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Sphinx Rock

Chas — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 20:00:34 +0000

Sphinx Rock stands guard over the upper clove above Molly Smith’s parking area. (Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide) The parking area which is used for Kaaterskill Falls can be seen from Sphinx Rock along with Route 23A. While on our trip we heard a dog barking and cars when we emerged from the quiet woods to where Sphinx Rock stands. We traversed the abandon railroads of the Catskill and Tannersville Railway and the Ulster and Delaware Railroad; then found an old carriage road to get to Sphinx Rock.

Nearby to Sphinx Rock is a beautiful view of the upper section of Kaaterskill Falls. On our way to Sphinx Rock we located what we believe to be Prospect Rock seeing both the upper and lower sections of Kaaterskill Falls. However tree growth at Prospect Rock made the view obstructed.

The photo gallery below shows Sphinx Rock, the view from Sphinx Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and images from the Ulster and Delaware Railroad ROW.

Mount Utsayantha (Lucy joins CatskillSearch)

Chas — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 00:01:30 +0000

Boot Jack Rock

Chas — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:40:47 +0000

Boot Jack Rock is located south of the former Catskill Mountain House. Boot Jack Rock and a rock located nearby to Boot Jack have pre-Civil War engravings.

Notable occurrences in American History with the dates engraved by these visitors:

1850- Compromise of 1850

1857- Dred Scott v. Sanford

1858- Lincoln-Douglas Debates

1859- John Brown’s raid at Harper’s Ferry

Blue Trail (from Platte Clove)

Chas — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:00:56 +0000

A huge rock formation along the blue trail. It is a huge rock in the ground suited like a tombstone for a giant. I thought it to be Hercules grave-site if Hercules was to have a grave.

Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to (Tree Images)

Chas — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 19:00:40 +0000

A short hike by CatskillSearch to the Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to and the stream that forms Black Chasm. CatskillSearch started at the Platte Clove Preserve entrance and headed south on foot from the Platte Clove Road. CatskillSearch immediately passes a trail register sign-in . CatskillSearch proceeds to cross the ‘King Post’ constructed bridge which was located in the the Platte Clove Wilderness. The green marked hiking trail of the Platte Clove Preserve lasts for less than a mile before you enter into State Forest Preserve. While in the Platte Clove Preserve there are several interpretive signs that The Catskill Center installed to educate visitors and hikers of Platte Clove Preserve. These Platte Clove Preserve interpretive signs speak about the history of the area and help identify many of the common trees of the forest. At the State section signs are present to alert you are entering State land and the trail markers change to blue. At the junction of Devil’s Path we continued on the blue trail heading south. This brought us to the Devil’s Kitchen Lean to. Along the way we walked by many interesting large rocks and boulders, tree roots growing above ground, and small quarries before reaching the Devil’s Kitchen Lean-to.

This trail further travels to Codfish Point and also Echo Lake on the yellow marked trail.

Below is a interesting tree and it’s root. When I first saw the tree I instantly recognized it from Catskill photographer Vincent Bilotta photographs.

Front View of Tree:

Side View of Tree:

Back View of Tree:

Front View of Tree:

Bastion Falls

Chas — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:45:37 +0000

After a very hot July in the Northeast- It has finally cooled. There has been a lot of rain in the Catskill Region this past week bringing many of the creeks and waterfalls alive.

Bastion Falls is located on Route 23A and is at the start of the trail-head for Kaaterskill Falls. This week Bastion Falls brought many cars to a stop on Route 23A because of the recent wet weather as they drove on the hairpin curve (View image) that passes this roadside waterfall.

The top image of Bastion Falls was taken from Route23A on a bridge that crosses Spruce Creek.

The next image was taken near the trail register for the Kaaterskill Falls Trail.

Giant Ledge

Chas — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:00:08 +0000

Read more information about Giant Ledge and view the GPS track of Giant Ledge on this CatskillSearch page.

The photo gallery is in approx reverse order from the top of Giant Ledge to the trail register at the beginning of the hike.

This Giant Ledge hike is over 3 miles. It is a bit more difficult than several others have stated via print and web.

Spruce Creek Dam (Kaaterskill Falls)

Chas — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:00:04 +0000

The Laurel House (1852-1967) acquired the water rights to Spruce Creek and dammed it during tourist season, charging spectators below the falls a fee to watch as the waters were unleashed and the falls “turned on”. (Link: Wikipedia- Kaaterskill Falls)

Remnants of this dam can be observed along Spruce Creek. There is evidence of at least 2 locations where 2 dams existed. The pictures below show the much larger dam that once dammed the waters of Spruce Creek.

Kaaterskill Falls (top)

Chas — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:50:36 +0000

A few photos from the top of Kaaterskill Falls.

The first image was taken around sunset.

Catskill Scenic Trail 360

Chas — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:19:16 +0000

The Catskill Scenic Trail intersects with the Cold Spring Wetlands Preserve Walkway.

Platte Clove Road

Chas — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 04:38:46 +0000

A seasonal waterfall along Platte Clove Road. I took this photo while standing on Platte Clove Road. My father stands alongside to help show the height.

A seasonal waterfall along Platte Clove Road. My father stands along Platte Clove Road.

Devils Kitchen

Chas — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:01:18 +0000

Devils Kitchen is great spot especially after a lot of rain. The water runs strong and everything is green. The top photo is my father standing on top of a Devils Kitchen boulder. The middle photo shows the path down into the depths of Platte Clove. And the third is favorite of mine. It is the view from under the Stone Bridge.