Mountain Top Historical Society Kaaterskill Trail Descriptions

Van Loan's Guide

Van Loans Guide is the definitive 19th Century guide to the North Lake area.  It was published in several editions over the years and is now available in a facsimile edition from J. C. & A. L. Fawcett complete with period advertising.  It can be found in some local stores.  Several years ago, we published the trail descriptions from that book in an issue of the Hemlock.  Our text is scanned and optically processed from the 1882 edition.

This text decribes trails as they existed in 1882 -- not as they exist today.  Many of the trails described here no longer exist.  Stairways, bridges, and other man-made aids over rough and dangerous terrain have long since been removed.

Most of the walks described in the text are now within lands owned by New York State.  Please be sure to follow all current park regulations regarding land use.

Good contemporary trail maps are available and should always be used when exploring the area.
 

Samuel H. Rusk's An Illustrated Guide to the Catskill Mountains

Like it's contemporary rival publication, Rusk's guide is an excellent source for information on Catskill trails as they existed in the post Civil War era.  A detail of his map -- in some ways better than Van Loan's -- can be found in Roland VanZandt's Catskill Mountain House.

Anonomous Guide to Rambles from the Catskill Mountain House -- by a Visitor. 1863

A 10 page pamphlet published by J. Joesbury Book & Job Printer, Catskill, NY.

The Linger Not Society 1912: Handbook of Walks

A trail guide written for residents and guests of Twilight Park in Haines Falls, NY.  Interesting short descriptions of trails near Twilight Park.

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