Catskills - Catskills

The Catskills od New York so "razkosana planota", visokogorje, ki ga erozija obrablja v gore in doline. Catskills so večinoma podeželski in divji, priljubljena destinacija za počitnice Newyorčanov, vendar lahko popotniku ponudijo tudi veliko izven države. Catskills so v bližini Poconos regija Pensilvanija.

Regije

Mesta

• 41.925-741 Kingston - Prvo glavno mesto New Yorka je ravno tam, kjer se Catskills sreča s Hudsonom, zaradi česar je idealno izhodišče za raziskovanje regije.
• 41.6536-74.69062 Monticello - Sedež okrožja Sullivan, ki se nahaja v središču mesta Borscht Belt, ohranja občutek majhnega mesta
• 42.307222222222-74.2522222222223 Windham - Smučarsko mestece na severnem koncu gora s čarom svojih soimenjakov v tej regiji.
• 42.042778-74.11754 Woodstock - Festival ni bil nikjer v bližini, toda to mesto kljub temu izpolnjuje ugled hipija, ki ga vzbuja njegovo ime.

Druge destinacije

• 41.703888888889-74.3447222222221 Greben Shawangunk

Razumeti

Catskills različnim skupinam ljudi pomenijo različne stvari. Za večino prebivalcev Metro New York na jugu prikličejo poletne tabore, vikend domove in velike rezervoarje, ki New Yorku oskrbujejo s čisto, čisto vodo. Zgodovinarjem ameriške popularne kulture je dom večine letovišč "Borscht Belt", kjer so mnogi legendarni estradniki svoje znanje izpilili pred pretežno judovsko publiko in kjer se je kasnejša generacija vrgla na mlekarno za "tri dni miru, ljubezni in glasba ", imenovan Woodstock Music and Art Festival. Za umetnostne zgodovinarje so to pokrajine, ki so očarale Thomasa Colea, Fredericka Church in druge slikarje iz rečne šole Hudson, prvega domačega umetniškega gibanja v Ameriki. Za muharje so to potoki, kjer so v ameriških vodah vrgli in privezali prve suhe muhe, ki jih je preizkusil Theodore Gordon in druge legende tega športa. Za pohodnike in naravoslovce je 290.000 hektarjev (1.150 km²) "za vedno divjih" zemljišč v gozdnem rezervatu Catskill Park gozd okoljski zaklad, dežela, v kateri je odraščal vplivni ameriški pisatelj John Burroughs in ki ga je navdihnila, da je napisal nekaj svojih najbolj znani eseji.

Toda za vse te številne pomene nihče ni povsem prepričan, na kaj se je "Catskill" prvotno skliceval. Morda je bila to posadka Henryja Hudsona, ki je videl bobcats okoli potoka, pri katerem so se ustavili, nato pa ga poimenoval "Catskill", ki je bil razširjen na oddaljene gore. Ali številne irokejske zaloge ob reki, ki so jih Nizozemci imenovali "kats ". Ali pesnik Jacob Kats, domnevno pronicljivi špekulant na kopnem. Ali irokejske palice za lacrosse, majhna nizozemska ladja ali mohikanski poglavar, ki je živel na tem območju. To je še toliko bolj presenetljivo, saj je bil dom na splošno imenovan Modre gore do začetka 19. stoletja, ko so dela Washingtona Irvinga popularizirala dolgo zaničevano nizozemsko ime.

Tudi ob splošnem soglasju glede imena je težko reči, kje se Catskills začne in konča, onkraj zelo nenadne meje, ki jo je ustvaril Catskill Escarpment na severovzhodnem kotu verige, kjer se gore nenadoma dvignejo na več kot 3000 m nadmorske višine od dna doline. Skupnosti daleč zunaj modre črte parka Catskill, do bregov rek Delaware in Susquehanna, trdijo, da so ali se štejejo za Catskills. Morda je edini pravi pokazatelj tisto, kar je nekoč dolgoletni prebivalec rekel zgodovinarju Alfu Eversu: da, dokler sta v tleh "dve kamni na vsako umazanijo", ste v Catskillsu.

Zgodovina

Catskills se je začel pred 350 milijoni let kot rečna delta, ki je absorbirala odtok iz gorovja Taconic proti severovzhodu, takrat najvišjega na planetu, ko je voda odtekala v plitvo celinsko morje. V nekem trenutku je v delto reke udaril meteorit pol kilometra (1 km); nastali udarni krater je s postopkom, znanim kot "obrnjeni relief", sčasoma oblikoval goro Panther v zahodnem okrožju Ulster, enega najvišjih vrhov območja. Sčasoma so se Taconics razjedli do tega, kar so zdaj, in reke in morje so usahnile. Njihova tla so bili skrilavci, peščenjaki in druge sedimentne kamnine, ki tvorijo podlago območja.

Kontinentalni zanos in tektonika plošč so tvorili Apalaške gore. Namesto da bi se razbili na manjše gore in hribe, so se Catskills dvignili kot ena sama oblika, kar je bilo videti v dramatičnem vzponu odcepa Catskill iz dna doline Hudson v okrožju Greene. V naslednjih eonih so potoki, ki so odvajali dvignjeno skalo, izklesali globoke reže. Catskills so tako v geološkem smislu prej "zrezana planota" in ne prave gore, čeprav bi vam bilo odpuščeno, če bi se razlika izgubila med vožnjo okoli njih.

V zadnjih milijon letih so različna ledeniška obdobja še bolj oblikovala gore. Sami ledeniki so bili dovolj debeli, da so lahko pokrili vse gore, razen tobogana v višini 1.277 m v mestu Shandaken, okrožju Ulster, najvišjem vrhu območja. Čiščenje pod stoletji ledu je imelo nekaj učinkov, med katerimi je bil najpomembnejši odstranjevanje premoga, ki bi se tam lahko naselil. Toda jezera, ki so ostala za seboj, ko so se ledeniki stopili, so nam pustila območje, kakršno poznamo danes, hitenja taline, ki so izrezljale dramatične vrzeli, kot sta Stony Clove Notch in Kaaterskill Clove.

