Catskills - Catskills

The Catskills od New York su "raščlanjena visoravan", brdo koje je erozija unosila u planine i doline. Uglavnom ruralni i divlji, Catskills su popularno odredište za odmor Njujorčana, ali putnicima mogu ponuditi i puno izvan države. Catskills su u blizini Pokonos regija Pennsylvania.

Regije

Gradovi

• 41.925-741 Kingston - Prvi glavni grad države New York nalazi se upravo tamo gdje se Catskills sastaju s Hudsonom, što ga čini idealnom polaznom točkom za istraživanje regije.
• 41.6536-74.69062 Monticello - Centralno smješteno u Borschtovom pojasu, sjedište okruga Sullivan zadržava osjećaj malog grada
• 42.307222222222-74.2522222222223 Windham - Skijaški gradić na sjevernom kraju planina s čarima svojih imenjaka u toj regiji u Novoj Engleskoj.
• 42.042778-74.11754 Woodstock - Festival se nije održavao ni blizu ovdje, ali ovaj grad unatoč tome opravdava hipijevsku reputaciju koju je prozvalo njegovo ime.

Ostala odredišta

• 41.703888888889-74.3447222222221 Hrbat Shawangunk

Shvati

Catskills različitim skupinama ljudi znače različite stvari. Za većinu stanovnika Metro New York područje na jugu, evociraju ljetne kampove, vikendice i ogromne rezervoare koji opskrbljuju New Yorkom čistom, čistom vodom. Povjesničarima američke popularne kulture dom su u većini odmarališta "Borscht Belt", gdje su mnogi legendarni zabavljači usavršavali svoje vještine pred pretežno židovskom publikom, i gdje se kasnija generacija bacila na mljekaru zbog "tri dana mira, ljubavi i glazba "pod nazivom Woodstock Music and Art Festival. Za povjesničare umjetnosti to su krajolici koji su osvojili Thomasa Colea, Fredericka Churcha i ostale slikare škole rijeke Hudson, prvog američkog domaćeg umjetničkog pokreta. Za muvare su potoci u koje su bačene i vezane prve suhe muhe u američkim vodama, koje je testirao Theodore Gordon i druge legende ovog sporta. Planinarima i prirodoslovcima, 290.000 hektara (1.150 km²) "zauvijek divljeg" zemljišta u šumskom rezervatu Catskill Park ekološko je blago, zemlja u kojoj je odrastao utjecajni američki pisac prirode John Burroughs i koja ga je nadahnula da napiše neke od svojih poznati eseji.

Ipak, za sva ta višestruka značenja, nitko nije sasvim siguran na što se "Catskill" izvorno pozivao. Možda je to bila posada Henryja Hudsona, koja je vidjela bobcats oko potoka kod kojeg su se zaustavili, a zatim ga nazvala "Catskill", koji je bio proširen na daleke planine. Ili mnoštvo irokeških zaliha uz obalu rijeke, koje su Nizozemci nazivali "kats ". Ili pjesnik Jacob Kats, navodno oštroumni zemaljski špekulant. Ili irokezijski lacrosse štapići, mali nizozemski brod ili mohikanski poglavica koji je živio u tom području. Sve je više iznenađujuće jer se opseg općenito nazivao Plave planine do početka 19. stoljeća, kada su djela Washingtona Irvinga popularizirala dugo prezirano nizozemsko ime.

Čak i uz općenito slaganje oko imena, također je teško reći gdje Catskills započinju i završavaju, izvan vrlo nagle granice koju je stvorio Catskill Escarpment na sjeveroistočnom uglu lanca, gdje se planine odjednom izdižu na više od 3000 m (900 m) nadmorske visine od dna doline. Zajednice daleko izvan Plave linije Catskill Parka, sve do obala rijeka Delaware i Susquehanna, tvrde da su ili se smatraju da su u Catskillsu. Možda je jedini stvarni pokazatelj ono što je dugogodišnji stanovnik svojedobno rekao povjesničaru Alfu Eversu: da sve dok u tlu postoje "dvije stijene za svaku prljavštinu", vi ste u Catskillsu.

Povijest

Catskills je započeo prije 350 milijuna godina kao riječna delta, upijajući otjecanje iz planine Taconic na sjeveroistok, tada najvišu na planetu, dok se voda odvodila u plitko kopneno more. U nekom trenutku tijekom tog vremena, meteorit širok pola kilometra (1 km) udario je u deltu rijeke; rezultirajući udarni krater na kraju je formirao planinu Panther u zapadnom okrugu Ulster, jedan od najviših vrhova lanca, postupkom poznatim kao "obrnuti reljef". Na kraju su Taconics erodirali na ono što su sada, a rijeke i more su presušili. Njihovi su podovi bili škriljevci, pješčenjaci i druge taložne stijene koje čine temeljnu površinu lanca.

Kontinentalni zanos i tektonika ploča formirali su Apalačke planine. Umjesto da se razbiju na manje planine i brda, Catskills su se podigli kao jedan oblik reljefa, proces vidljiv u dramatičnom usponu Catskill Escarpment-a s poda doline Hudson u okrugu Greene. Tijekom sljedećih eona potoci koji su odvodili uzdignutu stijenu urezali su duboke praznine. Catskills su, dakle, u geološkom smislu "zrelo raščlanjeni plato", a ne istinske planine, iako bi vam bilo oprošteno ako bi se razlika izgubila tijekom vožnje oko njih.

U posljednjih milijun godina, različita glacijalna razdoblja dodatno su oblikovala planine. Sami ledenjaci bili su dovoljno gusti da pokriju sve planine, osim tobogana od 1280 metara, u gradu Shandaken, okrugu okruga Ulster, najvišem vrhu lanca. Brisanje pod stoljećima leda imalo je neke posljedice, od kojih je najznačajnije uklanjanje bilo kakvog ugljena koji se tamo mogao nataložiti. Ali bila su to jezera koja su zaostala dok su se ledenjaci otapali ostavili su nam raspon kakav danas poznajemo, navale meltwara rezbarujući dramatične praznine poput Stony Clove Notch i Kaaterskill Clove.

Prvi ljudi koji su došli nastavili su dalje. Dok su Irokezi koji su se naselili u južnom New Yorku pronalazili putove kroz planine do ostatka svoje nacije i tamo lovili, pronašli su dolinu Hudson povoljnijim mjestom za naseljavanje zbog plodnijeg tla i blaže klime. Tamo su upoznali Henryja Hudsona i posadu Prepoloviti Maenputujući uz rijeku koja će po njemu dobiti ime 1609. godine.

Ratovi između Nizozemaca i Engleza zadržali su većinu doseljenika da se upuste u planine ostatak stoljeća. Tek 1708., dobro nakon uspostavljanja engleske vladavine, Lord Cornbury, kolonijalni guverner, dodijelio je Hardenberghov patent, pokrivajući većinu onoga što se danas smatra Catskillsom. Podjela i prodaja zemlje, međutim, pokazalo se teškom. Irokezi, kao i nekolicina skvotera u regiji, poremetili su istraživanje do mjere nepouzdanosti, a kako je stoljeće odmicalo postajala su sve veća pitanja o valjanosti dogovora, s obzirom na zasluženu Cornburyjevu reputaciju zbog korupcije i patenta 'spremnost da se obogate prodajom dionica unatoč svim tim problemima. Do sredine stoljeća bilo je potrebno da se cijela zemlja podijeli i započne naseljavanje.

Ipak, Catskills je došao do pozornosti šire javnosti, makar samo znanstvenim istraživanjem. Švedski botaničar Peter Kalm prolazio je regijom na svojim putovanjima do slapova Niagare, napominjući neke vrste koje je pronašao. Jedan je bio "melem od jele Gilead", danas poznat kao balzamova jela i uglavnom se nalazi samo na višim vrhovima u rasponu. Botaničar iz Philadelphije John Bartram otišao je sa sinom na područje Sjeverno-južnog jezera kako bi sakupio sjeme drveta za dopisnike u Londonu. Njegov izvještaj o putovanju iz 1753. godine, Putovanje u planine vještina Ye Cat s Billyjem, bila je naširoko čitana i u kolonijama i u Engleskoj.

Većina ranih doseljenika bili su podstanari, koji su držali svoja zemljišta pod kvazi-feudalnim aranžmanom poznatim pod nazivom "zakup s tri života", kojim su otac, sin i unuk teoretski mogli uzeti titulu na njihovoj zemlji ako su tri generacije mogle plati za to. U praksi se to rijetko događalo, pa čak i nakon što je na početku Revolucionarnog rata ugušen pro-britanski ustanak stanara protiv njihovih neovisnih zemljoposjednika, mnogi su se ratovi protiv rente nastavili sve dok novi državni ustav nije ukinuo te najmove 1840. godine.

Kad se politika regije napokon sredila, gospodarstvo joj se počelo tresti. Izgrađena je oko dvije industrije - turizma i tanbarkinga - što će je oblikovati u 20. stoljeće. Prva je započela s hotelom Catskill Mountain House, blizu jezera Sjever-Jug u gradu Hunteru iz okruga Greene. Hotelijer Charles Beach plasirao je spektakularne poglede na dolinu s Escarpmenta nakon što je preuzeo isključivu kontrolu 1820-ih, a predsjednici Građanskog rata, umjetnici i drugi gostujući uglednici i slavne osobe posjećivali su "Prvu divljinu Amerike", gdje su drugi hoteli, neki na sagrađeni su i planinski vrhovi.

Dublje u planinama, kopači kora ušli su u obilne šume tražeći brojne velike šumarke istočne kukute. Nisu tražili samo drvo, korisno za neke komade namještaja, već malo drugo, već crvenkastu koru. Kad se skine s dovoljno zrelog stabla i prokuha, dobije se kvalitetan tanin za postupak štavljenja koji je neophodan za izradu kože. Šuma je dala dovoljno kore da je većina kožnih futrola izdanih časnicima Vojske Unije tijekom građanskog rata preplanula u Catskillsu. Osim plavog kamena koji se koristio za izradu pločnika, to je bio jedini iskorištiv resurs koji su planine dale.

1879. gost u Mountain Houseu, profesor geologije na Princetonu Arnold Henri Guyot, primijetio je brojne planine na zapadu i jugozapadu vidljive s vrhova u blizini hotela. Već je bilo poznato da, suprotno plažovim reklamnim materijalima, obližnji Kaaterskill High Peak, koji je krasio toliko slika škole rijeke Hudson, nije najviši vrh u lancu. Guyot se pitao što je bilo, a u slobodno se vrijeme s istraživačkim timom vratio u Catskills. Postali su prvi koji su zabilježili uspone mnogih najviših vrhova u lancu, a 1885. zaprepastili su hotelijere Escarpmenta otkrićem da je u stvari najviši vrh u nizu Slide Mountain, smješten 20 milja jugozapadno u okrugu Ulster. grad Shandaken.

