LOCATION: Mount Tremper - Catskill Park
DATE: June 5th, 2008
CITY: Mt. Tremper, New York - outside Phoenicia, New York
DISTANCES: 124 miles from Downtown Manhattan, 63 miles from Albany, 43 miles from Poughkeepsie, 10 miles from Woodstock
DIRECTIONS: Take the New York State Thruway (North from NYC, South from Albany) to Exit 19: Kingston. At the traffic circle, follow signs for Route 28 West. After 19 miles, bear right onto Route 212 East into the Hamlet of Mt. Tremper. At the four-way intersection, turn left onto County Route 40. Follow for 2.5 miles to the trailhead.
Mount Tremper Trailhead Sign
The habits of living in Ohio for 9 months out of the year are hard to break. One gets accustomed to flatness of the area and thus, there is nothing even remotely strenuous about taking a two-hour walk. However, once back in the hilly regions of the east coast, your 'mountain' legs adapt easily.
It's Jon's and my mission to escape outside more often than not this summer. So we started off my summer with a bang. We were hoping to go tubing on the Esopus River in the Catskills, but the weather proved to be too chilly and too cloudy It was time for Plan B, hiking.
While surveying the land in Phoenicia NY, Jon and I discovered Mt. Tremper. The mountain had a hiking trailhead about two miles down the road. The trailhead included maps and places that we should spot along the trail. The maps that they have at the beginning of the trailhead are exceptionally useful, and I highly suggest that anyone planning to climb to the top of Mt. Tremper takes one.
The trail marks four specific vantage points. The first is the trailhead itself and the official registry of those attempting to climb Mt.Tremper for the day. The second, marks an old abandoned quarry that can be viewed clearly from the trail. The third, and most interesting point is the lean-to with excellent sign-in book. In the book, many people shared quotes, lyrics and even poems to describe their experience on the mountain, while other people's entries were purely for entertainment purposes.
The last stop on the map was the Fire Tower on the VERY top of Mt. Tremper. When Jon and I got to the top of the Fire Tower, we greeted by sweeping views of the upper Hudson region. We could see for miles as clouds drifted dreamily over the mountain's peaks and farms. We were also, however, greeted by the lock on the very top of the Fire Tower. Hopefully, future hikers will not come across this obstacle.
Final Consensus: This is a fantastic hike and a completely rewarding one. It truly does bring new meaning to the term "day hike". The grueling trek up to the top of the Fire Tower is completely worth it once you get one glimpse of the pastoral view. When one gets to the top of Mt. Tremper, it is indeed an accomplishment. The hike long, difficult and exhausting, but because of all those things it makes the end result rewarding and worthwhile.
Difficulty: On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most challenging for the average day hiker), around a 7.
Good for Kids: Perhaps ages 10 and up. Younger children may enjoy a short hike on the trail, but it would not be ideal for them to hike all the way to the top.
Length: 3-6 hours
Rachel's Note: Please bring plenty of water!!!! This is a LONG hike and water will essential. Also, insect repellent would be a good idea as well.