Prvi ljudje, ki so prišli, so nadaljevali. Medtem ko so Irokezi, ki so se naselili v južnem New Yorku, našli poti skozi gore do preostalega naroda in tam lovili, so našli dolino Hudson bolj ugodno mesto za naseljevanje zaradi bolj rodovitnih tal in blažjega podnebja. Tam so spoznali Henryja Hudsona in posadko Prepolovite Maen, ki je potoval po reki, ki bi bila po njem poimenovana leta 1609.

Vojne med Nizozemci in Angleži so večino naseljencev zadržale, da so se preostanek stoletja podali v gore. Šele leta 1708, ko je bila angleška vladavina vzpostavljena, je Lord Cornbury, kolonialni guverner, podelil Hardenberghov patent, ki zajema večino tega, kar danes velja za Catskills. Razdelitev in prodaja zemljišč pa se je izkazala za težko. Irokezi, pa tudi nekaj skvoterjev v regiji, so anketo prekinili do nezanesljivosti, in ker je stoletje teklo, se je glede na zasluženi Cornburyjev ugled korupcije in patentov vse pogosteje spraševalo o veljavnosti posla. pripravljenost, da se obogatijo s prodajo delnic kljub vsem tem vprašanjem. Do sredine stoletja je trajalo, da so se vsa zemljišča razdelila in začelo naseljevanje.

Kljub temu je Catskills prišel v širšo javnost, čeprav le z znanstvenimi raziskavami. Švedski botanik Peter Kalm je šel skozi regijo na svojih potovanjih do Niagarskih slapov in opozoril na nekatere vrste, ki jih je našel. Eden je bil "balzam iz jele Gilead", danes znan kot balzamova jelka, ki ga večinoma najdemo le na višjih vrhovih v območju. Botanik iz Philadelphije John Bartram je s sinom odšel na območje Severno-južnega jezera, da bi v Londonu zbral nekaj semen drevesa za dopisnike. Njegov poročilo o potovanju iz leta 1753, Potovanje v gore spretnosti Ye Cat z Billyjem, so ga pogosto brali tako v kolonijah kot v Angliji.

Večina zgodnjih naseljencev je bila najemnikov, ki so imeli svoja zemljišča v kvazi fevdalni ureditvi, imenovani "najem za tri življenja", s katero bi lahko oče, sin in vnuk teoretično prevzeli lastninsko pravico na svoji zemlji, če bi tri generacije lahko plačajte za to. V praksi se je to zgodilo redko in tudi po tem, ko so na začetku revolucionarne vojne ustavili pro-britanski najemniški najem proti njihovim neodvisnim najemodajalcem, so se številne vojne proti najemu nadaljevale, dokler nova državna ustava leta 1840 ni odpravila teh pogodb.

Ko se je politika regije končno ustalila, se je njeno gospodarstvo začelo omajati. Zgrajena je bila okoli dveh industrij - turizma in tanbarkinga -, kar bi jo oblikovalo v 20. stoletje. Prva se je začela s hotelom Catskill Mountain House, blizu jezera North-South v mestu Hunter v okrožju Greene. Hotelier Charles Beach je s prevzema izključnega nadzora v dvajsetih letih prejšnjega stoletja s prevzema izključnega nadzora prodal čudovite poglede na dolino in predsedniki državljanske vojne, umetniki in drugi gostujoči veljaki in zvezdniki so obiskali "Prvo ameriško divjino", kjer so drugi hoteli, nekateri na gorske vrhove.

Globlje v gorah so lupilci lubja odhajali v obilne gozdove in iskali številne velike nasade vzhodne kuglice. Niso iskali lesa, ki bi bil uporaben za nekatere kose pohištva, marveč drugega, ampak rdečkasto lubje. Ko je bil odstranjen iz dovolj zrelega drevesa in prekuhan, je dobil kvaliteten tanin za strojenje, ki je bistven za izdelavo usnja. Gozd je dal dovolj lubja, da je bila večina usnjenih kubur, izdanih častnikom vojske vojske med državljansko vojno, strojenih v Catskillsu. Razen modrega kamna, ki se je uporabljal za izdelavo pločnikov, je bil edini izkoristljiv vir, ki so ga dajale gore.

Leta 1879 je gost v Mountain Houseu, profesor geologije na Princetonu Arnold Henri Guyot, opazil številne gore na zahodu in jugozahodu, ki so vidne z vrhov v bližini hotela. Že v preteklosti je bilo znano, da bližnji vrh Kaaterskill High Peak, ki je krasil toliko slik v šoli reke Hudson, v nasprotju z reklamnimi gradivi na plaži ni najvišji vrh območja. Guyot se je vprašal, kaj je, in se je v prostem času z anketno skupino vrnil na Catskills. Postali so prvi, ki so zabeležili vzpone na številnih najvišjih vrhovih, leta 1885 pa so osupnili hotelirje Escarpment z razkritjem, da je bil najvišji vrh območja Slide Mountain, ki se nahaja 20 milj jugozahodno v okrožju Ulster. mesto Shandaken.

Istega leta je politikom v tej občini že postalo slabo, da bi se spoprijeli z dragim problemom, ki je bil delno posledica lajanja. Ko so slekli dobra drevesa, so luparji pogosto puščali zemljo; medtem ko so pobirali dobiček, je zemljišče prikrajšalo občino, po zakonu pa so bili odgovorni za davke na nepremičnine, ki so jih dolgovali državi. Vse večji nastali stroški so začeli obremenjevati okrožno blagajno in ko niso mogli dobiti odškodnine, so njihovi predstavniki v državnem zakonodajalcu našli še boljšo rešitev. V začetku istega leta je zakonodajalec določil nekatera državna zemljišča v Ljubljani Adirondacks biti državni gozdni rezervat, "za vedno ohranjen kot divja gozdna zemljišča." Zemljišča z davčnimi zamudami so prenesli na državo kot plačilo v celoti neporavnanih dolgov ... in nič v Catskillsu potem ne bi bilo več enako.

Počasi se je kamnolomska in lupinarska industrija umirila, z razvojem cenejših sintetičnih materialov in postopkov. Tudi hoteli okoli jezera Sever-Jug so propadli, saj so njihovi ustanovitelji umrli. Na njihovo mesto so prišli tisti, ki jih je pritegnilo novo zaščiteno zemljišče, še posebej potem, ko je zakonodajalec leta 1902 potegnil modro črto in ustvaril park Catskill. John Burroughs, rojen v okrožju Delaware, ki je postal eden vodilnih pisateljev narave, je nekaterim najbolj nepozabnim esejem posvetil potovanja v divjino Catskill, vključno z enim najzgodnejših poročil o vzponu na Slide.