Iste godine političarima u toj županiji pozlilo je od suočavanja sa skupim problemom koji je dijelom rezultirao tanbarkingom. Jednom kad su skinuli dobro drveće, gulioci kore često su ostavljali zemlju iza sebe; dok su ubirali dobit, zemlja je podrazumijevala županiju, a po zakonu su bili odgovorni za porez na imovinu koji je dužan državi. Povećani nastali troškovi počinju zatezati županijsku blagajnu, a kad nisu mogli dobiti odgodu, njihovi predstavnici u državnom zakonodavstvu pronašli su još bolje rješenje. Ranije te godine zakonodavac je odredio određena državna zemljišta u Adirondacks biti Državni šumski rezervat, "zauvijek čuvan kao divlje šumsko zemljište". Zemlju s poreznim delinkcijama prenijeli su na državu kao plaćanje u cijelosti nepodmirenih dugova ... i ništa nakon toga u Catskillsu neće biti isto.

Polako se industrija vađenja kamena smanjivala, što je postignuto razvojem jeftinijih sintetičkih materijala i procesa. Hoteli oko jezera Sjever-Jug također su propali kako su njihovi osnivači umirali. Na njihovo mjesto došli su oni koji su privučeni novozaštićenom zemljom, posebno nakon što je zakonodavno tijelo 1902. povuklo "Plavu liniju", stvarajući park Catskill. John Burroughs, rodom iz okruga Delaware, koji je postao jedan od vodećih pisaca prirode, posvetio je neke od svojih najupečatljivijih eseja svojim putovanjima u pustinju Catskill, uključujući jedan od najranijih izvještaja o usponu na Slide.

Drugi je pisac bio Theodore Gordon, koji je tijekom 1890-ih otišao živjeti u planine kako bi se borio protiv svoje tuberkulozne infekcije. Kako bi prošao vrijeme, započeo je ribolov i zaradio nešto novca pišući o svojim iskustvima Teren i tok. Udaljeni izvori potoka poput Beaver Kill godinama su izvan regije bili tiho poznati kao vrvi od pastrve, a farmeri su godinama živjeli od ribarstva. Gordon ih nije samo popularizirao, već je revolucionirao američki ribolov kada je predstavio suhu muhu, razvijenu u Britaniji za imitaciju površinskog insekta, kao mamac. Kasniji ribolovci usavršili su tehnike i razvili nove muhe, a tisuće ih slijede svake godine, ulazeći u prohladne bistre potoke i rijeke u potrazi za slijetanjem pastrve za pamćenje.

Vode su također zanimale New York City, koji je počeo prerasti svoju mrežu opskrbe sa sjedištem u Westchesteru krajem 20. stoljeća. Grad je gledao sve do Catskillsa, gdje je "zauvijek divlji" jezik, dodan ustavu države 1894. godine kao članak XIV., Štitio slivove potoka poput potoka Esopus i Schoharie. Dugotrajna pravna i politička borba oko zemalja koje treba osuditi dovela je 1915. godine do otvaranja rezervoara Ashokan u središnjoj županiji Ulster, prvog od sadašnjih šest koji opslužuju grad.

U gradu je živjela druga skupina ljudi koja bi redefinirala Catskillse. Židovski imigranti u gradu, u to vrijeme zabranjenom u većini etabliranih odmarališta, počeli su ljetovati u pansionima na farmama svojih suvjernika na donjim Catskillima, gdje su barem mogli zadržati košer. Ti pansioni i kolonije bungalova postupno su prerasli u svoja odmarališta poput Grossingerovog i Concorda, jezgre "Borschtovog pojasa", gdje bi deseci zabavljača usavršavali svoje vještine i lansirali karijere koje su ih vodile do daleko većih visina. To je doba prošlo kada su zakoni okončali vjersku diskriminaciju, iako su se mnogi ultraortodoksni Hasidimi i dalje preselili u regiju na ljeto. Danas su velika odmarališta zatvorena, a većina manjih zgrada nestala, ali sjećanja su zabilježena u filmovima poput Prljavi ples, Gospodine u subotu navečer i Šetnja po Mjesecu.

Kako se završavalo doba Borscht Belta, 1969. godine, dogodio se događaj koji će redefinirati Catskills za sadašnju generaciju. Kasno tog ljeta, tisuće hipija iz tog doba okupili su se na farmi mliječnih proizvoda u blizini grada Bethel u okrugu Sullivan radi "tri dana mira, ljubavi i glazbe" iz nekih od glavnih djela tog doba poput Crosbyja, Stillsa, Nashha i Younga; Tko, Jefferson Airplane i Jimi Hendrix. Iako je festival zapravo proglašen područjem katastrofe, pokrećući brojne tužbe, a mnoge su izvedbe bile slabe, festival Woodstock dao je generaciji baby-boom ime i duhovni kamen temeljac godinama nakon što su mnogi tvrdili da su tamo nije bio.

I nastavlja oblikovati regiju i danas. To je najočitije u gradu Woodstocku, miljama od mjesta održavanja festivala, ali u cijelom modernom Catskillsu naći ćete fokus na umjetničko i duhovno, a povlačenja usredotočena na istočnu religiju i New Age mistiku privlače autsajdere u regiju u ljeto. Starije zajednice zadržavaju se, čak i nakon jakih poplava izazvanih uraganom Irene 2011. godine, štete koje se još uvijek mogu vidjeti na mnogim mjestima, posebno u selu Prattsville u okrugu Greene. A planinari i ribari i dalje hrle stazama i potocima, bogatim poviješću svojih sportova, ne samo ljeti već i većinom godine.

Klima

New York City glavninu vode dobiva iz Catskillsa iz vrlo dobrog razloga: regija, posebno područje oko Slide Mountain, najkišovitije je u državi. Ali to nije jedino što se ističe.

Kao povišena planinska visoravan, klima Catskill razlikuje se od susjednih, nižih regija. Ljeta su općenito ugodna i prohladnija nego drugdje (zašto bi inače toliko stanovnika metropolitanskog područja tijekom te sezone dolazilo na planine na dulja razdoblja?), Iako je iskustvo Irene otrežnjujući podsjetnik da regija nije neka izolirana planinska idila izvan dosega bijesa prirode.

Nakon što ljeto ustupi mjesto kraćim danima i svečanim bojama jeseni i njihovim vrhunskim listovima, dolazi zima. A to je druga priča. Poznato je da se prvi snijegovi nakupljaju na višim vrhovima početkom studenog, prije nego što sezona lova uopće započne. S većim dijelom regije s najmanje 600 metara nadmorske visine, obično ima dosta snijega i, u tipičnoj zimi, barem nekoliko noći s temperaturama od nekoliko stupnjeva ispod 0 ° F (-17 ° C). Skijališta unatoč tome imaju dovoljno objekata za stvaranje snijega.

Kako se veljača pretvara u ožujak, a sapline nižu drveće jedni drugima, u snježnom pokrivaču počinju se pojavljivati ​​praznine. Iako su se neka bijela područja zadržala početkom svibnja u zasjenjenim predjelima vrhova, u dolinama je sve to nestalo do otvaranja sezone pastrve 1. travnja. Od tada do Dana sjećanja, proljeće se postupno prikrada padinama, taman na vrijeme za još jedno slavno ljeto Catskill-a.

Čitati

• The Catskills: od divljine do Woodstocka, (Alf Evers, 1982). Za nekoliko regija može se reći da imaju jednu, autoritativnu povijest o njima napisanu kao ovu remekdjelo. U osnovi dugačak (i ​​na 700 stranica, to je duga) verzija gornje povijesti, ona pokriva sve važno što se dogodilo u regiji od kolonijalnih vremena do ere njegovog pisanja. Evers, folklorist po obrazovanju koji je odrastao na farmi okruga Ulster, posvećuje posebnu pozornost legendama regije i pogledima običnih ljudi. Rezultat je višegeneracijski ep koji se nadmeće s bilo kojom znanstvenom fantastikom ili fantastičnom franšizom.
• Planinska kuća Catskill (Roland van Zandt, 1966). Pomalo pregažena opsegom Eversovog kasnijeg rada, ova povijest odmarališta s potpisom u regiji bila je jedan od najranijih pokušaja ponovnog otkrivanja bogate povijesti Catskillsa. Prikazuju se neke od posljednjih autorskih slika rušenih zgrada prije nego što ih je država sravnila 1965.
• Dogodilo se u Catskillsu: usmena povijest u riječima Busboya, Bellhopa, gostiju, vlasnika, komičara, agenata i ostalih koji su to živjeli, (Myrna Katz i Harvey Frommer, 2009). O ljetu je u pojasu Borscht bilo napisano mnogo knjiga i memoara, ali do ovog trenutka nije bio stvarni pokušaj da se ispriča cijela priča. Možda i ne, ali mnogi glasovi pričaju dovoljno veliku priču kakva jest.
• The Catskills: njegova povijest i kako je promijenio Ameriku, (Stephen M. Silverman i Raphael Silver, 2015). Neka vrsta zbijenijeg ažuriranja Eversovog djela 21. stoljeća na sjajnom papiru s puno ilustracija.
• Izrada planina: New York City i Catskills, (David Stradlin, 2007.) Povijest Catskillsa koja se usredotočuje na način na koji je regija zamišljena i mijenjana tijekom dva stoljeća kako bi služila interesima New Yorka.

Gledati

• Filmovi Prljavi ples (1987), Gospodine u subotu navečer (1992) i Šetnja po Mjesecu (1999), većinom su snimani izvan regije, ali djelotvorno prikazuju različite aspekte ere Borschtovog pojasa.
• Previdjena komedija-drama iz 1996 Manny & Lo, u kojoj glumi Scarlett Johansson, vrijedi pogledati kao filmski uvod u regiju. Ne samo da je smješten u divljim područjima okruga Ulster i Greene, zapravo je sniman na prepoznatljivim mjestima kao što je kamp Devil's Tombstone.

