Catskills
The Catskill Mountains, a natural area in New York State are located to northwest of New York City and southwest of Albany. Catskills are a mature dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief. They are to the west of the Hudson River and lie within the bounds of four major counties which are Delaware, Sullivan, Greene, and Ulster. They contain over 98 peaks above 3000feet, the highest being Slide Mountain in Ulster County, has an elevation of 4,180 feet.
Native Americans were the first to dwell in The Catskills. Later it was settled and heavily exploited by the Dutch, English, Irish and Germans and making it a place very diverse and rich in culture. This region owns the architectural splendor of five centuries. Buildings dating from as early as the 17th-century reveal a cavalcade of styles including Colonial, Federal, Queen Ann, Gothic Revival and Victorian American.
The major attraction of The Catskills is its spectacular scenic beauty which has inspired the painters of Hudson River School for years. It offers marvel sources of attraction and different activities where everyone can find something or the other in accordance with his taste. Mode of traveling in this region can be anything from boat to rail or by mountain bike, kayak or glider, on snowmobile, golfcart or horseback. Visitors have to make the choice. Hiking, skiing, mountain climbing, Bird watching, fly-fishing, canoeing, swimming, shopping, tubing, skydiving, camping & excursion trips are major sources of fun. In addition, taste its bountiful food heritage and hand made chocolates with wine from local vineyards.
With in the range is Catskill Park where over 60% of the lands are privately owned, the rest is state-owned forest preserve. The forest preserve has thousands of acres of forests with meadows, remnants of old farmsteads, lakes, rivers, springs, waterfalls, cliffs, fire towers, bears, rattlesnakes and other wildlife, rare plants and animals. Also, there are hundreds of miles of abandoned wood roads and trails to enjoy. Today, it serves as watershed, recreation area and ecological and scenic reserve.
These mountains are not bounded by any season. Each season has something special to offer. Its spring is fresh, lively and green, the summer fragrant, warm and inviting, the fall bounteous, colorful and sweet, and the winter pure and majestic. Once inaccessible Catskills can be easily reached now as its well connected by road, rail and air.
Don’t wait too long. Go there and you will find yourself in lap of nature. Let your eyes enjoy the picturesque beauty of this region, give your family a thrill while you find rejuvenating solitude in the famous Catskills.