Drug pisatelj je bil Theodore Gordon, ki je v devetdesetih letih odšel živeti v gore, da bi se boril proti svoji okužbi s tuberkulozo. Da bi si minil čas, je začel loviti ribe in zaslužiti nekaj denarja, pisati o svojih izkušnjah Field & Stream. Odmaknjeni izviri potokov, kot je Beaver Kill, so že leta zunaj regije mirno poznali kot polne postrvi, kmetje pa so leta živeli od ribištva. Gordon jih ni samo populariziral, temveč je revolucioniral ameriški ribolov, ko je kot vabo predstavil suho muho, razvito v Veliki Britaniji, ki posnema površinsko žuželko. Kasneje so ribiči izpopolnili tehnike in razvili nove muhe, po njihovih stopinjah pa jih vsako leto odide na tisoče, ki se podajo v hladne čiste potoke in reke, ki si želijo iztovoriti postrvi za spomin.

Vode so zanimale tudi New York City, ki je začelo preraščati svoje oskrbovalno omrežje s sedežem v Westchestru konec 20. stoletja. Mesto je gledalo vse do Catskillsa, kjer je "večno divji" jezik, dodan državni ustavi iz leta 1894 kot člen XIV, ščitil porečja potokov, kot sta potoka Esopus in Schoharie. Dolgotrajen pravni in politični boj zaradi dežel, ki jih je treba obsoditi, je leta 1915 odprl rezervoar Ashokan v osrednji okrožju Ulster, prvega od šestih, ki zdaj služijo mestu.

V mestu je živela druga skupina ljudi, ki bi na novo opredelila Catskills. Judovski priseljenci v mestu, ki so bili takrat prepovedani v večini uveljavljenih letovišč, so začeli poletja preživeti v penzionih na kmetijah svojih sovernikov na spodnjem Catskillu, kjer so lahko vsaj obdržali košer. Ti penzioni in kolonije bungalovov so postopoma prerasli v svoja letovišča, kot sta Grossinger's in Concord, jedro "Borščovega pasu", kjer bi na ducate zabavljačev izpopolnjevalo svoje spretnosti in začelo kariero, ki jih je popeljala v veliko višje roke. Ta doba je minila, ko so zakoni končali versko diskriminacijo, čeprav se mnogi ultrapravoslavni Hasidimi še vedno poleti preselijo v to regijo. Danes so velika letovišča zaprta in večina manjših zgradb ni več, a spomini so zajeti v filmih Umazan ples, Gospod sobotni večer in Sprehod po Luni.

Ko se je končala doba Borschtovega pasu, se je leta 1969 zgodil dogodek, ki bi redefiniral Catskills za sedanjo generacijo. Pozno tistega poletja so se na tisoče hipijev iz tega obdobja zbrali na mlečni farmi v bližini mesta Bethel v okrožju Sullivan, da bi »tri dni miru, ljubezni in glasbe« izstopali iz nekaterih glavnih akcij, kot so Crosby, Stills, Nash in Young; Kdo, Jefferson Airplane in Jimi Hendrix. Medtem ko je bil festival dejansko razglašen za območje katastrofe, je sprožil številne tožbe in številne predstave so bile manjše, festival Woodstock je generaciji baby-boom leta in leta dal ime in duhovni kamen, saj so mnogi trdili, da so tam, ki so imeli ni bilo.

In regijo še naprej oblikuje danes. Najbolj očitno je v mestu Woodstock, milj od mesta festivala, toda po celotnem sodobnem Catskillsu boste našli poudarek na umetniškem in duhovnem, umiki pa se bodo osredotočili na vzhodno religijo in mistiko New Age, ki bodo pritegnili tujce v regijo v regiji. poletje. Tudi starejše skupnosti se zadržujejo tudi po hudi poplavi, ki jo je leta 2011 povzročil orkan Irene, škodo pa je še vedno mogoče opaziti marsikje, zlasti v vasi Prattsville v okrožju Greene. In pohodniki in ribiči se še naprej zgrinjajo na poti in potoke, bogate z zgodovino svojih športov, ne samo poleti, ampak tudi večino leta.

Podnebje

New York City dobi glavnino vode iz Catskills iz zelo dobrega razloga: regija, zlasti območje okoli Slide Mountain, je najbolj deževno v državi. A to ni edino, kar izstopa.

Podnebje Catskill se kot povišana gorska planota razlikuje od sosednjih, nižjih regij. Poletja so na splošno prijetna in hladnejša kot drugod (zakaj bi sicer toliko prebivalcev metropolitanskega območja v tisti sezoni prihajalo v gore za daljša obdobja?), Čeprav so izkušnje Irene trezno opominjale, da regija ni neka izolirana gorska idila izven dosega naravnega besa.

Potem ko se poletje umakne krajšim dnevom in prazničnim barvam jeseni ter lisnatim poudarkom, pride zima. In to je druga zgodba. Znano je, da se prvi sneži nabirajo na višjih vrhovih v začetku novembra, še preden se sezona lova sploh začne. V večjem delu regije z najmanj 600 m nadmorske višine je navadno veliko snega in v značilni zimi vsaj nekaj noči s temperaturami nekaj stopinj pod 0 ° F (-17 ° C). Smučišča imajo kljub temu dovolj prostorov za zasneževanje.

Ko se februar spremeni v marec in se drevesa med seboj nanizajo, se v snežni odeji začnejo pojavljati vrzeli. Medtem ko so se nekatera bela območja zadrževala v začetku maja na zasenčenih predelih vrhov, je v dolinah vse do izginotja postrvi 1. aprila. Od takrat do spominskega dne pomlad počasi plazi po pobočjih, ravno v času za novo veličastno poletje Catskill.