Razgovor

• Gunkovi: Kolokvijalni izraz za greben Shawangunk (vidi dolje), posebno popularne penjačke litice na istoku u blizini New Paltza.
• Vrh planine: Lokalni izraz za područje Tannersville – Haines Falls u okrugu Greene, ne zato što je na stvarnom planinskom vrhu, već zbog toga što je jedno od naselja s najvišim nadmorskim visinama u državi (Tannersville je najviša općina u New Yorku; Haines Falls je njegova druga najviši zaselak nakon zajednice Južni nivo Knapp Creek).
• Brzi put: Stariji pojam za put 17, od izvornog naziva u fazi planiranja. Počeo je prestajati koristiti čak i prije pretvorbe u I-86.
• Shawangunk: Greben, grad i potok posjetitelji izgovaraju kako pišu, ali ŠONG-guma od strane mještana.
• Catskills: Regija države New York koja se nalazi između doline Hudson na jugu i istoku, regije Leatherstocking na sjeveru, južnog sloja na zapadu i Pennsylvanije na jugozapadu. Vidjeti karta za više informacija.
• Vododjelnica: (posebno sliv Catskills / Delaware) područje države New York čije se rijeke i potoci slijevaju u rezervoare Cannonsville, Pepacton, Neversink, Schoharie i Ashokan. Vidjeti karta^{[mrtva veza]} za više informacija.
• Plava linija: javno i privatno zemljište koje obuhvaća šumski rezervat Catskill. Dok je zemljište u privatnom posjedu unutar granica ovog područja podložno strogim propisima o okolišu, isto se može reći i za sliv koji nije u granicama. Javno zemljište unutar Plave linije označeno je kao "zauvijek divlje" prema ustavu države. Vidjeti karta za više informacija.
• Željeznička staza: službeno poznat kao Catskill Scenic Trail, prati bivšu prednost prolaska željezničke pruge Delaware i Ulster na 26 kilometara kroz prekrasan krajolik u okrugu Delaware.
• DEC: izgovara se "Dee Eee See", odjel države New York za zaštitu okoliša, koji raspoređuje dvije policijske snage radi zaštite okoliša, Forest Rangers i DEC policiju. Neki mogu gunđati zbog DEC-a, budući da su vladina agencija. Međutim, većina stanovnika i posjetitelja New Yorka cijeni posao koji rade.
• DEP: izgovara se 'Dee Eee Pee'. Treća agencija za provođenje zakona o zaštiti okoliša u regiji je policija DEP (koja nije ista kao DEC) jer zapravo radi za grad New York i patrolira rezervoarima.

Uđi

Zrakom

U samim Catskillsima nema većih zračnih luka. Dvije koje najbolje služe regiji nalaze se na jugoistoku i sjeveroistoku.

• Međunarodna zračna luka Stewart, 1180 First St, New Windsor, 1 845 564-2100. Zračna luka Newburgh dobro je smještena u blizini New York State Thruway i Interstate 84. Izvrsno je mjesto za dolazak ako je vaše odredište u Catskillsu na jugu, poput Sullivana ili okruga Ulster.
• Međunarodna zračna luka Albany, 737 Albany-Shaker Rd, Albany, 1 518 242-2200 (prikaz, stručni). Zračna luka u koju ćete uletjeti ako idete prema sjevernom Catskillsu, posebno okrugu Greene.
• Za privatne avione (uključujući mlaznjake) najbolja je opcija u regiji Međunarodna zračna luka okruga Sullivan, u Betelu, na maloj udaljenosti od sjedišta okruga Monticello.

Vlakom

Ne postoji putnička željeznička usluga izravno do Catskillsa. Stanice Rhinecliff i Hudson na Amtrakova Linija Empire Service uz rijeku Hudson odgovara riječnim prijelazima najbližim Catskillsu i mogu se uspostaviti autobusne veze. Amtrak također služi Poughkeepsie, koji ima najviše autobusnih veza, iako ako na tu stanicu dolazite iz područja New Yorka, morate koristiti Metro-Sjever^{[ranije mrtva veza]} da bi tamo stigli.

Autobusom

Staze Adirondack nudi dvije rute kroz regiju od linije zapadno od Hudsona. Slijedi put 28 prema zapadu do Pine Hilla, planine Belleayre i dalje od Kingstona. Drugi, iz Saugertiesa, slijedi rute 23A i 23 preko okruga Greene, sa zaustavljanjima u Tannersvilleu, Hunteru i Stamfordu. Obje linije na kraju stižu do Oneonte, gdje je prijevoz dostupan i putem usluge Trailways duž koridora Interstate 88.

Automobilom

New York State Thruway (Interstate 87), podijeljena cestarina, primarni je put do regije Catskill za posjetitelje koji dolaze s juga i jugoistoka (tj. New Yorka i njegovih predgrađa).

• Regija Catskills izlazi od 16 do 21: Kao što vas izvještavaju znakovi duž autoceste, izlazi 16–21, otprilike 72–185 km od grada, opslužuju Catskills. Cestarina za tu udaljenost kreće se od 2,50-5,20 USD, uz popuste dostupne korisnicima sustava elektroničkog plaćanja EZPass. Koji ćete izlaz htjeti izaći ovisi o tome kamo u Catskillsu ste krenuli.
• Izlaz 16 - Harriman - US Route 6 - NY Route 17 (Budućnost I-86): putnici na Catskills trebali bi odlučiti puno prije izlaza Harriman hoće li u ovom trenutku napustiti Thruway ili ne. Ovo je vrlo prometno područje, a kao što ćete vidjeti, NY Route 17 (I-86) okružen je mega-centrima odavde do Middletown NY. Nije mjesto za donošenje odluka o putovanju. Putnici u okrugu Sullivan i zapadnom okrugu Delaware (Roscoe, Hancock, polog) trebali bi napustiti Thruway u 16.
• Izlaz 18 - New Paltz - Poughkeepsie - NY Route 299: Pogledaj ispod.
• Izlaz 19 - Kingston - Put 28 - Rhinecliffov most: Najprikladnija autocesta do središnjeg Catskillsa, državna cesta New York 28, započinje kod Kingstona. Nakon silaska s Thruwaya na izlazu 19, krenut ćete ravno u kružni tok i vidjeti znak dobrodošlice Catskill Parka prije nego što prijeđete Thruway. Ne dozvolite da vas auto kuće i restorani odmah iznad nadvožnjaka razočaraju.

Naprijed se nalazi 50 kilometara vožnje dolinom doline Esopus Creek koja postaje sve slikovitija i prolazi, prolazeći pored njujorškog rezervoara Ashokan do zaseoka Phoenicia, najvećeg naselja u hodniku, lijepo oporavljenog od poplava koje su je poharale nakon Irene. Nakon što nastavite pored Shandakena i Velikog Indijanaca, cesta se penje gotovo 600 metara u ravnomjernom potezu od 3 km duž Pine Hilla do razdjelnice između slivova Hudson i Delaware (također linija okruga Ulster-Delaware ), te ulaz u skijaški centar Belleayre. Dalje se nastavlja prema Margaretvilleu, Delhiju i gradu Oneonti na međudržavnoj ulici 88, prije nego što krene prema sjeveru do Cooperstowna i Adirondacksa.

• Izlaz 20 - Saugerties - Woodstock - Put 32: S izlaza 20 u Saugerties, slijedite Državna cesta New York 32 nekoliko kilometara sjeverno, a zatim skrenite lijevo na kratkom putu Državna cesta New York 32A do Palenvillea, gdje završava na Državna ruta New York 23A. Odmah nakon kretanja na zapad započet ćete slikoviti uspon Karanfilića Kaaterskill. Na dnu se nalazi Kaaterskill Creek s brojnim slapovima i liticama, gdje će tijekom lijepih ljetnih vikenda biti lako pronaći popularne rupe za kupanje. S obje strane su visoke litice ovog prekida u Catskill Escarpmentu. Blizu vrha uspona nalazi se kratko pješačenje do slapova Kaaterskill, popularnih usprkos opasnoj šetnji cestom autocestom potrebnom za dosezanje staze. Jednom kad se izravnate, krećete prema slapovima Haines, Tannersville i Hunter, sa spektakularnim rasponom Đavolja staza na jugu.
• Izlaz 21 - Catskill - Kairo - NY Put 23: Izlaz 21 nije samo posljednji Catskills izlaz, to je Catskill izlaz - doslovno. Escarpment i visoki vrhovi lanca Blackhead, treća, četvrta i peta najviša planina Catskillsa, ocrtavaju se sa strane Thruwaya. Ovdje Državna ruta New York 23 polako se penje sjevernom stranom Escarpmenta, pored vidikovca Five State (koji opravdava svoje naplate dovoljno jasnih dana), do Windhama, doma do drugog popularnog skijališta s istim imenom. Na zapadu se nastavlja potokom Schoharie do potoka oštećenog Prattsvillea, zatim do udaljenih zajednica okruga Delaware, Grand Gorgea i Stamforda, prije susreta s Route 28 ispred Oneonte.
• Izlaz 18 - New Paltz - Poughkeepsie - NY Route 299: Izlaz New Paltz naveden je iz numeričkog poretka s razlogom: dolazi s oprezom. Većini putnika na Catskills najbolje je savjetovati da nastave prema sjeveru, još jednim izlazom Thruway (19) i koriste put 28 za pristup regiji. Međutim, neustrašivi putnici možda žele probati Povratak preko Rezervat Rondout - Claryville - Frost Valley - Slide Mountain - Big Indian. Na Big Indianu se može ponovno pridružiti Route 28.

Dva su dijela ovog putovanja:

Prvo je vožnja od Thruwaya na izlazu 18 / New Paltz do sela Napanoch (na američkoj ruti 209, 3 kilometra sjeverno od Ellenvillea) kroz Minnewaska State Park.

Druga polovica putovanja započinje u selu Napanoch na spoju američke rute 209 i rute 55 okruga Ulster. Na kraju će voditi kroz Claryville, pokraj planine Slide i dalje do Velikog Indijanaca u okrugu Ulster, NY i državnoj ruti 28.

Ova ruta može biti odredište za sebe. Duž ove rute ima mnogo prekrasnih planinarskih staza Catskill. Istočni kraj FLT-a nalazi se na mjestu koje više nije ni selo, a zove se Dennning. FLT započinje (završava?) Na Dugom putu, a sjeverno od Claryvillea na ruti 47 okruga Ulster nalazi se Frost Valley, a sjeverno od nje je Slide Mountain, glavni trofejni vrh Catskillsa.

Potražite kartu - i ponesite je sa sobom - za više detalja o ovoj ruti. Dok ste u Claryvilleu, svratite do Country Deli-a, koji je čist, moderan i nudi izvrsnu hranu. Ovo putovanje pokriva neki udaljeni teritorij, pa pripazite da vaš spremnik goriva ima najmanje 3/4 spremnika.

Ruta države New York 17: je autocesta u procesu pretvaranja u Međudržavna 86.

