Rydeshare to Popular NY Trailheads Sam's Point, Overlook, Kaaterskill, Hunter

HISTORY

The name derives from a folktale in which a noted Spanish settler named Samuel Gonzales, pursued by Indians, jumped off the cliff to avoid capture and miraculously survived the drop with the trees breaking his fall, around the time of the French and Indian War.[1] Roads throughout the preserve were built as fire roads in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

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RYDESHARE DROPOFF

WEATHER

Sam's Point WEATHER

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SUGGESTED TRAIL

PRO-TIP

So many other hikers have misbehaved in the past, the park now requires permits to park your car and hike. No permit, no entry and park rangers can be jerks about this. Get your $10 day pass here before you go. Or avoid the hassle and book a rydeshare on Outerthere.com.

HISTORY

In 1921 was the site of a secret organizational meeting of what was to become the Communist Labor Party of America. The hotel again burned down in 1923, and architect Frank P. Amato was hired by owner Morris Newgold to redesign and rebuild it. This design was never completely built, as the hotel's elevation and lack of rail transportation made it difficult for customers to reach the site, compounding owner Newgold's financial difficulties. The State of New York acquired much of the land, and the hotel was boarded up in 1940. Further fire damage in the mid-1960s brought down a rooftop tower which had remained standing until that point. The ruins of the hotel are accessible from the main trail.

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RYDESHARE DROPOFF

WEATHER

Overlook Mountain WEATHER

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SUGGESTED TRAIL

PRO-TIP

Bring extra layers. It's always colder at the top. There are port-a-potties at the trailhead, but in an emergency when there's a line, sometimes the Buddhist temple next door allows access to their restrooms - if you can find anyone there.

Also a day trip booked on Outerthere is a great opportunity to scout the area (i.e. Woodstock) to plan a future long-weekend stay! 

HISTORY

"Kaaterskill Falls is a two-stage waterfall on Spruce Creek in the eastern Catskill Mountains of New York, between the hamlets of Haines Falls and Palenville in Greene County. The two cascades total 260 feet (79 m) in height, making Kaaterskill Falls one of the highest waterfalls in New York, and one of the Eastern United States' tallest waterfalls."

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RYDESHARE DROPOFF

WEATHER

PALENVILLE WEATHER

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SUGGESTED TRAIL

The Kaaterskill Rail Trail to the Viewing Platform and top of the falls. At 3.7 miles, it's almost the same distance as the Scutt Parking lot, but 100% flat. 

PRO-TIP

The walk down to the falls consists of over 180+ steps and approx 800 feet of elevation. Although you can descend and come back up at your own pace, please be aware of your physical abilities. You can skip this part and stay at the top of the falls. 

HISTORY

Originally named Greenland Mountain, in the mid-19th century the mountain was renamed. Like the town and the village, Hunter takes its name from John Hunter, a somewhat despised local landlord. It is not known when the mountain was first climbed, or by whom. A popular local legend has it that Hunter, or some other later landowner, went to the summit with a hand level in order to be sure they had indeed purchased the Catskills' highest peak, and were satisfied until an "unknown" peak appeared on the southern horizon — Slide Mountain, the range's true highest peak but not identified as such until 1886 (which makes this legend unlikely to have any basis in fact, as the necessary clearing at the summit for the fire tower was made well afterwards).

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RYDESHARE DROPOFF

WEATHER

Hunter Mountain WEATHER

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SUGGESTED TRAIL

PRO-TIP

This hike is a beast. But luckily, the famous Phoenicia Diner is just 15 minutes away and Woodstock Brewery 1 minute further. Get great food and incredible local brews at either/or before you head back home.