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Catskill Forest Park
Travel info for this amazing destination in NY USA
Catskill Forest Park is located in NY USA.
Within the Catskill Park preserve's "Blue Line" boundary are the state lands of the Catskill FOREST Preserve consisting of numerous wild forests, wilderness areas and campgrounds. Selected ones are summarized below with excerpts from their official Department of Environmental Conservation websites.
Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest [Trail Conference (TC), Catskill Trails, Map 42] "Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park, Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 13,500 acres of "forever wild" Forest Preserve. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this wild forest is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing and cross-country skiing."
Big Indian Wilderness Area [TC Maps 42, 43] "The Big Indian Wilderness Area encompasses over 33,500 acres of ‘Forever Wild' Forest Preserve lands in the heart of the Catskill Park. Wilderness, in contrast to areas where man and his works dominate the landscape, is where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain. In fact, the Big Indian Wilderness Area provides the user with the longest stretch of trail through uninterrupted virgin forest in the Catskills, offering numerous opportunities for solitude in a remote and rugged environment."
Hunter MountainWild Forest [TC Map 41] "Hunter Mountain Wild Forest encompasses almost 11,000 acres in the northeast portion of the Catskill Park. The forest is located in Greene County in the towns of Hunter, Jewett, and Lexington. Hunter Mountain Wild Forest is mountainous. There are six main peaks located within the forest: Hunter Mountain (4,040'), Southwest Hunter (3,740'), Rusk Mountain (3,680'), Evergreen Mountain 3,360'), Pine Island Mountain (3,140'), and Packsaddle Mountain (3,100'). The area is rugged and there is limited access to the Forest. There are several year round and seasonal streams which either flow to the Schoharie in the north or to the Westkill in the south."
North/South Lake State Campground [TC Map 40]. "North-South Lake is the biggest and most popular state campground in the Catskill Forest Preserve, offering extraordinary scenic beauty, and historical sites, such as: Alligator Rock, Kaaterskill Falls, and the former site of the Catskill Mountain House. An abrupt change in elevation occurs from about 540 feet above sea level at the base of the escarpment to approximately 2,250 feet at the site of the former Catskill Mountain House. The provinces around the lakes have long provided visitors with exceptional views of the surrounding countryside. It is said that on a clear day, five states can be viewed from the escarpment."
Shandaken Wild Forest [TC Map 42] "The Shandaken Wild Forest is a relatively small unit of land which contains several different parcels offering a variety of recreational opportunities for public use. Total area for the unit is 5375.6 acres, located in the Ulster County town of Shandaken and the southern Greene County town of Lexington."
Slide Mountain Wilderness Area: [TC Maps 41, 42, 43] "The Slide Mountain Wilderness, encompassing over 47,500 acres, is the largest and most popular wilderness area in the Catskills. Extensive foot trails provide access to the remote interior, often climbing over lofty peaks with spectacular views. Slide Mountain, the tallest peak in all of the Catskills, inspired poet and naturalist John Burroughs to write: "Here the works of man dwindle, in the heart of the southern Catskills." A plaque commemorating both the man and the mountain graces the face of the summit rock, in tribute to Burroughs and his vision. Aside from the trail system the Slide Mountain Wilderness offers an expansive trailless area providing visitors with the solitude, challenge and independence commonly associated with wilderness."
West Kill Wilderness Area [TC Maps 41, 42]. "The Westkill Mountain Wilderness Area is a high elevation east-west ridge that lies between the Westkill Creek to the north and the Esopus Creek to the south. Westkill Mountain Wilderness is a remote mountainous location of more than 19,250 acres. The terrain is very steep in places with elevations ranging from 1,000 feet to 3,880 feet. There are five named mountain peaks - Westkill (3,880'), North Dome (3,610'), Sherrill (3,540'), Balsam (3,340'), and Sheridan (2,220'). This area serves as watersheds for two New York City water supply reservoirs, the Schoharie and the Ashokan."
Willowemoc Wild Forest [TC Map 43] "Located in the southwest corner of the Catskill Park, Willowemoc Wild Forest contains more than 14,800 acres of Forever Wild Forest Preserve. With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this wild forest is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, dog sledding and cross-country skiing."
Windham High Peak Wild Forest [TC Map 41] "The Windham High Peak Wild Forest consists of 4,300 acres. The unit lies at the northernmost edge of the Catskill Forest Preserve in the Greene County Towns of Windham, Durham, Cairo and Jewett.
The unit is bordered by NYS Route 23 on the north. Here the northern terminus of the Escarpment Trail begins and travels the length of the Unit as a ridge trail. The western boundary is SR 23 between East Windham and Brooksburg, and the eastern boundary is a foot trail from the Black Dome Valley. The northern boundary is the northernmost boundary of the Catskill Preserve; this boundary follows the Catskill Park "Blue Line" for over 2 miles. Elevation ranges from 1700 feet at SR 23 to 3524 feet at the summit of Windham High Peak. Vistas are found along the ridge trail at Windham High Peak and the 3180 foot Burnt Knob."
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