• Državna ruta NY 17 s jugoistoka: Put 17 započinje put prema zapadu Thruway izlazom 16 u Harrimanu. U ranim godinama zvao se Brzi put, zbog brzog putovanja koje je ponudio mnogim odmaralištima u okrugu Sullivan i ribarskim mjestima Beaver Kill-a i gornjeg sustava Delaware-a.
• Državna ruta NY 17 sa sjeverozapada: također je jedina brza cesta koja vodi do Catskillsa sa njihova zapada; vrlo slikovita ruta iz tog smjera započinje od međudržavne ulice 81 južno od Binghamton i vodi vas duž gornjih ogranaka Delawarea, a zatim Beaver Kill, koji su obično dobro lovljeni u sezoni, na putu do okruga Sullivan.
• Državna ruta NY 17 u okrugu Delaware: Otprilike sat i petnaest minuta sjeverno od čvora Thruway / Route 17 u Woodburyju (i nešto više od dva sata od Bronxa) nalazi se selo Roscoe, NY. U ovom trenutku, i sljedećih 35-ak milja sjeverno, autocesta ne samo da pruža južni pristup Catskillsu (kao što je to učinio od prelaska grebena Shawangunk), već je uistinu unutar Catskillsa, sa svom svojom slikovitom ljepotom .
• Selo Roscoe, u okrugu Delaware, dom je Roscoe Diner-a, što je samo po sebi orijentir. Put 206 započinje u Roscoeu i kreće uglavnom prema sjeverozapadu, preko okruga Delaware, pa do Greenea, NY, a zatim do Whitney Pointa, New York, na međudržavnoj ulici 81. Put 206 je pristupni put do najtiših gradova (Downsville, Walton, Masonville, Franklin ) najtiše županije (okruga Delaware) koju Catskills može ponuditi.
• Petkom navečer: Ako vas planovi odvedu na Catskills u petak, razmislite o odlasku bliže večernjim satima jer su mnogi koji kreću prema planinama pravoslavni Židovi koji rano napuštaju grad kako bi stigli prije zalaska sunca i održali subotu; ceste će možda biti malo jasnije po mraku. Na putu 17 može biti gužva petkom i nedjeljom tijekom ljetnih mjeseci, posebno oko križanja s NYS Thruway, zbog blizine susjednog trgovačkog centra Woodbury Commons.

Interstate 88: spans the 140 mile distance form Albany NY to Binghamton NY, with Oneonta NY roughly the half-way point between these two cities. This modern, limited access, divided, non-toll road does not enter the Catskills at any point, but it is worth listing this road as an important contributor to access by car into the Catskills.

• Exit 23 (Schoharie): New York State Route 30 (actually 30A for 1 mile) proceeds south from Interstate 88 for 35 miles until the village of Stamford, and the midpoint of the Catskill Rail Tail.
• Exit 15 (Oneonta): New York State Route 28 proceeds south from Interstate 88 for 21 miles until the village of Delhi, the county seat of Delaware County, the westernmost county of the Catskills.
• Exit 10 (Sidney) Delaware County Route 8 proceeds south from Interstate 88 for 6 miles until the crossroads of Masonville, NY. Within a mile or two of the blinking light at Masonville are several access points to the Finger Lakes Trail and four state forest areas: Beals Pond, Arctic China, Steam Mill and Barbour Brook State Forests. These lands are the absolute westernmost hiking and hunting lands of the Catskills region, and seem like an 'undiscovered land' to the few visitors to the area.

Zaobiđi se

Biciklom

Some of the state routes through and within the region are also designated as bike routes. In addition, the state Department of Environmental Conservation is considering formally allowing mountain bikers to use some unpaved roads within the Forest Preserve areas, which would make some shortcuts possible.

• Catskill Scenic Trail: AKA 'The Rail Trail' is a 26 mile multi-use trail (hiking, jogging, biking, horseback riding, skiing and snowshoeing) that follows along the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad right of way in Delaware County. The trail runs alongside NYS routes 10, 23 and 30, through the hamlets of Bloomville, South Kortright, Hobart, Stamford, Grand Gorge and Roxbury. Access points which include dedicated parking are available at Bloomville and Stamford. The trail does cross roads at various points, caution should be exercised at these crossings.
• Pogledajte To Do section below for more biking information.

Autobusom

• While Ulster County Area Transit (UCAT) serves primarily the more populous eastern half of the county, it has lines to Ellenville and Belleayre.
• Greene County's Rip van Winkle Express Bus service^{[mrtva veza]} mainly connects outlying areas, including some in the mountains, with Catskill, the county seat. Service is limited.

Automobilom

Several ways to enter the Catskills, as alternatives to the main routes include:

• New York State Route 213 is a roundabout back road from Kingston to the Ashokan Reservoir. If you've got more time than you need get between them along Route 28, consider following Route 213 down Rondout Creek, past the bed of the old Delaware and Hudson Canal, through the picturesque hamlets of Rosendale, High Falls and Stone Ridge. From there Route 213 plunges through dense woods to drop you off just in front of the reservoir's main spillway, now closed to cars but not pedestrians.
• Ulster County Route 47 is described in the section above (see Thruway Exit 18/New Paltz) as part of a 'back route' that originates in New Paltz and winds its way to Big Indian on Route 28 in Ulster County. This route is not a casual drive or for people who get lost easily.

Roads that traverse the more mountainous area of the Catskills include:

• New York State Route 42: the northern segment of this road goes through the dramatic Deep Notch between Halcott and Sherrill mountains, both major peaks of the range, shortly after leaving Route 28 at Big Indian. It then descends past West Kill, following the creek of that name to Schoharie Creek at Lexington, where it connects to Route 23A.
• New York State Route 214: probably the most-used Catskills interior route, New York State Route 214 follows Stony Clove Creek up from Route 28 at Phoenicia through Stony Clove Notch, the pass between Plateau and Hunter mountains pictured at the top of this page. North of there it connects to Route 23A between Hunter and Tannersville.
• New York State Route 296: just west of Hunter, New York State Route 296 climbs north from 23A, offering some beautiful views of Hunter and Rusk mountains in the rear view mirror. It continues to Route 23 at Hensonville.

In Delaware County, try exploring the roads surrounding the two main reservoirs, the Cannonsville and the Pepacton. These roads are actually owned and maintained by the City of New York, and travel through the pristine landscape responsible for supplying NYC with drinking water.

• New York State Route 10 is a beautiful drive, beginning just north of Deposit, heading west past the Cannonsville, it continues on through the villages of Walton, Delhi and Stamford, before heading north and out of the county. Along the way is provides access to the Catskill Rail Trail at Bloomville, Hobart and Stamford.
• New York State Route 30 begins at the interchange with NY Route 17 (Future I-86) in the Town of Hancock, and follows the East Branch Delaware River to Downsville. East of Downsville, NY 30 runs along the south side of the Pepacton Reservoir and briefly overlaps NY 28 in Margaretville. Fom Margaretville, it heads north east to Roxbury, where the tracks of the Delaware and Ulster can be seen at several places near the river. From Roxbury, NY 30 travels up to the headwaters area of the East Branch, and crosses a narrow gap in the hills, into the hamlet of Grand Gorge, where it intersects NY 23. From there, it heads north out of the region and on to Interstate 88 in Schoharie.

Pješice

As with most large mountainous regions, there have been efforts to link hiking trails into a long-distance network. So far, there have been two that allow long-distance multi-day hikes in the Catskills:

• The 558-mile (897 km) Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) begins its trip to that region at a trail junction in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area, near the headwaters of the Neversink River. From there it heads west, following white blazes past the Balsam Lake Mountain firetower and Pepacton Reservoir, through Sullivan and Delaware counties.
• The eastern terminus of the Finger Lakes Trail is the junction with the Long Path, a 347-mile (560 km) trail from the George Washington Bridge to the Schenectady area. Most of the trail in the Catskills has been taken off the road; the one section where a road walk is still required passes close by the hamlet of Phoenicia. Highlights include Slide Mountain, much of the challenging Devil's Path range, and the North-South Lake area. Generally it follows existing trails on state land; when on roads or private property it follows the same aqua blazes as the rest of its route.

Željeznicom

Although it is primarily a tourist heritage line, the Catskill Mountain Railroad, serves some short-range transportation needs along the Route 28 corridor, most notably for tubers on the stretch of Esopus Creek below Phoenicia. It has recovered from severe damage inflicted by Hurricane Irene; there have been plans to connect its Kingston segment with that one using the old Ulster and Delaware tracks although those have faced strong local opposition from proponents of a rail trail.

Vidjeti

• 42.2015-74.05731 North-South Lake, County Route 18, Haines Falls (NE of Haines Falls along North Lake Road), ☏ 1 518 589-5058, ✉[email protected]. 24. An excellent all-around introduction to the Catskills for either day or overnight. Fish, boat and swim in the lakes, or hike the extensive trail system to the ruins of the Catskill Mountain House and the views it made famous. $22 for camping permits; less for day use. 
• 42.0502-74.03152 Opus 40, 50 Fite Road, Saugerties (Off Glasco Turnpike between Mt. Marion and NY 212), ☏ 1 845 246-3400. Thursdays through Sundays and holiday Mondays 11AM-5:30PM. A splendid sculpture garden listed on the National Register of Historic Places, carved out of an old quarry, with spectacular views complementing the art $10 adult, $7 students and seniors, $3 children 6-12, under 6 free, no dogs. 
• Franklin Stage Company: on Institute Street, Village of Franklin (northwestern Delaware County) Founded in 1996, the Franklin Stage Company is dedicated to the production of classic and new plays that unsettle, provoke, and entertain. Franklin Stage Company’s joint mission is to produce admission-free world class theatre in our rural area of the western Catskills while preserving our magnificent home, Chapel Hall. There is a restaurant on Main Street in Franklin that is usually open on show nights.

Čini

Ribarstvo

Rivers like the Willowemoc and the Beaverkill are famous for their brown trout, particularly in the spring and fall when the weather is cool. Three streams in Sullivan and Delaware Counties — the Neversink, the West Branch of the Delaware and the East Branch — are tailwaters (released from reservoir impoundments) whose temperatures stay cool and fish-favorable all summer.

• Trout Town, USA: also occasionally known as Roscoe, N.Y. This village, located directly on Route 17 (exit 94) has more fishing-themed business than can be mentioned here.
• Al's: just downstream of the Pepacton Reservior dam in Downsville, NY at the junction of New York State Route 30 and New York State Route 206, Al has a motel, sporting goods shop and canoe rental.
• 41.92684-74.842261 Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, 1031 Old Route 17, Livingston Manor, NY (2 mi west on Old Route 17 from Exit 96 on NY 17), ☏ 1 845-439-4810, faks: 1 845-439-3387, ✉[email protected]. Apr-Oct: daily 10AM–4PM; Nov-Mar: Tu-Sa 10AM–4PM. Located on the banks of Willowemoc Creek, this is an excellent introduction to the region's historic trout streams for both the experienced angler and the novice who'd like to give it a try. Childrens environmental education classes $90 once a summer. 
• Living off the land: If you or a friend have been fly-fishing and have caught a trout large enough to consider actually keeping it instead of releasing it as is the custom (and indeed the law in some areas), nothing tastes better than eating it fresh around a campfire, prepared by someone who knows how to cook it.

