HIKING GROUPS PRAISE CATSKILL HIGH PEAK PURCHASE 6/10/1999

Today, the Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference celebrate the state's purchase of Bearpen peak.

Neil Woodworth, counsel to the Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, representing over 100,000 hikers and campers, said:

"We are delighted with today's purchase of Bearpen Mountain, a critical addition to state lands in the Catskills. This purchase preserves this beautiful mountain, guarantees hiking access to a popular Catskill High Peak and safeguards key portions of the Schoharie Creek and Delaware River areas of the New York City Watershed."

From a beautiful lookout bluff on the summit, a hiker can see Hunter Mountain, West Kill and other Catskill High Peaks. Bearpen dominates the upper Schoharie and Delaware River valleys. The state's Open Space Plan identified this parcel as an "exceptional resource". Bearpen is one of the 36 Catskill High Peaks over 3500 feet in elevation and was one of a handful remaining that are not owned by the state.

Woodworth said:

"This purchase demonstrates that Governor Pataki and the state are as committed to preserving the beauty of the Catskill region as they have been in preserving the splendor of the Adirondacks"

United in partnership, the Adirondack Mountain Club and the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference are dedicated to conservation, education, outdoor recreation and protection of the New York's Forest Preserve, parks, wild lands and waters. Together, they represent over 70 clubs and over 100,000 hikers, paddlers, skiers, and backpackers.

Last updated: 01/18/01