Preberite

• The Catskills: Od divjine do Woodstocka, (Alf Evers, 1982). Za malo regij lahko rečemo, da imajo o njih napisano eno samo avtoritativno zgodovino magnum opus. V bistvu dolg (in na 700 straneh it je dolga) različica zgodovine zgoraj, zajema vse pomembno, kar se je zgodilo v regiji od kolonialnih časov do obdobja njenega pisanja. Evers, folklorist po izobrazbi, ki je odraščal na kmetiji okrožja Ulster, posebno pozornost posveča legendam v regiji in pogledom navadnih ljudi. Rezultat je večgeneracijski ep, ki se kosa z vsako franšizo znanstvene fantastike ali fantazije.
• Planinska hiša Catskill (Roland van Zandt, 1966). Ta zgodovina letoviškega podpisnega središča, ki ga je nekoliko prevzel obseg Eversovega kasnejšega dela, je bila eno najzgodnejših prizadevanj za ponovno odkrivanje bogate zgodovine Catskillov. Na njem so nekatere zadnje slike uničene zgradbe, ki jih je avtor naredil, preden jo je država leta 1965 uničila.
• Zgodilo se je v Catskills: ustna zgodovina v besedah ​​Busboysov, zvonikov, gostov, lastnikov, komikov, agentov in drugih, ki so to živeli, (Myrna Katz in Harvey Frommer, 2009). O poletju je bilo v Borschtovem pasu napisanih veliko knjig in spominov, vendar do tega ni bilo pravega poskusa povedati celotne zgodbe. Mogoče ne, toda številni glasovi pripovedujejo dovolj veliko zgodbo, kakršna je.
• The Catskills: njegova zgodovina in kako je spremenila Ameriko, (Stephen M. Silverman in Raphael Silver, 2015). Nekako bolj strnjeno posodabljanje dela Eversa iz 21. stoletja na sijajnem papirju z obilico ilustracij.
• Making Mountains: New York City in Catskills, (David Stradlin, 2007) Zgodovina Catskillov, ki se osredotoča na način, kako je bila regija zasnovana in spremenjena v dveh stoletjih, da bi služila interesom New Yorka.

Pazi

• Filmi Umazan ples (1987), Gospod sobotni večer (1992) in Sprehod po Luni (1999), so bili večinoma posneti zunaj regije, vendar učinkovito prikazujejo različne vidike obdobja Borschtovega pasu.
• Spregledana komična drama iz leta 1996 Manny & Lo, v kateri igra Scarlett Johansson, je vredno gledati kot kinematografski uvod v regijo. Ne samo, da je postavljen v bolj divjih predelih okrožij Ulster in Greene, pravzaprav je bil posnet na prepoznavnih lokacijah, kot je kamp Devil's Tombstone.

Govori

• Gunks: Pogovorni izraz za greben Shawangunk (glej spodaj), zlasti priljubljene plezalne pečine na vzhodu blizu New Paltza.
• Vrh gore: Lokalni izraz za območje Tannersville – Haines Falls v okrožju Greene, ne zato, ker je na dejanskem gorskem vrhu, temveč zato, ker je eno izmed najvišjih naselij v državi (Tannersville je največja občina v New Yorku; Haines Falls je druga najvišji zaselek po južni ravni skupnosti Knapp Creek).
• Hitra pot: Starejši izraz za pot 17, od prvotnega imena v fazi načrtovanja. Začelo je izhajati iz uporabe še pred pretvorbo v I-86.
• Shawangunk: Greben, mesto in potok izgovarjajo, kot pišejo obiskovalci, vendar ŠONG-gumi s strani domačinov.
• The Catskills: Območje zvezne države New York, ki leži med dolino Hudson na jugu in vzhodu, območje Leatherstocking na severu, južni nivo na zahodu in Pennsylvania na jugozahodu. Glej zemljevid za več informacij.
• Povodje: (natančneje porečje Catskills / Delaware) območje zvezne države New York, katere reke in potoki se stekajo v rezervoarje Cannonsville, Pepacton, Neversink, Schoharie in Ashokan. Glej zemljevid^{[mrtva povezava]} za več informacij.
• Modra črta: javna in zasebna zemljišča, ki obsegajo gozdni rezervat Catskill. Medtem ko je zasebno zemljišče znotraj meja tega območja podvrženo strogim okoljskim predpisom, lahko enako rečemo tudi za porečje, ki ni znotraj meja. Javna zemljišča znotraj Modre črte so v skladu z državno ustavo označena kot "za vedno divja". Glej zemljevid za več informacij.
• Železniška pot: uradno znan kot Catskill Scenic Trail, sledi nekdanji prednosti proge Delaware in Ulster Railroad 26 milj skozi čudovito pokrajino v okrožju Delaware.
• DEC: izgovarja se "Dee Eee See" na Ministrstvu za varstvo okolja v New Yorku, ki napoti dve policijski policiji za zaščito okolja, Forest Rangers in policijo DEC. Nekateri lahko godrnjajo glede DEC, ker so vladna agencija. Vendar večina prebivalcev in obiskovalcev New Yorka ceni delo, ki ga opravlja.
• DEP: izgovorjeno 'Dee Eee Pee'. Tretja agencija za kazenski pregon v regiji je policija DEP (ki ni enaka kot DEC), saj dejansko dela za mesto New York in nadzoruje rezervoarje.

Vstopi

Po zraku

Na samih Catskillih ni večjih letališč. Dva, ki najbolje služita regiji, se nahajata na jugovzhodu in severovzhodu.

• Mednarodno letališče Stewart, 1180 First St, New Windsor, 1 845 564-2100. Letališče Newburgh je dobro postavljeno v bližini New York State Thruway in Interstate 84. To je odličen kraj za prihod, če je vaš cilj znotraj Catskillsa na jugu, na primer Sullivan ali okrožje Ulster.
• Mednarodno letališče Albany, 737 Albany-Shaker Rd, Albany, 1 518 242-2200. Letališče, kamor boste prileteli, če se odpravite proti severni Catskills, zlasti okrožju Greene.
• Za zasebna letala (vključno z letali) je najboljša možnost v regiji Mednarodno letališče okrožja Sullivanv Betelu, na kratki razdalji od okrožja Monticello.

Z vlakom

Neposrednih železniških storitev do Catskills ni. Postaji Rhinecliff in Hudson naprej Amtrakova Proga Empire Service vzdolž reke Hudson ustreza rečnim prehodom, najbližjim Catskillsom, in lahko se vzpostavijo avtobusne povezave. Amtrak služi tudi Poughkeepsieju, ki ima največ avtobusnih povezav, čeprav morate na to postajo priti z območja New Yorka, Metro-Sever^{[prej mrtva povezava]} da bi prišel tja.