Planinarenje

The following organizations are worth taking a look into as prep for hiking in the Catskills:

• 3500 Club: The Catskill Mountain 3500 Club, a group of hikers who have climbed all 35 peaks in the range above that elevation, whether trailed or trail-less, as well as a select group of four peaks in winter (and many have climbed all 35 in winter, as well), is the hiking club with the most specific focus on the Catskills. It schedules regular weekend hikes, most but not all on those 35 peaks.
• NY/NJ Trail Conference: If you'd prefer to explore the mountains and trails on your own, the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference produces the standard maps of the region. These maps are a printed on a highly durable, waterproof material and are impeccably detailed. They are a must-have for any hike in the Catskills.
• Finger Lakes Trail Conference: produces excellent paper maps of the entire FLT trail system and has an on-line interactive map on its web stranica.
• Other outdoors organizations that organize group hikes in the Catskills are the North Jersey-New York chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club and several chapters of the Adirondack Mountain Club.

Some of the most popular – and more demanding – hikes worth mentioning here:

• Slide Mountain: at 4,200 ft, it is the highest peak in the Catskills, located in the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County, NY. Trailhead parking on Ulster County Route 47, approximately 9.5 miles south of New York State Route 28 in Big Indian, NY. Not a particularly risky hike on its own, due to the fact that much of the route is an old access road for the (no longer extant) fire tower, however it is physically demanding nonetheless. The risker portion of the trail begins after the summit, on the down-slope towards Cornell Mountain. Wooden ladders have been installed on the rocky slopes, and if one looks out from these ladders, they can feel as if they are nearly hanging in mid-air. Combining the climb to Slide Mountain with the Cornell/Wittenberg route to Woodland Valley (or the reverse) is an impressive, two-car, multi-day undertaking.
  

  Trail to Slide Mountain
• Escarpment Trail: 24 miles of rugged, rocky and at several points dangerous terrain, running generally north/south along the Catskill Escarpment – the huge wall of a mountain overlooking the Hudson Valley of the northeast Catskills. A sample section of the trail can be experienced at the North-South Lake area, accessed via County Route 18, Haines Falls, NY. The entire trail requires three days and two cars.
• Devil's Path: 25 miles of hell. One of the most popular trails in the Catskills, featuring 18,000 feet of elevation change over its length. Consistently featured in hiking magazine articles entitled 'The Five (or Ten) Most Dangerous Hiking Trails in the (State, United States, World, Solar System, etc.) This trail is laid out so that there are quite a number of day trip loops that utilize this trail as part of the loop, but return the hiker to the same parking area at the end. Dogs and children should be left at home for the eastern section (Jimmy Dolan area to Route 214) however the western (Route 214 to Spruceton) section is not much more risky than other trails in the area.
• Hunter Mountain: at 4,040 feet, the second highest peak in the Catskills, with the western approach trailhead located at the east end of Spruceton Road, Spruceton, NY. Hunter Mountain is similar to Slide Mountain in that the trails (the western approach from from Spruceton) utilize old roads to create a scenic, quite physically demanding but not particularly dangerous hike. There is a firetower at the top of Hunter, and during the summer, there may be an interpretive guide – who spends nights in the nearby cabin – to welcome you to the top of the mountain. An interesting – and otherworldly – experience is to take the Colonel's Chair side trail down to the tops of the Hunter Mountain ski area, which is virtually abandoned during the summer. Be careful navigating as you approach the main ski slopes, there is a network of side trails up here that are not well marked.

Less demanding – and possibly kid-friendly – hiking ideas:

• Shavertown Trail: Located in the town of Andes, the Shavertown trail offers families and novice hikers a unique opportunity in the Catskills – a spectacular view after only one moderately strenuous mile, followed by a fairly level mile and a half through beautiful rock ledges and wonderful forest to explore. The trailhead is on County Route 1, about a tenth of a mile north of the intersection of Route 30 and County Route 1 in Andes. Park at the parking lot by the bridge.
• North/South Lake: check with the Forest Rangers so you can avoid the challenging adult-only trails that begin in this area, and otherwise you will have a kid friendly vacation, including gentle hiking trails, a swimming area and a campground.
• Catskill Scenic Trail: see the Getting Around (Bicycle) section above. With children, take extra caution at the several road crossings along the route. Take a break along the trail in the Villages of Hobart and Stamford particularly.
• Balsam Lake Mountain and Fire Tower Trail: is a moderately demanding, and relatively safe trail, in that it follows a wide footpath that is actually still listed as a non-maintained road in the Town of Hardenburg in Ulster County. Begin at Dry Brook Road and State Route 28 the Village of Arkville, Delaware County. Take Dry Brook Road south for 6 miles, make a right (heading west) onto Mill Brook Road, (there is a barn sitting in the middle of the intersection) and then after 2 miles on (a very winding) Mill Brook Road, the trailhead parking will be on your right. The actual trail is across the road from the parking area. The fire tower is attended on summer weekends, there is a nice DEC cabin nearby in which a husband-and-wife team lives for a day or two at a time giving tours of the tower.
• Kelly Hollow: an idyllic setting, including waterfalls, a beaver pond, foot bridges, and two campsites, Kelly Hollow is also located on Mill Brook Road, 6 miles west of the intersection with Dry Brook Road. Stay on the trail when hiking on the hills above the river. A very brief road walk completes a lovely loop hike.
• Western Catskills (Cherry Ridge Wild Forest): For hikers who would prefer to explore the woods in relative solitude, while much less spectacular than the eastern or northern Catskills, the 17 trails in the area south of the Pepacton Reservior (in the towns of Colchester and Andes) are the 'road less traveled.' Wonderful hikes for the family in the western Catskills include:
  • Trout Pond/Mud Pond: in the far southwest corner of the Catskills, near the intersection of Morton Hill Road and Russell Brook Road in the Town of Colchester. Take New York State Route 17 to State Route 206 north at exit 94 (Roscoe) Proceed north on 206 for 2½ miles, take a left onto Morton Hill Road and go another 2½ miles to the seasonal and rugged Russell Brook Road. There are loop trails, two lakes, and several campsites. This place fills up on busy weekends.
  • Huggins Lake: on Holliday and Berry Brook Road in the town of Andes, roughly half way between the Beaverkill Campground in Sullivan County, and State Route 30 at the Pepacton Reservoir in Andes. This gentle, less than 2 mile hike ends at a lovely, very remote lake, that has an old canoe laying around, left there by the DEC for your use. They did not leave any life vests around, so an adult should accompany children on any boat rides.

The western Catskills (Cherry Ridge area) is easily accessed from NY Route 17 (Future 86) Seasonal homes are located on the many north/south roads that run from Route 17 north to the Pepacton Reseroir).

Skijanje

There are several ski areas in the region.

• Hunter Mountain. On the range's second-highest peak in the eponymous Greene County community, is the best-known and most popular. It programs events year-round, and operates its chairlift in the summer for those who'd like to get a high-level view without the hike. 
• Belleayre Ski Center: Outside Pine Hill, in Ulster County, is state-owned Belleayre Mountain, where slopes are less challenging but prices are cheaper.
• Windham Mountain:Windham Mountain, formerly a private club near the north end of the range, comes in third. Delaware County's sole ski area is small but interesting Ski Plattekill, outside Roxbury. In Sullivan County, the very small Holiday Mountain just off NY 17 near Monticello is ideal for families on day trips.
• Platekill Mountain: located near Roxbury, NY in Delaware County, this privately-owned ski facility has ski packages during the winter months.

Brdski biciklizam

• Catskill Scenic Trail: see details in the Getting Around section above.
• Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area: consists of over 7,000 acres of upland habitat in Delaware County acquired by the State in 1961. It is located in the Towns of Colchester and Walton along Route 206. This multi-use area is open to hiking, biking, horseback riding, and many other outdoor recreation pursuits. Restrictions include swimming and camping only at designated areas, and a prohibition of building any structures, such as the jumps built to enhance the biking experience. Ample parking (and trail maps at the kiosk) in a spacious lot off of Route 206 on the mountaintop between Walton and Downsville villages.

Trails for beginner and experienced mountain bike riders are available and well marked. Cautions include sharing trails with horseback riders, and the fact that the roads in the park are open to traffic using the park as a short-cut to remote communities.

• Homer Folks State Forest: located just north of the City of Oneonta, while not in the Catskills region per se, this network of trails is the premier location in a town that is becoming a mountain biking destination. The trailhead kiosk is located at the upper parking lot of the Homer Folks State Facility, which was a state hospital in the 1930s through 1970s. Take West Street past the State University, make a left onto Homer Folks Avenue, past Job Corps, and make another left onto Hill Street. Park as far from the Hill Building at the end of the road as you can, this one-lane parking lot is busier that it seems. The trail are off to your right as you approach the Hill Building.

On these trails, you will pass the City of Oneonta water tanks, and eventually approach Hartwick College property. Call the number on the signs and speak to security if you wish to continue onto Hartwick property. The cliffs at Table Rock are worth the extra effort.

While in Oneonta, there are sporting goods stores both large and small, and a four-block-long urban pub/restaurant scene on Main Street.

• Platekill Mountain: near Roxbury, NY in Delaware County, this privately-owned ski facility has mountain biking packages during the summer months.

River riding

• Upper Esopus Creek: the river experience of the Esopus Creek begins at the small path behind the cemetery in the hamlet of Shandaken, NY which is located on State Route 28, approximately 30 miles northwest of the New York State Thruway at Kingston.

River adventurers riding in inflatable boats should be aware that there are large chucks of either conglomerate rock or actual concrete that can rip open the bottom of the boat. These hazards are located just past the put-in point.

There have been many naturally occurring changes in the river, including tree-falls and washed-out riverbanks that have made river-riding dangerous. Fortunately, they have been repaired, but since history is an indicator of future events, it could happen again. Most dramatically, sections of track from the former Delaware and Ulster Rail Road, which closely parallels the river (as does Route 28) have draped into the river as a result of wash-outs of the track bed. Again, these have been repaired, but the lesson is that rivers are ever-changing creatures.

Nemoj put-in at the Shandaken Tunnel, also known as the Portal, or the Chute. The water in the Chute is exiting the 18 mile-long tunnel, coming from the Schoharie Reservoir, on its way to the Ashokan Reservoir. It exits the tunnel with furious force. Fatalities occur here at a distressingly frequent rate.

