Possible new Catskill rail trail

[Mark Schaefer]

Here is a link to an article on a possible new hike/bike rail trail from Kingston to Highmount. I will try to keep my enthusiasm in check, but this really made my day.

The trail would be readily accessible from the Trailways bus station in Kingston and from a commuter parking lot near the Kingston exit on the NYS Thruway. It would link up to a number of hiking trails on Belleayre, Panther, and in the Woodland Valley (the planned Long Path reroute over Romer Mountain). It would also have access to kayak and tubing areas on the Esopus Creek. Several long sections of the railroad run along the shore of the Ashokan Reservoir, the new scenic vistas that this open up will be numerous. A portion of the railroad runs through state land that is part of the Bluestone Wild Forest, so a trail link to Onteora Lake trail system should be possible. Some highlights from the article on an upcoming workshop:

A public workshop is scheduled for Feb. 9 on the feasibility of a trail from Kingston Point Park to the Belleayre Mountain Ski Center on the Delaware County line.

The workshop, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Olive Town Meeting Hall on Bostock Road in Shokan, will explore issues associated with the creation of a pedestrian and bicycle trail, said Bill Tobin, the principal transportation planner with the Ulster County Planning Department.

 

[mudhook51]

It would be nice to connect the dots; Kingston to Highmount, Highmount to Roxbury, Roxbury to Bloomville, Bloomville to Oneonta. Roxbury to Bloomville is now a biking, hiking, snowmoble trail of sorts.

 

[Jay H]

Well, in real long term planning, if NY would finish the D&H towpath from Pennsylvania (near Port Jervis) to Kingston. The canal ran from Honesdale, PA to Kingston, NY which is a pretty good distance, something like 108 miles or so. Parts of it is finished and parts are not, which means some road sections....

Jay

 

[MattC]

Maybe some day, we'll all be riding bikes up to Woodland Valley w/ packs on. As it stands now, I could get from New Paltz to Kingston using two rail trails and a few miles of roads between Rosendale and High Falls.

Anyhow, if this happens, it would open up all kinds of possibilities. I think it would be a wonderful resource for Catskill locals, Kingston residents and also people getting off the Trailways bus. Much debate/discussion will now take place of course, as is already happening on the Freeman comment board.

As for DEPs concern that trail-users might be tempted to swim in the Reservoir- Perhaps not totally unfounded. However, if it was clearly signed (which it would be) that this would be illegal, I think it would minimize the risk. Other than signs and a pathetic little fence, what's stopping anyone from taking a dip in the Reservoir now?

Matt

 

[hermit]

Lets keep our fingers crossed and hope it opens.If it opens we can plan a bike trip from Kingston to Bloomville, but we may need headlamps for the ride back.

 

[Jay H]

Old thread resurrection alert!

Closer to reality, at least the Bloomville to Kingston trip as the CST has extended down the east branch. I saw on my return the place is crosses Rt 23 and heads up a woody road towards Rt 30. Looks like it actually gains a little elevation to do so...

Jay

 

[Tom Rankin]

Old thread resurrection alert!

Closer to reality, at least the Bloomville to Kingston trip as the CST has extended down the east branch. I saw on my return the place is crosses Rt 23 and heads up a woody road towards Rt 30. Looks like it actually gains a little elevation to do so...

Jay

You can already walk/bike from Bloomville to almost Stamford, you could years ago in fact. Are you saying it's longer than that now?

 

[Jay H]

Well yeah, in 2004, before I did the Brain Tumor Society's Devil's Path dayhike, I did the trail (the CST) from Grand Gorge off Bruce porn road (or actually Turk Hill road) all the way to Bloomville. But, within the last few years, there has been talk on and off connecting that to the already established multiuse trail that runs between the East Branch of the delaware and CHH peaks like Irish, Shultis, White Man, etc. and Rt 30. In fact, Google Maps shows the new connector although strangely, it doesn't show it connecting to the East Branch path for some reason. It just kind of ends.

Even the latest and greatest CST trailmap shows the connection of "future expansion" though I think Mudhook tells me, it's already fairly established though no idea how well "used". There is a sign on Rt 23 that indicates and warns motorists of the trail crossing which I don't think existed in 2004. My guess is the map just hasn't been updated, the two paths do appear to be connected now.

You can definitely walk east of Stamford as the path crosses Main street (aka Rt 23) and heads east on the north side of Rt 23...

Jay