Z avtobusom

Poti Adirondack ponuja dve poti po regiji od zahodno od Hudsonove proge. Ena sledi poti 28 zahodno do Pine Hilla, gore Belleayre in naprej od Kingstona. Drugi, od Saugerties, sledi cesti 23A in 23 po okrožju Greene, s postanki v Tannersvilleu, Hunterju in Stamfordu. Obe progi sčasoma prispeta do Oneonte, kjer je na voljo tudi storitev prevoza Trailways po koridorju Interstate 88.

Z avtom

New York State Thruway (Interstate 87), ločena cestninska cesta, je glavna pot do regije Catskill za obiskovalce, ki prihajajo z juga in jugovzhoda (tj. Iz New Yorka in njegovega predmestja).

• Regija Catskills izstopa od 16 do 21: Kot vas obveščajo table ob avtocesti, izhodi 16–21, približno 72–185 km od mesta, služijo Catskillom. Cestnina za to razdaljo znaša od 2,50 do 5,20 USD, za uporabnike sistema elektronskega plačevanja EZPass pa so na voljo popusti. Kateri izhod boste želeli izbrati, je odvisno od tega, kam v Catskillsu ste namenjeni.
• Izhod 16 - Harriman - ameriška pot 6 - NY cesta 17 (prihodnost I-86): potniki v Catskills se morajo že pred izstopom iz Harrimana odločiti, ali bodo na tej točki zapustili Thruway ali ne. To je zelo prometno območje, in kot boste videli, je pot NY 17 (I-86) obkrožena z velikimi nakupovalnimi središči od tu do Middletown NY. Ni kraj za sprejemanje odločitev o potovanju. Popotniki v okrožje Sullivan in zahodno okrožje Delaware (Roscoe, Hancock, Deposit) bi morali zapustiti Thruway ob 16. uri.
• Izhod 18 - New Paltz - Poughkeepsie - NY, cesta 299: glej spodaj.
• Izhod 19 - Kingston - Cesta 28 - Rhinecliffov most: Najbolj priročna avtocesta do osrednjega Catskillsa, državna cesta New York 28, se začne pri Kingstonu. Po izstopu iz Thruwaya na izhodu 19 zavijete naravnost v prometni krog in vidite znak dobrodošlice Catskill Park, preden prečkate Thruway. Naj vas avtohiše in restavracije tik nad nadvozom ne razočarajo.

Pred nami je 30 kilometrov (50 km) vožnje po dolini Esopus Creek, ki postaja med potovanjem vedno bolj slikovita in vas mimo rezervoarja Ashokan v New Yorku pripelje do zaselka Phoenicia, največjega naselja na hodniku, lepo obnovljeno pred poplavami, ki so jo pustošile po Ireni. Ko nadaljujete mimo Shandakena in Big Indiana, se cesta vzpenja skoraj 600 metrov v enakomernem razmiku 3 km mimo Pine Hilla do razcepa med razvodjem Hudson in Delaware (tudi črta okrožja Ulster – Delaware ) in vhod v smučarski center Belleayre. Dalje nadaljuje do Margaretvillea, Delhija in mesta Oneonta na avtocesti 88, preden se odpravi proti severu do Cooperstowna in Adirondacksa.

• Izhod 20 - Saugerties - Woodstock - Cesta 32: Od izvoza 20 v Saugerties sledite Državna pot New York 32 nekaj milj severno, nato pa na levi na skrajni strani Državna cesta New York 32A v Palenville, kjer se konča ob Državna pot New York 23A. Takoj po poti proti zahodu se začnete s slikovitim vzponom nageljnove žbice Kaaterskill. Na dnu je Kaaterskill Creek s številnimi slapovi in ​​pečinami, kjer boste ob lepih poletnih vikendih zlahka našli priljubljene plavalne luknje. Na obeh straneh so visoke pečine tega preloma v Catskill Escarpment. Blizu vrha vzpona je kratek pohod do slapov Kaaterskill, priljubljen kljub nevarnemu cestnemu sprehodu po avtocesti, ki je potreben za dosego poti. Ko se izravnate, se odpravite proti slapom Haines, Tannersville in Hunter s spektakularnim območjem Hudičeve poti na jugu.
• Izhod 21 - Catskill - Kairo - NY Cesta 23: Izhod 21 ni le zadnji izhod Catskills, to je izhod Catskill - dobesedno. Escarpment in visoki vrhovi gorovja Blackhead, tretje, četrto in peto najvišje gorovje Catskills, se kažejo ob strani Thruwaya. Tukaj Državna pot New York 23 se počasi vzpenja po severni steni Escarpment-a, mimo Five State Lookout-a (ki svoje obračune opravi dovolj jasnih dni), do Windhama, doma do drugega priljubljenega smučišča z istim imenom. Na zahodu se nadaljuje vzdolž potoka Schoharie do poškodovanega Prattsvillea, nato pa do oddaljenih skupnosti okrožij Delaware, Grand Gorge in Stamford, preden se sreča z Route 28 pred Oneonto.
• Izhod 18 - New Paltz - Poughkeepsie - NY Route 299: Izhod New Paltz je naveden iz številčnega vrstnega reda z razlogom: prihaja previdno. Večini popotnikov na Catskills najbolje svetujemo, naj nadaljujejo proti severu, še en izhod Thruway (19) in za dostop do regije uporabijo cesto 28. Neustrašni popotniki pa bodo morda želeli poskusiti Zadnja pot prek Rezervat Rondout - Claryville - Frost Valley - Slide Mountain - Big Indian. Na Big Indianu se lahko ponovno pridružite poti 28.

To potovanje ima dva odseka:

Najprej je vožnja od poti na izhodu 18 / New Paltz do vasi Napanoch (na ameriški cesti 209, 2 milje severno od Ellenville) skozi Minnewaska State Park.

Druga polovica poti se začne v vasi Napanoch na križišču ameriške ceste 209 in ulice 55 okrožja Ulster. Na koncu bo vodila skozi Claryville, mimo Slide Mountain in naprej do Big Indiana v okrožju Ulster, NY in državni cesti 28.