Jesti

The eastern Catskills have as their lifeblood the dollars brought into the region by skiers, hunters, anglers and other tourists. Therefore, in the villages of Hunter, Windham, Woodstock and Tannersville, there is an ample supply of excellent restaurants. A walk down Main Street in each of these villages will yield the opportunity to dine in a different location each night, and yield no disappointments.

The same cannot be said as you travel west, however.

As it turns out, the western Catskills, while arguably even more picturesque than the east, have lower mountains – they are hills, really – and between those hills are valleys of rich soil and gentle rivers. And that means farming. Lots of it.

People make their homes in the western Catskills. Delaware County may have the lowest population of any county in New York south of the Adiraondacks, but these are real, hardworking people. At best, you may get a slight wave from them on a quiet county road.

But you are not going to get them to open a restaurant, not just for you.

Take a ride west, into farm country, and take a village by village look at where you may want to stop in to eat:

• Shokan: Still in the eastern part of the Catskills, many tourists and residents alike utilize Route 28 as an entryway to the Catskills area. Purely a utilitarian stop, Olive's County Store in Shokan on State Route 28, 12 miles from the Thruway, is a decent place to refuel your vehicle and yourself. A country store with some basic camping supplies is attached to the deli area. Just down the road (Route 28, west) is the Reservoir Delicatessen. Update February 2020: Olive's General Store has hired new cooks, the food (at least the deli sandwiches) are downstate New York quality, and huge.
• Phoenecia: Heading west on Route 28, Phoenecia seems to be an epicenter of something called the 'Hipster Treatment.' To a local, that sounds like a hot bath for a sore upper leg. There are a number of great places here, but they are all a bit pricey and seem to take advantage of the tourist crowd. There are few local food specialties, but one you may want to try to is fresh maple syrup, after the sap season in late February. You can easily buy some to take home with you, although it costs more than it would at a supermarket. The Phoenicia Diner seems to always be packed, but just east of there is a small strip-mall with a few excellent and less-traveled restaurants.
• Claryville: Another entry route into the Castkills, Ulster County Route 47, will take you through through some impressively rugged terrain. Most people have no idea where Claryville is, but if you find yourself near Claryville (this is a beautiful wilderness area with spectacular hiking on the FLT, Long Path and Slide Mountain, to name a few), you will be wondering if there is any place out here to get food – other than trail mix – in the middle of nowhere. Yes, the Claryville Country Store and Deli is an excellent, clean place. Be warned: there is no gas station anywhere around.
• Roscoe: people who collect bumper stickers to commemorate their travel experiences used to consider a 'Meet Me at the Roscoe Diner' bumper sticker a must-have. There have not been bumper stickers in a while, but the diner is surely there, serving as a stalwart landmark along a Catkills (and Finger Lakes Region) adventure. Roscoe is located at exit 94 on State Highway 17 (AKA Future Interstate 86).
• Downsville: because fishermen eat fish (one would suppose) and Downsville is a fishing town, there are only a few options here, but they are quite good. Located on Route 206 in Downsville (which is between Roscoe and Walton) the Downsville Diner (excellent breakfast) seems like a perfect location to film a movie that takes place in a diner, and the Old Schoolhouse Inn, besides being in a beautiful building, has juicy steaks and burgers.
• Margaretville: is a solid half-hour past Phoenecia on State Route 28. Margaretville is well within Delaware County, but is not immune from tourist-dollar lust. The village has recovered from the devastating floods of 2011 and has remade itself into an upscale village serving as kind of an entrance way to Delaware County. There are two restaurants on Main Street open until 9PM, and then there's the Bun-N-Cone... oh, the Bun-N-Cone. Children will insist on eating here at least once each trip. Avoid anything with faux Italian sauce on it, unless you have several bottles of antacids with you.
• Delhi: the county seat of Delaware County, home to a state technical college. There are some very good dinner options here, despite its small-town appearance. Some of the places close early (Delhi Diner, 7:30 am to 1:30PM), some are open until 9PM and the Shire Pub is open until midnight. Just down the road (west on Main Street, past the entrance to the college, turn left after Pizza Hut) is a strip mall with a full size drugstore, huge supermarket and Cugino's Pizzeria.
• Andes: was not much more than a crossroads and a blinking light until a few years ago, now some want to crown it the Brooklyn of the North. Whatever. Being home to dozens of antique stores (you can't eat old furniture) the Andes Hotel is pretty much your only option. Luckily it is a busy, fun place, with a restaurant, bar, motel out back, and an occasional live act entertainment now and then.
• Bovina: used to be a village that was not even on the map. And that was a map of Bovina. Today they have a whopping one general store, a restaurant/café, and a rustic hotel that serves gourmet food one night a week (Saturday). The real estate in Bovina sells for Long Island or Westchester County prices, so they must be doing something right over there.

In the village of Bovina Center (Delaware County Route 6 – two miles east of State Route 28) is Russell's General Store^{[mrtva veza]}, which has been there since before any of us were born. The Mountain Brook Inn three miles down County Route 6 is the rustic hotel with gourmet food. Oh, and Russell's is available as a movie location. It's also a must-see country place that pretty much defines rural Delaware County in one building.

• Franklin: if Norman Rockwell were still around, he would have moved to Franklin. A two-block by four-block village as small town America as it gets. Franklin is a dry town (for alcohol, not humor) but the Quickway gas station sells beer. The Tulip and The Rose has Middle Eastern food with the ingredients raised on a nearby farm. Open weekends only (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays).
• Walton: is a distinctly down-market dining experience, unless eating in gas stations with tables is your thing. However, there is one really good down-home type diner on Main Street (T A's Place, 249 Delaware Street) near the cheese factory (that's not an attraction, it's a real cheese factory) and one across Main Street (Gramma D's, 192 Delaware Street) that serves Italian food. But hey, you can always see the Region's Largest Walk-in Beer Cooler (seriously) to make up for the otherwise lack of culture in this town.
• Hambletville: is not a town, village, or even a crossroads. Located very roughly halfway between Deposit and Masonville on County Route 8 in Delaware County, right off to the side of the road, is a huge ice cream cone about the size of an SUV. After a small gravel parking lot, there is a small building with pictures of all kinds of delicious treats above the little window. And the nearest place name on the map to there is Hambletville. Everyone calls it 'The Ice Cream Cone.' Wherever it actually is, there is nothing else around for miles but forest and farms, and in summer, the parking lot is always packed. Presumably, they sell ice cream there. Worth a try.
• Oneonta: While they're not in the Castkills, and somewhat out of the way from the area, visitors may want to stop by any of the various excellent restaurants in the City of Oneonta, in southern Otsego County. Try Nina's, Alfresco's, Fiesta Mexican, Simply Thai, or the Jambalaya place, all on Main Street.

Oneonta is also home to a number of those places where you point to the picture of the food you want, and the lady shouts something to the guy in the back. If you are pulling an all-nighter or live in a university dorm, go for it. However for a decent sit-down meal in a clean place, China 19 is located in the strip mall behind the Recruiting station (across from the Fire Department).

Oneonta is also roughly a half-way point on a day trip from the Catskills to Cooperstown and the Baseball Hall-of-Fame.

• Oneonta/Meredith - While the address is Oneonta, the location is actually on a very rural Route 28 equidistant from Oneonta, Delhi and Franklin. The Polar Bear Homemade Ice Cream and More Restaurant is a mecca of 1950s-style American food and ice cream, the scene with McFly and Biff could have been filmed here.
• Sullivan County: During summer, there are many kosher restaurants open, particularly in the areas of Sullivan County that have a high seasonal Orthodox Jewish population, but they are usually quite expensive. Year round, there are plenty of restaurants selling basic food items, such as pizza, burgers, and fries.

One last piece of advice: never assume you can roll into the western Catskills late at night and find anything open, including gas or food.

Kupiti

• Oneonta (again, not really in the Catskills) is one of the few places in the region with a large selection of 'real' stores. Southside (Route 23) has a shopping mall (Southside Mall) and all the usual big box stores, plus Losie's Gun Shop on the far west end of the strip.
• Delhi has a Tractor Supply right on Main Street in the middle of town, and a strip mall west on Main Street (Route 10) with a huge grocery store.
• Margaretville has a sporting goods store on Main Street, and a nice grocery store on Bridge Street.
• Andes has an entire Main Street lined with antique stores.
• Hobart is known as a village filled with book stores.
• Arkville has an on-again, off-again military surplus store which sells whatever they may have in at the time.
• Between Arkville and Fleischmanns on Route 28, there is a huge home improvement store (Wadler Bros.) which also sells items (flashlights, batteries) of use to the traveler.
• U Grand Gorge, there is a surplus store with army tanks and troop transports outside, if you want to help defend against a Soviet invasion. Seriously, he also may have surplus gear and clothing that may be of interest to a hiker.

Piće

Voda:

If you are deep enough in the woods and come across a running stream or a spring, consider using a hand-pumped water filter to drink the water. However, one should avoid drinking any unfiltered water from any source in the wild except possibly from springs that come directly from underground. These will be marked 'spring' with DEC signs (brown signs/yellow lettering).

Alcohol:

Oneonta has a decent pub scene. But please, have a designated driver, as these mountain roads are dangerous even for those who don’t partake. The State Police and the Oneonta City Police will be watching you drive out of the city.

Better yet, try the various liquor stores on Southside in Oneonta (near Hannaford's), or Main Street in Walton (across from the bank), and take the booze back to your cabin.

