Hike of the Week 5/12/2005

Overlook Mountain: Witness beauty of valley and beyond

Location:  Eastern Catskill Mountains, near Woodstock

Length:  5 miles roundtrip

Rating:  Moderate

Dogs:  Very dog-friendly

Map:  New York New Jersey Trail Conference Catskill Trails; NYNJTC New York Walk Book, Map 13; Peter W. Kick's Catskill Mountain Guide

Features: A seven-state view. One of the best views of the Catskills. A panoramic view of the Berkshire Mountains to the east in Massachusetts, the Hudson River, the Ashokan Reservoir, the Catskills and the Shawangunk Mountains. Legendary, touristy Woodstock.

Watch out for: If you have a strong fear of heights, the walk up the fire tower stairs could really be unsettling. Try focusing on the stairs ahead of you and plug away. It will be worth the climb.

Background:

This 60-foot tower was originally on Gallis Hill near Kingston. The tower was moved to Overlook Mountain in 1950 and began operating in 1951. The Department of Environmental Conservation closed it in 1988. It was restored by the Overlook Mountain Restoration Committee and opened to the public on June 5, 1999. Key players in the restoration effort included: OMRC chairperson Leo Smith Jr., Sherret Chase and Dick Voloshen. Funds were raised by collecting donations from visiting hikers at the tower, sales of T-shirts and at booths at malls and festivals. The Town of Woodstock donated $1,000.

Hike Description:

Ascend on a moderate grade up the red-marked Overlook Spur Trail, a wide woods road. At 3,000 feet elevation, reach radio antennas and the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House on the right. The hotel burned in the 1920s before it was completed. At the junction of the blue-marked Overlook Trail, turn right and reach the fire tower on the 3,140-foot summit of Overlook Mountain. There is a picnic table and a cabin on the summit. An unmarked trail to the north leads down to an open ledge with a sweeping view of the Ashokan Reservoir and the lowlands of eastern Ulster County far below. On your way back, stop in Woodstock. Walk around, hang out, soak up some of the ambience and maybe spend some money!

How to get there: 

New York State Thruway to Exit 19 (Kingston). West on Route 28. Right on Route 212 to Woodstock. Right at Woodstock Village Green on Rock City Road. At stop sign, road becomes Meads Mountain Road. Follow for 2.5 miles, state parking lot and trailhead are on the right.

About the New York - New Jersey Trail Conference : The NY-NJ Trail Conference is a federation of hiking clubs, environmental organizations and individual members who volunteer their time and resources to build and maintain hiking trails and protect related open space in the bi-state region.

Information : For a more detailed description of this hike including a map, visit www.nynjtc.org and click on Hike of the Week. For information on NYNJTC activities, call 201-512-9348 or email info@nynjtc.org.

Hike of the Week is a regular feature in the Poughkeepsie Journal Players section, call 845-437-4848. This hike is contributed by Ralph Ferrusi of Stormville.

V3 Last updated: May 22, 2005   Copyright © 1996-2004  New York-New Jersey Trail Conference Privacy Statement.