Ta pot je lahko sama po sebi cilj. Na tej poti je veliko čudovitih pohodniških poti Catskill. Vzhodni konec FLT je v mestu, ki sploh ni vasi, imenovanem Dennning. FLT se začne (konča?) Na Dolgi poti, severno od Claryvillea na cesti 47 okrožja Ulster je Frost Valley in severno od nje Slide Mountain, glavni trofejni vrh Catskills.

Za več podrobnosti o tej poti si oglejte zemljevid - in ga prinesite s seboj. Medtem ko ste v Claryvilleu, se ustavite v restavraciji Country Deli, ki je čista, moderna in ponuja izvrstno hrano. To potovanje pokriva nekaj oddaljenega ozemlja, zato poskrbite, da bo rezervoar za gorivo vsaj 3/4 rezervoarja.

Državna pot New York 17: je avtocesta v procesu pretvorbe v Meddržavna 86.

• Državna pot NY 17 z jugovzhoda: Pot 17 začne pot proti zahodu pri Thruway Exit 16 v Harrimanu. V zgodnjih letih se je imenoval Hitra pot, za hitro potovanje, ki ga je ponudil do številnih letovišč v okrožju Sullivan in ribolovnih krajev Beaver Kill in zgornjega sistema Delaware.
• Državna pot NY 17 s severozahoda: je tudi edina hitra cesta, ki vodi do zahoda Catskills; zelo slikovita pot iz te smeri se začne od avtoceste 81 južno od Binghamton in vas popelje po zgornjih vejah Delawareja in nato Beaver Kill, ki je v sezoni ponavadi dobro ribolov, na poti do okrožja Sullivan.
• Državna pot NY 17 v okrožju Delaware: Približno uro in petnajst minut severno od križišča Thruway / Route 17 v Woodburyju (in nekaj več kot dve uri od Bronxa) je vas Roscoe v New Yorku. Na tej točki in naslednjih približno 35 kilometrov severno od avtoceste ni zagotovljen le južni dostop do Catskillov (kot že od prečkanja grebena Shawangunk), ampak je zdaj resnično znotraj Catskillov, z vso svojo slikovito lepoto. .
• Vas Roscoev okrožju Delaware je dom restavracije Roscoe Diner, ki je samo po sebi znamenitost. Cesta 206 se začne v Roscoeju in se v glavnem pelje proti severozahodu skozi okrožje Delaware in naprej do Greenea v New Yorku ter nato do Whitney Pointa v New Yorku na avtocesti Interstate 81. Cesta 206 je dostopna pot do najtišjih mest (Downsville, Walton, Masonville, Franklin ) najtišjega okrožja (okrožje Delaware), ki ga ponuja Catskills.
• Ob petkih zvečer: Če vas načrti v petek vodijo na Catskills, razmislite, da bi se odpravili bližje večernim uram, saj je veliko tistih, ki se odpravljajo v gore, pravoslavnih Judov, ki mesto zapustijo zgodaj, da pridejo pred sončnim zahodom in obdržijo soboto; po mraku bodo ceste morda nekoliko jasnejše. Na poti 17 je lahko v poletnih mesecih ob petkih in nedeljah gneča, zlasti okoli križišča z NYS Thruway, zaradi bližine prodajnega 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.

Obiti

S kolesom

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.
• Glej To Do section below for more biking information.

Z avtobusom

• Medtem 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 povezava]} mainly connects outlying areas, including some in the mountains, with Catskill, the county seat. Service is limited.

Z avtom

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.

Peš

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.

Po železnici

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.

Glej

• 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.

Ali

Ribolov

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.

Pohodništvo

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 Spletna stran.
• 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).

Smučanje

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.

gorsko kolesarjenje

• 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.

Ne 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.

Jej

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 povezava]}, 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.

Nakup

• 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.
• In 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.

Pijte

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.

Ostani varen

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. Ne 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.

Živali, ki imajo med neobveščenimi nezasluženo strašljiv ugled, so črni medved in kojoti.

• Črni medved, črni medvedi so v nasprotju s svojo velikostjo (le nekoliko večjo - a precej močnejšo - od največjega nogometaša) in videzom "sramežljivi otroci" gozda in se bodo izognili srečanju z ljudmi, če bo le mogoče. Če to zagotovilo ne zadostuje, da se boste počutili udobno, boste med pohodom med seboj opozorili ključavnice ali se preprosto pogovarjali, medvede pa opozorili in jih poslali na pot. Nobena primerjava velikosti, prehrana, divjest, teritorialnost, nič ste že slišali za grizlija ali rjavi medved velja za črnega medveda. Edini nevaren čas je morda, če vstopite med mamico in njenimi mladiči. Vsaka zdrava pamet in zavedanje z vaše strani bo to preprečilo.
• Kojoti (ki so v polni zrelosti približno veliki kot majhen nemški pastirski pas), bodo med zavijanjem, lajanjem ali trkanjem sporočali paket o paketu okoli sončnega zahoda. Bivanje v gozdu v tem času je vznemirljivo doživetje, še posebej, če slišite spremljevalne korake najbližjega čopora. Kar se morda zdi, da je celoten gozd, poln živali, je običajno družina pol ducata kojotov za vsako zavoj, nabori so zelo razpršeni po gozdu in več kojotov v vsakem zaporu je pogosto mladoletnih kojotov. Kojotova prehrana je sestavljena skoraj izključno iz majhnih glodalcev, zagotovo ne iz turistov.
• Gorski levi po uradno objavljenih vodičih Ministrstva za varstvo okolja v pohodništvu in drugi rekreaciji na prostem v državi New York ne obstajajo v Catskillsu. Lahko pa slišite zgodbe, ki se začnejo takole: "sosedov prijatelj pravi, da je enega videl blizu ..."