Ostati siguran

Drive carefully:

• General precautions: drive cautiously on all roads in the area if you are unfamiliar with them, particularly those that are unpaved. Many of the roads in the Catskills were built to serve local farms, not visitors, so they take steep slopes and sharp turns. Should you have an accident, assistance is some distance away and will take time to arrive. Be patient: one of the most dangerous mistakes in the area is passing a slow-moving vehicle.
• Electronic devices: cellular phone coverage is not available in much of the region, except for within some (not all) of the villages (and on some of the mountaintops!). If you navigate via GPS, always second guess its ability to deliver you to your destination via the safest and most direct route. Both GPS and online mapping programs have been known to send travelers onto seasonal roads that are barely passable under the best of conditions, across bridges that were washed out in the most recent storm, and along roads that have similar names of other roads in the area.
• Winter driving: All advice contained in this section goes doubly or triply for travel in adverse weather conditions. Some dirt roads have signs noting that they are not maintained (seasonal roads) in wintertime. If your vehicle is not equipped with four-wheel drive it would be wise to consider an alternate route. Even the best highways are not immune to winter hazards; Interstate 88 has been known to get very windy and icy during the winter. In adverse winter conditions, it is best to avoid driving at all. If you absolutely cannot avoid driving, be sure to test your traction frequently by gently tapping your brakes. If you are having difficulty stopping on a level road surface, the next down-hill section of road (this is a mountainous area) will potentially be deadly.
• Summer driving: During summer, many people go into the Catskills from New York City. Some of them drive like they're still in the city, so be careful when driving. Locals from the area, familiar with the roads, have been known to tailgate slower drivers on occasion. It is usually best to pull over, if it can be done so safely, for these people.
• Heavy rainfall: Rain can also turn some of those roads into quagmires. Paved roads are by no means immune, especially if they travel alongside rivers or if they travel through narrow gaps between mountains. NY 268 (Hancock to Cannonsville) has been closed for months at a time in the wake of major storms due to flooding and landslides, for instance. The rivers of the Catskills have been known to over-top their banks suddenly after a rainfall, even several days after heavy rain. Nemoj attempt to drive through standing water of any depth; several inches of water will cause your car to hydroplane, more than that may cause your car to literally float away.
• Sudden turns and curves: There are many locations throughout the Catskills in which a two-lane, paved, well-marked state and county routes can suddenly enter a very curvy section. Examples would include State Route 28 between Margaretville and Andes, and another, very heavily travelled section coming off Franklin Mountain just south of Oneonta. Many of the roads coming up the escarpment from the Hudson Valley (northeast of Woodstock) have very curvy sections. Be especially careful on Route 47 between Claryville and Slide Mountain, it is very narrow here and subject to flooding. There is a very sharp hairpin turn at the trailhead to Giant Ledge on this road as well.
• Animals: Collisions with animals, mostly deer, are quite common in the area. Most locals have someone in the family who has hit a deer with their car. Deer are usually out in the early morning and evening, but the caution should apply at all times. Honking or flashing lights will be of no use, and may serve to 'freeze' the deer right on the roadway. Better to watch one's speed, and remember that stopping distance increases exponentially with increased vehicle speed. Hitting a deer can be very dangerous; the damage can break the windshield, the deer can get caught under the vehicle, and the damage can be extensive enough that the vehicle's doors may not open. Let the tailgater behind you pass you and hit the deer instead.

Hiking:

• General precautions: Be sure to equip yourself with the proper equipment while hiking. As a general rule and at minimum, wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots, carry plenty of water, avoid cotton garments except during the hottest months, leave plenty of time to return to the trailhead, and expect sudden changes of weather – much more so than in coastal climates. Many hikers wear trousers (not shorts) at all times in the Catskills, there is an increasing concern over ticks, and a walk through a field of stinging nettles (a plant about knee-high with tiny stinging hairs on the leaves and stems) is an unforgettable experience.
• Rugged terrain: In contrast to the conventional wisdom of the Catskills being relatively tame and safe (they are!) there are a small number of exceedingly challenging hikes (climbs, really) in the Catskills. Devil's Path is consistently listed as one of the most dangerous hikes in the nation, if not the world. What really should be said of this or any outdoor adventure is that it is potentially dangerous, in that it may be rugged and comprised of many difficult obstacles, but the hikers who travel this trail are well-educated about its hazards and prepare accordingly. Nevertheless, there are one or two fatalities a year in the Catskills, usually fall-related.
• Choose clothing wisely: Always expect, and equip for, a sudden change in weather – concerning temperature, precipitation and wind – in all seasons. A mid-weight fleece jacket, known to be water resistant (not just advertised as such) in a bright color, is the quintessential 'I'd rather have it and not need it' item that may just save your life, or at least eliminate the adjective 'miserable' from a day turned cold and rainy. Wear socks (year 'round) with a wool content as high as you can find in the store, and do not accept substitute materials other than wool. A knit cap for cold/wind and a brimmed 'boonie' hat for a light rain (or very sunny day) completes the list of must-have garments.
• Avoid wearing: Avoid non-breathing garments such as raincoats or nylon windbreakers, except for the most drenching downpour. They are much less comfortable than fleece. Beware of cotton except for the hottest days of summer; despite the resurgence of cotton flannel shirts and blue jeans among the fashion forward, no garments could be more useless on a cold rainy day, as cotton absorbs rainfall and pulls the heat away from your body.
• Planning your hike: There are excellent guide books to the Catskills that are a must-have for the frequent visitor. Interactive online maps such as those provided by the DEC are highly valuable. The New York/New Jersey Trail Conference publishes an excellent set of must-have maps.
• Other equipment: Carry enough water for the hike-in, the hike-out, and a reserve supply. Parents should carry extra water for their children, as little ones usually need more water than they are happy carrying. In mid-summer, dogs need to be accounted for as well, due to the streams drying up in July and August. Also carry a first aid kit, a small flashlight, a compass, a pocket knife, and have up-to-date maps of the trails you are hiking. A hydration backpack with a modest load carrying capacity will serve a hiker much better than a walk-to-school type of book bag. Equipment for winter hiking will not be addressed here, that is a topic unto itself.

Hunting:

• Hunting seasons: Be aware of the various hunting seasons in the Catskills, primarily deer/rifle season, which generally extends from roughly a week before Thanksgiving to several weeks after Thanksgiving. Check the DEC website for exact details. The Catskills are in the 'southern zone' according to DEC hunting season maps. Hiking during hunting season is generally not recommended, but it is not impossible, either, if one takes the proper precautions.
• Clothing for hunters and non-hunters alike: It never hurts to have an outer layer (a fleece jacket, see above) of a bright color with you in any season. During hunting season, it is mandatory for hunters, and strongly suggested for anyone in the woods at this time to wear at least one garment colored 'blaze orange.'

Animal hazards:

• Rattlesnakes in a small number of locations in the Catskills (primarily near Hancock and north of Woodstock). These snakes are not much of a hazard for adults with a fair amount of situational awareness, but they could become a problem for curious children and dogs.
• Skunks and porcupines can wreak havoc for curious dogs who have not been told to keep their noses out of rock piles, caves, old logs, etc. These little but well-armed animals are defensive fighters only, and if a dog gets 'skunked' or 'porcupined', it's probably their human's fault. While a 'skunking' is extremely annoying and unpleasant, getting 'porcupined' can be deadly for a dog; the dog may not be able to drink water, and may even drool so much that it will die of hydration before the quills can be removed.

Životinje koje među neupućenima mogu imati nezasluženo zastrašujuću reputaciju su crni medvjed i kojoti.

• Crni medvjed, suprotno svojoj veličini (samo malo većoj - ali puno jačoj - od najvećeg nogometaša) i svom izgledu, crni medvjedi 'sramežljiva su djeca' šume i izbjeći će susret s ljudima ako je ikako moguće. Ako vam to osiguranje nije dovoljno da se ugodno osjećate, nošenje ključeva ili jednostavno vođenje razgovora tijekom pješačenja upozorit će medvjede i poslati ih na put. Nijedna usporedba veličine, prehrana, divljina, teritorijalnost, ništa čuli ste za grizlija ili smeđeg medvjeda koji se odnosi na crnog medvjeda. Jedino opasno vrijeme može biti ako uđete između mame i njezinih mladunaca. Bilo koji zdrav razum i svijest s vaše strane spriječit će da se to dogodi.
• Kojoti (koji su u odrasloj dobi otprilike veličine malog njemačkog ovčara) komunicirat će paket u paket oko zalaska sunca zavijanjem, lavežom ili uzvikivanjem. Biti u šumi u ovo je vrijeme uzbudljivo iskustvo, pogotovo ako netko čuje prateće korake najbližeg čopora. Ono što se može činiti kao cijela šuma puna životinja, obično je obitelj od pola tuceta kojota za svako čopor, čopori su vrlo rašireni po šumi, a nekoliko kojota u svakom čoporu često su maloljetni kojoti. Kojotova prehrana sastoji se gotovo isključivo od malih glodavaca, sigurno ne od turista.
• Planinski lavovi ne postoje u Catskillsu, prema službeno objavljenim vodičima Odjela za zaštitu okoliša za planinarenje i drugu rekreaciju na otvorenom u državi New York. Međutim, možda ćete čuti priče koje počinju kao takve: "Prijatelj mog susjeda kaže da je vidio jednu dolje u blizini ..."

Zločin u regiji Catskills ima nekoliko oblika:

• Ulični zločin je uglavnom koncentriran u gradovima i mjestima okruga Sullivan duž Rute 17, posebno Monticello, koji može postati prilično grub, osobito noću. Noćni putnici u područje koje dolazi putem Rute 17 trebali bi pričekati dok ne stignu do okruga Delaware prije nego što svrate po benzin i zalihe.
• Nasilan zločin u okrugu Delaware, prema procjenama NYS DCJS u prosjeku ispod jednog incidenta godišnje po kategoriji u posljednjih pet godina, osim za teške napade, koji su gotovo isključivo tuče između osoba koje su poznate jedna drugoj. U okrugu Ulster statistika bi bila prilično slična da nije bilo grada Kingstona. Također u okrugu Ulster, selo New Paltz bilježi nekoliko incidenata godišnje, jer je to koledžski grad orijentiran na stranke.
• DWI je tragedija koja će se dogoditi bilo gdje da se dogodi, ali u Catskillsu postoji uvijek prisutan rizik, u najboljim uvjetima, da pobjegnete s ceste u zavojitom dijelu ili da dođe do frontalnog sudara u dvotračnoj traci ceste. DWI samo pogoršava te situacije. Uvijek pripazite na brzinu i budite svjesni ponašanja automobilista koji dolaze.
• Imovinski kriminal je najrasprostranjenija vrsta kriminala, prvenstveno zbog nenadgledanih drugih domova.

