Mountain Top Historical Society

Van Loan's Catskill Mountain Guide 

1882 Edition

       *Kau-ters-kill.

TAKE the direct path, following the painted guide-mark (round white, crossed by a red bar) until you climb the second ledge, where, by taking the right-hand path, along which the painted guide-mark (square white, with red dot) will lead you past many bowlders-covered with gray lichen-whose tops are carpeted with moss and ferns. You will soon come to the "Druid Rocks" -several detached rocks of conglomerate, one of which resembles a gigantic toad or rabbit, according to the position from which you observe it. For some distance, after passing these, you follow near the ledge of which they once formed a part; the path then leads you up this ledge and after going a short distance sweeps in a half-circle to the left and brings you to the next higher ledge, where, near each other, are the "Lemon Squeezer" and "Fairy Spring." Water dripping from this ledge has formed a small basin, and at times the border of it is covered with a green moss. The "Lemon Squeezer" is a very narrow fissure in the ledge known by some as the "Elfin Pass."
Just beyond "Fairy Spring" turn to the left, and come out on top of South Mountain, as the path leading to the right is very difficult for strangers to follow any distance without a guide.
Follow the path to the most prominent rock (on which a star is painted) and then the path to the bowlder, not far distant, is easily found.
Return by way of the eastern face of South Mountain and descend through the "Pudding Stone Hall," which will bring you a moment afterwards to the second ledge, where you branched off to make the "Circuit of South Mountain." "Eagle Rock" and "The Sphinx" are portions of the front ledge on the South Mountain. To see the latter to advantage it is well to descend the ledge by a foot-path to the North of it.

Follow the path that enters the mountain at the South-west corner of the Mountain House and look for the painted guide-mark (round white, crossed by a red bar) which leads you first up quite a small ledge and next up a second and much higher ledge, (at the top of this ledge the path divides), the direct path still ascends, and passing through "Pudding Stone Hall" the third ledge is ascended and the top of South Mountain reached. To the bowlder and back along the path marked out is but a short walk. High Peak and Round Top loom up grandly as seen from the top of South Mountain, while the Highlands at West Point and Mountains in New Jersey are visible on the Southern horizon. 

The shortest and shadiest path to the Kaaterskill Falls, begins back of the Mountain House barns, and is very distinct all the way.
There are two fine springs on the left as you go. Soon after passing Scribner's house and saw-mill you reach Glen Mary, near the Laurel House, and cross Lake Creek on a rustic bridge, which is but a short distance from the Kaaterskill Falls.
The above path on the South side of the Lake had better be avoided for a day or two after a rain, as some portions of it are badly drained.

Follow the main road or water-pipe beyond the two lakes, then take the path at the left, opposite the charcoal-pit-follow at the side of the stone fence-and the path through the woods is very direct to the Scribner Road.  Cross over and enter the opposite lot on the right-hand side of the house. The path will lead you across Spruce Creek at the Laurel House laundry, near the Kaaterskill Falls.

On the South-side of the road, near the lakes, is a large bowlder that resembles an alligator with its jaws wide open.

The waters from the two lakes and from Spruce Creek combine, a short distance from the grand amphitheatre of rock, and plunges over the projecting seventy feet of massive roofing to the natural cavern beneath, a clear fall of one-hundred and eighty feet. It then passes a few yards over a smooth flat rock and takes another plunge of eighty feet.
Parties can descend by safe steps to the bottom of the two falls, two-hundred and sixty feet A well-trodden and safe path leads behind the first fall and comes out on the opposite side of the amphitheatre. You can then cross back at the top of the second fall. The Bastion Falls are on this stream and can be reached by a path that follows the stream and comes out on the Clove road.

Start from Scribner's or Mary's Glen, near the Laurel House, and take the path marked out on the map. No visitor to the mountains should miss going to the Sunset Rock, as the view of the Clove is magnificent, and the grandeur of High Peak, seen from its base in the Kaaterskill, two-thousand feet below you, to its summit, four-thousand feet, is wonderful in its mass of unbroken foliage.
The view west takes in Haines' Falls, the Hunter Valley and distant mountains.
A remarkable echo is produced here by the firing of a gun.

Take the direct path up and over South Mountain to the "Bowlder," near which, to the left, is a fissure in the ledge forming a narrow passage-way down through the ledge. The path is quite plain for some distance, but over the stony portion you will find it indicated by piles of stone.
The "Overlook" or "High Rock," is 1728 feet above the bed of the creek below, and is almost perpendicular.
The usual way back (to the Mountain House) is to follow the old wood-road on the east side of the mountain. Just before the rise in this road toward the "Long Level," the path at the right leads to "Moses' Rock."

