On hikes going through the North Lake campground dogs will require proof of a currently valid rabies vaccination in the form of a current year's tag or a certificate issued by the veterinarian.

2010 Schedule

NEW THIS YEAR: We want to share our love and appreciation of the outdoors with more enthusiasts!!  For those who have found some of our hikes too challenging, we are introducing group WALKS! Please look at the schedule of hikes carefully, and note that some of them have a walking alternative listed.  Still required is that you bring a packed lunch, water, a hat, bug spray and wear appropriate shoes. We will be meeting at the same time and place as the hikers, but will be walking for only half a day or less, on relatively flat ground.  We look forward to seeing you this spring!

April 24 (Date has changed because of rain on April 17) - Waterfall Hike A combination auto and foot tour of the most scenic waterfalls in our area. Meet: MTHS Campus, Haines Falls  9:00 AM. Return 3:00 P.M. Vertical Rise: Several short climbs.  Distance: About 3 miles. Difficulty level: easy to moderate.

May 15 – Westkill Mountain Spectacular views of the Catskills from this mountain on the Western Edge of the Devil's Path. Meet: Flagpole on Route 42 in Westkill 9:00 A.M. Return 5:00 P.M. Vertical Rise 1750 ft. Distance 7 miles. Difficulty level: Moderate to difficult.  * Easy Alternative: Walk 1 mile to Diamond Notch Falls. Return.

June 5 - National Trails Day: North Point Extensive views of the Hudson Valley and the Eastern Escarpment including classic sites that inspired the Hudson River School. Meet: MTHS Campus,  Haines Falls 9:00 A.M. Return 5:00 P.M. Distance 6 miles. Vertical Rise: 870 ft. Difficulty: Moderate with a steep scramble. * Easy Alternative: Walk around the perimeter of North – South Lake. Approximately  2 miles. Stay and enjoy boating and beaching.

June 26 - Bonticou Crag and Surrounding Region Beautiful views to the west of the Shawangunks. Meet: Parking lot at Thruway Exit 18 New Paltz 8:30 A.M. Return 5:00 P.M. Additional afternoon activities to be determined perhaps Table Rocks. Vertical Rise 750 ft. Distance: 6 miles. Difficulty level: Moderate with an optional rock scramble. (The Mohonk Preserve charges a per-person fee for using this trail. Hikers will be responsible for the fee.)

July 10 - Huntersfield Mountain and Pratt's Rock In the morning we will climb Huntersfield and enjoy views looking South from this peak on the Northern edge of the Catskills. At noon, we will drive to Pratt's Rock where we will eat our lunches and climb to the rocks carvings commemorating Zadock Pratt. Meet: Ashland Town Hall Parking Lot (on Route 23 Ashland) 9:00 A.M. Return 3:30 P.M. Vertical Rise 600 ft. 3 1/2 miles. Difficulty level: Easy to moderate.  *Easy Alternative: Gradual uphill walk for 1 mile to beautiful views of the northern Catskills and return.

July 24 – Traps to Gertrude's Nose Beautiful views open continuously as we walk along the narrow edge. Meet: Parking lot at Thruway Exit 18 New Paltz 8:30 A.M. Return 5:00 P.M. Distance 8 1/2 miles, vertical rise 800 ft. Difficulty level: Moderate.

August 7 – Rip's Ledge We will 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: MTHS Campus, Haines Falls  9:00 A.M Return 5:00 P.M. Difficult due to some bushwhacking. Due to the unusual nature of this hike, participants should call or check the society's web site (http://www.mths.org) for possible updates. Dr. Robert Titus and hike leader Bob Gildersleeve scouted this hike on July 29th. Read Dr. Titus' account in his Windows Through Time article in the Windham Journal and Daily Mail.

August 14 - Poet's Ledge - Passing three rarely seen waterfalls and views of Kaaterskill Clove we will arrive at an unusual view of the clove from the south side. Meet 9:00 at the Historical Society property Route 23A, Haines Falls; return around 4:00. Moderate

September 11 - Hudson River Ramble Hike: Two Options in Legendary Kaaterskill Clove A choice this time between following “The Road that Couldn't be Built” – George Harding's road from Palenville to the Hotel Kaaterskill with an option to walk along the North Rim of Kaaterskill Clove, or Views of Kaaterskill Clove – the classic scenery of Sunset Rock and Inspiration Point. With good coordination (call that luck) the two groups should meet at the Hotel Kaaterskill site to eat their lunch and explore the site.  Meet: MTHS Campus 9:00 A.M. Return 1:00 or 4:00 P.M. depending on the option chosen.

October 2 - Slide Cornell and Wittenberg Vigorous hike in the hopefully cooler days of our hiking season. Spectacular views at several stops along the way. Meet:  Intersection of Rt. 28 and 47 in Big Indian 8:00 A.M. Return 6:00 P.M. Vertical Rise 2500 ft. distance, 8 miles. One of our most challenging hikes. Difficult.

Also on October 2 Lark in the Park Hike - Kaaterskill Rail Trail Hike Fitting in with the Town of Hunter’s Preserve America Community designation, the GCSWCD Watershed Assistance Program, the Town of Hunter and MTHS are working on repurposing the old Ulster and Delaware railroad bed.  This public trail would extend from the Mountain Top Historical Society property to Laurel House Road for recreational, historic and cultural purposes. The October 2 walk will orient visitors to the route presently planned to access the railroad bed from an old town road, Featherbed Lane. Excursions off the railroad trail to two scenic vistas, Sphinx Rock and the top of Kaaterskill Falls will treat visitors to the geologic wonders of the clove through the commentary of Dr. Robert Titus, the Catskill Geologist." Meet MTHS property Rt 23A Haines Falls 9:00 A.M. Return around 1:00. Easy to Moderate

MTHS does not require membership for hike participation. We do, however, request that you register for each hike. Participants can register by going to the Contact Us page or calling 518-589-6657.  Please tell us your name, phone number and total in your party. The schedule is subject to change. Call Bob (518) 734-9701 or Larry (518) 734-4264 or check mths.org. Notification of changes, including cancellations due to weather, will be made up to the day of any given hike.