Putovanje s vatrenim oružjem:

Mnogi posjetitelji iz naseljenijih područja često su zatečeni rasprostranjenošću otvorenog nošenja oružja. Postoji nekoliko vrsta sitne divljači koju je DEC odredio kao 'otvorenu sezonu', pa imajte na umu da se u bilo koje doba godine može odvijati lov. Pojedinci koji posjeduju domove ili sezonske kabine u udaljenim područjima mogu se baviti ciljnom praksom na svom zemljištu, svatko to može učiniti na javnom zemljištu. Ako vas slušanje pucanja u blizini pješačke staze čini nervoznim, vrlo je razumno tražiti od pojedinaca da prestanu pucati dok ne prođete puno. Ne uzimajte sljedeće informacije kao pravni savjet, ali vrijedi znati zakone i običaje koji se odnose na ovu temu:

• Puške i puške: Država New York (osim New Yorka) ima zakone koji se odnose na duge topove (osim takozvanog 'napadačkog oružja') koji su slični državama koje podržavaju oružje, poput Pennsylvanije i Vermonta. Sportovi povezani s vatrenim oružjem donose značajan poticaj gospodarstvu savezne države i aktivno se i službeno potiču. Vatreno oružje (dugo oružje) treba biti stavljeno u prtljažnik vozila u prtljažnik, a streljivo u odvojenom kovčegu tijekom transporta. Pucanje u metu dostupno je na mnogim malim dometima diljem države ili u šumskom području sa sigurnim zaustavljanjem. Dostupne su lovačke dozvole za nerezidente. Postoje stroga sigurnosna pravila tijekom nošenja duge puške u blizini, ona se podučavaju na tečajevima sigurnosti lovaca.
• Pištolji: Ne transportirajte pištolj u državu New York bez dozvole za pištolj države New York. Pištolji u New Yorku moraju biti registrirani i navedeni na dozvoli za oružje pojedinca. Stoga, neregistrirani pištolji nisu dopušteni u državi New York (čak ni vlasnik dozvole), a niti jedan pojedinac ne može posjedovati pištolj u državi New York bez licence. Država New York ne priznaje nikakve državne licence, unatoč tome što je licenca New Yorka priznata u nekoliko država. Ograničenja za dozvole za pištolje za putnike iz donje države (Long Island i Westchester) ostaju pri vama dok putujete.
• Putnici zrakoplovom koji žive u susjednom Vermontu i koriste međunarodnu zračnu luku Albany kao najbližu zračnu luku svojoj kući su uhićeni ured šerifa okruga Albany nakon prijave kod zrakoplovne tvrtke ako u prtljazi imaju pištolj (i nema dozvolu države NY za pištolj).

Kultura

Blizina gradskog područja New Yorka nije jamstvo da će carine uvezene "na putu" odmah dobiti prihvaćanje na Catskillsu. Upravo suprotno; Catskills su dom općenito konzervativnim, vrijednim ljudima koji imaju zasebnu vlastitu kulturu. Razine tolerancija za druge kulture i navike koje će posjetitelj iskusiti i u kojima će uživati ​​u ovoj regiji, međutim, mogu biti mnogo veće nego u mnogim predgrađima koja su mnogo bliža gradu. Prihvaćanje kulturnih razlika (i sličnosti) uvijek je dvosmjerna ulica, a što je posjetitelj svjesniji i prihvaća, to će više biti i njegovi domaćini.

Religija

Osim okruga Sullivan, područje Catskills naseljeno je prvenstveno pojedincima koji se samoidentificiraju kao protestantski kršćanini. Na tom području postoji vrlo jaka tradicija vjerske tolerancije, a kulturni utjecaj katolika, Židova, muslimana (i drugih) daleko premašuje njihov relativno mali broj.

Budistička povlačenja mogu se naći u mnogim zajednicama, obično u vrlo ruralnim okruženjima, a mogu se prepoznati po brojnim šarenim transparentima.

Muslimanske enklave prošaraju krajolik u zapadnom okrugu Delaware, a jedna u Sidney Centru uzgaja životinje kako bi osigurale svježu hranu za svoj restoran u Franklinu.

Selo Fleischmanns, na jugoistoku okruga Delaware, pretežno je pravoslavno židovsko.

Okoliš

Ekološki su Catskills jedinstveni po tome što opskrbljuju većinu vode za piće za jedan od najvećih gradova u povijesti čovječanstva. I to čine poprilično puštajući da kiša pada. Međutim, za to postoji kulturna, politička i ekonomska cijena jer neke od najomiljenijih zajednica u onome što se danas naziva „slivom“ više ne postoje, a nisu ni generacijama. Posjetitelj se još uvijek može susresti sa starijim ljudima koji se rado prisjećaju svojih domova u davno nestalim selima, koja su sve, uključujući groblja, preselila na više tlo kako bi sagradila rezervoare.

Posjetitelji područja također mogu čuti i biti pozvani da se uključe u argumente o predloženim nadogradnjama energetske infrastrukture, uključujući hidrofraking, dalekovode, vjetrenjače za proizvodnju električne energije i cjevovod za prirodni plin. Lokalno stanovništvo žestoko je podijeljeno po tim pitanjima.

Ekonomija

Turizam je dominantna ekonomska snaga na istoku Catskillsa, dok je uzgoj mlijeka dominantna snaga na zapadu Catskillsa. Uzgoj mlijeka oblikuje kulturu; to je pothvat 7 dana u tjednu, a krave hodaju vrlo sporo. Na mnogim mjestima u okrugu Delaware, gospodarske zgrade možda su udaljene samo nekoliko metara od autoceste s dva traka, kao na cesti 28 istočno od Delhija. To može uzrokovati da mještani kritički prate vozačke navike svih vozača u prolazu, uključujući turiste.

Poljoprivrednike na usporenim traktorima možete vidjeti na svim cestama, osim na podijeljenim autocestama, njihova polja nisu uvijek susjedna gospodarskim zgradama.

Za nekoga tko se želi preseliti, cijene kuća na zapadu uglavnom su mnogo niže (kao i porezi na imovinu) nego u predgrađima gradske regije NYC ili samog New Yorka. Umirovljenike u tom području često optužuju da su "previše platili" za svoju kuću iz snova, čime su sveukupno podigli cijene nekretnina.

Regionalni utjecaji

2015. izvješteno je da petnaest gradova u okruzima Sullivan, Delaware, Broome i Tioga traži otcjepljenje od države New York i pridruživanje državi Pennsylvania: iako nisu.

Postoje zajednice diljem države New York u kojima se može čuti ogorčenost koja prati osjećaj političke nemoći na koju politika Albanyja ne reagira (ovdje ispunite svoju ogorčenost).

Kako to utječe na posjetitelja je to što kad se napušta bogata dolina Hudson i približava se južnom sloju i središnjem New Yorku, stanovnici tog područja manje se identificiraju kao pripadnici šireg gradskog područja, a više kao "jednostavni seoski ljudi" čak možda i apalački u smislu kulture.

Lov i vatreno oružje

U kasnu jesen Catskills postaju narančasti, ne od lišća, već od šešira i prsluka koje nose lovci. Vrijeme je, četiri vikenda poznatog kao "sezona pušaka", kada čak i oni koji se žestoko protive lovu privremeno odustaju od borbe i predaju šumu muškarcima i ženama s oružjem. Htjeli ili ne, lov i vatreno oružje vrlo su dio kulture sjeverne države New Yorka.

U svim godišnjim dobima postoji i snažna tradicija vatrenog oružja koje se nosi za samoobranu. Ne zamarajte se svađom - čak i ako je istina - da su ljudi u manjoj mjeri od glatkog klizanja i pada na nazubljene stijene na sigurnom u šumama Catskill. Nije u tome stvar.

2015. godine, svaki od županijskih šerifa regije Catskills izdao je otvorena pisma vlasnicima licenci za pištolje, potičući ih da nose pištolje kao odvraćanje od kriminala, a možda i terorizma.

Opet, nije stvar i u mogućnosti da se to dogodi u tako udaljenom području. Amerikanci će i dalje odgovarati na "poziv na oružje".

Ako vidite civila koji poštuje zakon i nosi pištolj u Catskillsu, ne dopustite da vam smeta. Ta osoba samo radi ono što smatra da je ispravno kao Amerikanac. Možda se nećete složiti, i to je vaše pravo.

Sezona lova na nelovce

Ovdje se neće raspravljati o sigurnosti / riziku ulaska u šumu tijekom lovne sezone, ali nošenje prsluka u boji "plave narančaste boje" dobra je ideja za bilo tko tijekom sezone lova, uključujući kućne ljubimce.

Prometni prsluci (za ljude) mogu se kupiti u bilo kojem Home Depou ili Lowesu prije vašeg putovanja. Tractor Supply (Oneonta, Delhi, Liberty) prodaje široku paletu blistavih narančastih šešira i prsluka.

Odjeća poput Lands End jakna za pseću odjeću u jarkoj boji idealni su za vašeg ljubimca. Pse držite barem u pasu za pseće jarko obojene trake na kojima je vezana traka jarkih boja.

Zakon države New York zabranjuje javnosti namjerno uznemiravanje ili uznemiravanje (uznemiravanje) licenciranih lovaca, 'lovac' je onaj tko posjeduje vatreno oružje ili luk, lovačku dozvolu i tko očito ne krivolovi ili neovlaštava. U to vrijeme ne trebaju se aktivno baviti lovom da bi bili zaštićeni tim zakonom. Od uznemiravanja su zaštićene i nenaoružane osobe koje prate lovca.

Zabava

Unatoč propasti Borschtova pojasa, u Catskillsu još uvijek postoje zabavna mjesta svjetske klase, kao što postoje zabavljači svjetske klase. Tematska glazba iz dokumentarca Kena Burnsa Građanski rat s pravom Oproštaj od Ashokana nije bio autentičan za to doba. Obožavatelji ga smatraju jednim od najdirljivijih glazbenih djela ikad napisanih, dolazi iz New Paltza 1980-ih.

Catskills su sinonim za Woodstock, ne selo, a stvarno ni vikend mira i ljubavi. Još više činjenica da su Catskills bili epicentar mladenačke pobune - istočna Haight Ashbury, ako želite - pobune koja je okončala rat podjelama i pomogla donošenju zakona o građanskim pravima u korist mnogih.

Upravo taj duh, ne samo nevjerojatna glazba, osjeća se kako odjekuje selom, gotovo pola stoljeća kasnije.

Idi dalje

Na istoku su Catskills susjedni Dolina Hudson, do te mjere da je gotovo nemoguće ne posjetiti tu regiju dok posjetite Catskills.

The Albany Metropolitansko područje, u državi poznato kao Distrikt glavnog grada, smješteno je na sjeveru doline, tik do sjeveroistoka Catskillsa.

Iza nje, na sjeveru, nalaze se Adirondacks, veće od dvije planinske regije u saveznoj državi New York.

Jugoistočno od doline je Metropolitansko područje New Yorka, dom tijekom tjedna i izvan sezone mnogim posjetiteljima Catskillsa.

Pravo na jug je država New Jersey, podijeljena na svom sjevernom kraju između predgrađa Gateway područje na istoku i brežuljkasto, šumovito Skylands na zapadu.

U Pensilvaniji su manje planine preko rijeke Delaware Pokonos, također popularno odmaralište za stanovnike metropole New Yorka.

Gornja država New York ima nekoliko regija na zapadu. Put 17 nastavlja se preko ceste Južni nivo do Binghamton, Elmira, Corning i Jamestown. Na sjeverozapadu prelazak Interstate 88 vodi do Središnji New York.