Zločin v regiji Catskills ima več oblik:

• Ulični zločin je na splošno koncentriran v mestih okrožja Sullivan vzdolž ceste 17, zlasti v Monticellu, ki lahko postane precej grobo, zlasti ponoči. Ponoči popotniki na območje, ki prihaja po cesti 17, bi morali počakati, da pridejo do okrožja Delaware, preden se ustavijo po bencinu in zalogah.
• Nasilni zločin v okrožju Delaware je po podatkih NYS DCJS povprečje pod enim incidentom na leto na kategorijo v zadnjih petih letih, razen za močnejše napade, ki so skoraj izključno spopadi med osebami, ki se med seboj poznajo. V okrožju Ulster bi bili statistični podatki precej podobni, če ne bi bilo mesta Kingston. Tudi v okrožju Ulster vas New Paltz letno predstavlja več incidentov, saj je strankarsko usmerjeno univerzitetno mesto.
• DWI je tragedija, ki se bo zgodila kjer koli se zgodi, toda v Catskillsu je v najboljših pogojih vedno prisotno tveganje, da bi na krivinastem odseku pobegnili s ceste ali če trčili na dvopasovnem pasu cesta. DWI samo še poslabša te situacije. Vedno pazite na svojo hitrost in se zavedajte vedenja prihajajočih voznikov.
• Premoženjski zločin je najbolj razširjena vrsta kaznivih dejanj, predvsem zaradi nenadzorovanih drugih domov.

Potovanje s strelnim orožjem:

Številni obiskovalci iz bolj naseljenih območij so pogosto osupli nad razširjenostjo odprtega strelnega orožja. Obstaja več vrst majhne divjadi, ki jih je DEC označil za „odprto sezono“, zato se zavedajte, da se lahko v katerem koli letnem času odvija nekaj lova. Posamezniki, ki imajo domove ali sezonske koče na oddaljenih območjih, se lahko na lastni zemlji ukvarjajo s ciljno prakso, kdor koli lahko to počne na javnih zemljiščih. Če vas zaslišanje streljanja v bližini pohodniške poti spravlja ob živce, je zelo smiselno, da prosite posameznike, naj prenehajo s streljanjem, dokler ne preidete. Naslednjih informacij ne jemljite kot pravni nasvet, vendar je vredno vedeti pregled zakonov in običajev, ki se nanašajo na to temo:

• Puške in puške: Država New York (razen New Yorka) ima zakone, ki se nanašajo na dolge puške (razen tako imenovanega "napadalnega orožja"), ki so podobne državam, ki podpirajo orožje, kot sta Pennsylvania in Vermont. Športi, povezani s strelnim orožjem, močno spodbujajo gospodarstvo države in se aktivno in uradno spodbujajo. Strelno orožje (dolgo pištolo) naj bo v prtljažniku vozila, strelivo pa v ločenem ohišju med prevozom. Streljanje s cilji je na voljo na številnih majhnih razdaljah po vsej zvezni državi ali v gozdnem območju z varnim zadrževalnikom. Na voljo so dovoljenja za lovljenje tujcev. Med nošenjem dolge puške v bližini obstajajo stroga varnostna pravila, ki se jih poglobljeno učijo na tečajih varnosti lovcev.
• Pištole: Ne prevažajte pištole v državo New York brez dovoljenja za pištolo države New York. Pištole v New Yorku morajo biti registrirane in navedene na dovoljenju posameznika za pištolo. Zato v državi New York ne smejo imeti neregistrirane pištole (tudi imetnik licence) in noben posameznik ne more imeti pištole v državi New York brez licence. Država New York ne prizna nobene licence zunaj države, čeprav je licenca New Yorka priznana v več zveznih državah. Omejitve dovoljenj za pištole za potnike iz donje zvezne države (Long Island in Westchester) ostajajo pri vas na poti.
• Letalski potniki ki živijo v sosednjem Vermontu in uporabljajo mednarodno letališče Albany kot najbližje letališče do doma aretirani s strani urada šerifa okrožja Albany ob prijavi pri letalski družbi, če imajo v prijavljeni prtljagi pištolo (in nima dovoljenja države New York za pištolo).

Kultura

Bližina metropolitanskega območja New Yorka ni zagotovilo, da bodo carine, ki se uvažajo "navzgor", takoj sprejele Catskills. Ravno nasprotno; v Catskillsu živijo na splošno konzervativni, delavni ljudje, ki imajo svojo lastno kulturo. Ravni strpnost za druge kulture in navade, ki jih bo obiskovalec izkusil in užival v tej regiji, pa so lahko veliko višje kot v mnogih predmestjih, ki so veliko bližje mestu. Sprejemanje kulturnih razlik (in podobnosti) je vedno dvosmerno in bolj ko se obiskovalec zaveda in sprejema, bolj bodo tudi njegovi gostitelji.

Religija

Razen okrožja Sullivan, območje Catskills naseljujejo predvsem posamezniki, ki se samoopredelijo kot protestantski krščan. Na tem območju obstaja zelo močna tradicija verske strpnosti, kulturni vpliv katoličanov, Judov, muslimanov (in drugih) pa je veliko večji od njihovega sorazmerno majhnega števila.

Budistične umike je mogoče najti v številnih skupnostih, ponavadi v zelo podeželskih okoljih, prepoznati pa jih je mogoče po številnih barvitih praporih.

Muslimanske enklave posejajo pokrajino v zahodnem okrožju Delaware, ena v centru Sidney pa goji živali, da bi zagotovila svežo hrano za svojo restavracijo v Franklinu.

Vas Fleischmanns na jugovzhodu okrožja Delaware je pretežno pravoslavna judovska.

Okolje

Okolju so Catskills edinstveni, saj oskrbujejo z večino pitne vode za eno največjih mest v zgodovini človeštva. In to počnejo precej tako, da samo pustijo, da dežuje. Vendar je za to obstajala kulturna, politična in gospodarska cena, ker nekatere najbolj priljubljene skupnosti v tem, ki je danes znano kot "razvodje", ne obstajajo več in jih že več generacij ni. Obiskovalec lahko še vedno sreča starodobnike, ki se radi spominjajo svojih domov v davno izginilih vaseh, ki so bili vse, vključno s pokopališči, preseljeni na višje tla za gradnjo rezervoarjev.

Obiskovalci območja lahko tudi slišijo in so povabljeni, da sodelujejo pri argumentih glede predlagane nadgradnje energetske infrastrukture, vključno s hidrofrakcijo, daljnovodi, vetrnicami za proizvodnjo električne energije in plinovodom za zemeljski plin. Lokalni prebivalci so bili glede teh vprašanj močno razdeljeni.

Gospodarstvo

Turizem je prevladujoča gospodarska sila na vzhodu Catskills, medtem ko je mlekarstvo prevladujoča sila na zahodu Catskills. Mlekarstvo oblikuje kulturo; gre za 7-tedensko podjetje in krave hodijo zelo počasi. Kmetijske zgradbe so lahko marsikje v okrožju Delaware le nekaj metrov stran od dvopasovnice, kot na cesti 28 vzhodno od Delhija. To lahko povzroči, da imajo domačini kritičen pogled na vozne navade vseh voznikov, ki gredo mimo, vključno s turisti.