Go down the mountain road and take the path beginning on the "Long Level" Pass by the old wood-road (leading to the Palenville Overlook) and descend the path to the rock, which is about one-hundred feet in length and twenty feet high. The face of the Rock is covered with moss, and at a point three feet from the ground water issues through a crevice in its side. A path from here leads to the foot of the mountain, directly below the Mountain House.

Follow the main road west, and where it turns to the right, by an open space, take the path directly ahead among the trees.

Cross the mountain road where it turns to go down the mountain, by the carpenter's shop, and follow the wood-road down the bank to the lake.

A few hundred feet South of the Mountain House and along the path near the edge of the ledge, a large hemlock and pine are so near each other that their roots above ground intermingle, forming seats for two. The path beyond here will lead to South Mountain, but the direct path is preferable.
 

Go down the Mountain road to the general entrance of North Mountain, at the top of the second hill (where the road turns to the right and descends) and take the right-hand path. The first outlook is from a smooth ledge along the path, and a little beyond, Artist's Rock is situated. Here you have a fine view of the Mountain House and its projecting ledge. After leaving this point the path ascends some rude stone steps, and a few hundred feet beyond comes out on Prospect Rock. A more extended view both North and South can be had here than at the Mountain House. In the North the Adirondacks are visible on a clear day, and the city of Albany can be seen with a good opera glass. The southern view takes in the Highlands at West Point.
This spot was the favorite of Thomas Cole, the artist, whose studio in Catskill, in which he painted the "Voyage of Life," can be distinguished by those knowing its location.
 

Passing "Artist's Rock" and "Prospect Rock," as above directed, the path ascends "Red Hill," and a short distance further passes to the left of a large rock. This is "Sunset Rock." Walk to the highest part of it, and facing the west, call out in a loud voice, and an echo will be heard coming as it were from the distant side of North Mountain. The path now leaves the front ledge, and passing rather to the left, brings you to "Jacob's Ladder."
One opening into the "Bear's Den" can be seen near the foot of the ladder, but a more interesting examination of the numerous caverns or fissures in the rock can be seen after ascending the ladder and going a short distance to the left, along the top of the ledge. From the top of the "Bear's Den" the view takes in both lakes, the Mountain House, South Mountain, High Peak and Round Top, the grand basin formed by the curve of North Mountain and the distant valley of the Hudson, backed by the more distant mountains of New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont. By many this is thought to be the grandest combination of mountain scenery to be met with here or elsewhere.
Fifty feet north of the "Bear's Den" is a bowlder of very fine white conglomerate, different from any other in this region. Imbedded in the conglomerate rock, which here forms the path, are pebbles of various sizes and colors that show glacial action. Many of them are rubbed and polished.

Continuing on from Bear's Den the path follows the front ledge a short distance and then winds among the bushes and trees of the next slope of North Mountain.
Turning to the left and ascending nearly to the top of the hill, the path to "Newman's Ledge" turns to the right (the path to crest of North Mountain continuing on up to the top).
A very impressive view is here obtained of Sleepy Hollow ravine, Cairo Round Top, the distant valley, and the windings of the mountain stage road. The perpendicular face of the ledge is ninety-nine feet, and is the most prominent one seen while ascending the mountain from the valley.
This ledge is named after the Rev. Newman Hall, of London, and is the termination of the path along the front ledge of North Mountain.

Arriving at the intersection of the path to "Newman's Ledge," after leaving the "Bear's Den," continue on to the top of the slope, and turning to the north, pass to the east of the cellar (a natural cavity about one hundred feet square), and follow as near as possible the highest crest or ridge of the mountain.
When at the second outlook, notice particularly the direction of the Mountain House, and on the descent, keep as near as possible in that direction, as the foliage will prevent the house being again seen. By following this advice you will come out in the spring lot (shown on. map), or, at all events, strike the water-pipe that crosses the spring lot, and affords a ready guide back to the Mountain House.
Around the crest is a long and difficult path, and strangers would do well to be accompanied by some one that is familiar with the route.

Go down the mountain road to the general entrance of North Mountain. Take the left hand path-a wood-road-part of the way along the eastern shore of North Lake; cross Ravine Creek, and just before reaching "Glen Mary," cross Ashley's Creek on a log placed there for the purpose. From here the sound of the fall can generally be heard, distant about two hundred feet up the creek.
Arriving at the falls, cross the stream, and ascend the bank so as to cross back again on the top of the falls, where a well defined path will bring you out on the main road by the charcoal pit, three quarters of a mile from the Mountain House. This delightful and shady walk is recommended to those who wish to avoid climbing, and is a favorite walk with the ladies.