Kmete na počasnih traktorjih je mogoče videti na vseh cestah, razen na razdeljenih avtocestah, njihova polja niso vedno v bližini kmetijskih stavb.

Za nekoga, ki se želi preseliti, so cene stanovanj v zvezni državi na splošno veliko nižje (prav tako davki na nepremičnine) kot v predmestju metropolitanske regije New York (NYC) ali samega New Yorka. Upokojence na tem območju pogosto obtožujejo, da so "preveč plačali" za svojo sanjsko hišo in s tem na splošno zvišali cene nepremičnin.

Regionalni vplivi

Leta 2015 naj bi petnajst mest v okrožjih Sullivan, Delaware, Broome in Tioga iskalo odcepitev od zvezne države New York in se pridružilo državi Pennsylvania, čeprav tega niso storili.

Po vsej zvezni državi New York obstajajo skupnosti, v katerih je mogoče slišati zamero, ki spremlja občutek politične nemoči, na katero se politika Albanyja ne odziva (tukaj izpolnite svojo zamero).

Na obiskovalca to vpliva tako, da ko zapustijo premožno dolino Hudson in se približajo južni ravni in osrednjemu New Yorku, se prebivalci tega območja manj identificirajo kot člani razširjenega metropolitanskega območja in bolj kot "preprosti podeželski ljudje" v kulturi celo morda apalaški.

Lov in strelno orožje

Pozno jeseni Catskills postanejo oranžni, ne iz listov, temveč iz pokrival in telovnikov, ki jih nosijo lovci. To je čas, štirje vikendi, znani kot "sezona pušk", ko tudi tisti, ki ostro nasprotujejo lovu, začasno opustijo boj in gozd predajo moškim in ženskam s pištolami. Všeč ali ne, lov in strelno orožje sta zelo del kulture zvezne države New York.

V vseh letnih časih obstaja tudi močna tradicija strelnega orožja za samoobrambo. Ne trudite se prepirati - tudi če je res - da so ljudje v gozdovih Catskill, če le neprijetno zdrsnejo in padejo na nazobčane skale, varni. To ni bistvo.

Leta 2015 so vsi okrožni šerifi regije Catskills izdali odprta pisma imetnikom dovoljenj za pištole in jih spodbujali, naj pištole nosijo kot odvračilno sredstvo za kriminal in morda terorizem.

Tudi v tem, da se to zgodi na tako oddaljenem območju, ni bistvo. Američani se bodo še vedno odzvali na "poziv k orožju".

Če v Catskillsu vidite civilista, ki spoštuje zakone in nosi pištolo, naj vas to ne moti. Ta oseba samo počne, kar se ji zdi kot Američanu prava stvar. Morda se ne strinjate, tudi to je vaša pravica.

Sezona lova na nelovce

Varnost / tveganje vstopa v gozd med sezono lova tukaj ne bo obravnavana, vendar je obleka telovnika v barvi "modro oranžna" dobra ideja za kdorkoli med sezono lova, vključno s hišnimi ljubljenčki.

Prometne jopiče (za ljudi) lahko pred potovanjem kupite v katerem koli domu ali na Lowesu. Tractor Supply (Oneonta, Delhi, Liberty) prodaja široko paleto modro oranžnih klobukov in telovnikov.

Oblačila, kot so Lands End Pasja jakna v svetlih barvah so idealni za vašega ljubljenčka. Pse imejte vsaj v pasu za svetle pse, na katerem je privezana svetleča pasica.

Zakonodaja zvezne države New York prepoveduje javnosti namerno nadlegovanje ali nadlegovanje (nadlegovanje) lovcev z dovoljenjem, "lovec" je vsak, ki ima strelno orožje ali lok, lovsko dovoljenje in ki očitno ne lovi ali posega. Takrat jim ni treba aktivno sodelovati v lovu, da bi jih ta zakon zaščitil. Pred nadlegovanjem so zaščitene tudi neoborožene osebe, ki spremljajo lovca.

Zabava

Kljub propadu Borschtovega pasu v Catskillsu še vedno obstajajo zabaviščna prizorišča svetovnega razreda, saj obstajajo zabavniki svetovnega razreda. Tematska glasba iz dokumentarca Kena Burnsa Državljanska vojna z naslovom Ashokan Slovo ni bila verodostojna za tisto dobo. Njegovi oboževalci veljajo za enega najbolj ganljivih glasbenih del, kar jih je kdajkoli nastalo, prihaja pa iz New Paltza v osemdesetih letih.

Catskills so sinonim za Woodstock, ne vas in res niti vikend miru in ljubezni. Bolj dejstvo, da so bili Catskills epicenter mladostnega upora - vzhodne Haight Ashbury, če hočete - upora, ki je končal delitveno vojno in pomagal sprejeti zakonodajo o državljanskih pravicah v dobro mnogih.

Ta duh, ne le neverjetna glasba, ki jo človek odmeva po podeželju že skoraj pol stoletja.

Pojdi naprej

Na vzhodu so meje Catskills v bližini Dolina Hudsondo te mere, da je skoraj nemogoče, da ne bi obiskali te regije med obiskom Catskillsa.

The Albany Metropolitansko območje, ki je v državi znano kot okrožje Capital, leži na severu doline, tik do severovzhoda Catskills.

Za njim, na severu, so Adirondacks, večje gorske regije v New Yorku.

Jugovzhodno od doline je Metropolitansko območje New Yorka, dom med tednom in izven sezone številnim obiskovalcem Catskillsa.

Proti jugu je država New Jersey, razdeljen na njegovem severnem koncu med primestjem Prehod območje na vzhodu in gričevnato, gozdnato Skylands na zahodu.

V Pensilvaniji so manjše gore čez reko Delaware Poconos, tudi priljubljeno letovišče za prebivalce metropolitanskega območja New Yorka.

Upstate New York ima več regij na zahodu. Cesta 17 se nadaljuje čez Južni nivo do Binghamton, Elmira, Corning in Jamestown. Na severozahodu križišče Interstate 88 vodi do Osrednji New York.