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 R A. M: B L E B 
 
 FROM THK 
 
 A visitor to tlie Catskh.l Mountain House has 
 hastily drawn up the following as a guide for 
 strangers in their rambles. 
 
 NOKTH MOUNTAIN. 
 
 Take the road from the House leading down the 
 Mountain : at the first turn in the road leading 
 east, immediately on a ledge of rocks fronting east, 
 take the more easterly path. Along this path you 
 will have a more northerly view than can be had 
 at any other part of the mountain. 
 
 After passing some three-quarters of a mile north- 
 ward, an abrupt rock rises directly in front of the 
 path ; take the more northerly path, and from the 
 summit of this rock a fine view can be had of both 
 lakes — Round To^d and High Peak. On the north 
 side of this rock, a fine echo can be had ; four dis- 
 tinct reverberations can be heard. Going still 
 further north, you come to an abrupt precipice, 
 which is ascended by a ladder. At this point a 
 large cavern will be found, known as the Bear's 
 
2 
 
 Den. Old hunters say that it was the winter 
 resting and gathering place for the bears. 
 
 After ascending the ladder, a still more northerly 
 view can be had. 
 
 The Adirandachs, Green Mountains, Greene County 
 and portions of Schoharie and Albany can be seen 
 At this point, the cities of Albany and Troy can l:>e 
 seen with a telescope. The ledges facing the east 
 are abrupt and precipitous. 
 
 HEAD OF the: NORTM IjAKIS. 
 
 At tlie point at which you leave the road down 
 the mountain for the North Mountain, take the 
 westerly path. You will have a delightful ramble, 
 a portion of the way, along the eastern shore of 
 the North Lake. 
 
 SOUTH MOUNTAIN. ^ 
 
 Take the path leading up the South Mountain, 
 directly south of the House. 
 
 About two-thirds of the way up the mountain, 
 Pudding-Stone Hall will be entered. In this 
 vicinity, large masses of pudding-stone will be 
 found. The hall proper is a narrow fissure in the 
 rocks, in which the mass of rock has been separated 
 by the action of frost and water. After ascending 
 from Pudding-Stone Hall, go a short distance east 
 — take a path underneath the ledge westerly. This 
 path passes through a rich collection of lichen, 
 moss, and fern, past the Portico Rocks, and ter- 
 minates at Fairy Spring. A view of this gem of | 
 tho mountains compensates for any fatigue that 
 
s 
 
 may be encountered in the ramble. After visiting 
 the Spring, retrace your steps a short distance and 
 turn to the south through a small fissure in the 
 rock, and ascend to the summit of the South Moun- 
 tain. This pass is known among the mounttiineers 
 as the " Lemon Squeezer," and, among artists, as 
 the " Elfin Pass." After attaining the summit, a 
 large boulder to the south will be seen. This is a . 
 prominent landmark in this part of the mountain. 
 Your course will be directed for this boulder, from 
 whence the best view of the Cauderskill Clo^ e and 
 the surrounding mountains will be had, and a view 
 more southerly than at any other point. The 
 Shawangunh range and the Minmnh Moujitains in 
 Kew Jersey, and the pass of the Hudson in the 
 Highlands, can be seen. The period of the dtiy to 
 visit the North or South Mountain is either about 
 sunrise or in the afternoon. Near this boulder on 
 the South Mountain, along the face of the ledge 
 fronting south, will be found huge masses of rock 
 detached from the face of the ledge by the action 
 of frost and water. 
 
 A little to the east of the boulder will be liound 
 a fissure in the rock, through which is a pass lead- 
 ing southerly to the precipices overhanging the 
 Clove — a very rough path. 
 
 To return, you will go north from the boulder 
 until you make a slight ascent, and then follow the 
 path north near the edge of the ledge until you 
 reach Pudding-Stone Hall. A little to the eouth 
 of the Hause, on the face of the ledge, are natural 
 
steps in the face of the rock, by which, with some 
 care, a descent may be made in front of the House. 
 
 SOUTH liAKS:. 
 
 A beautiful view of the South Lake can be had, 
 by leaving the road leading west from the Moun- 
 tain House about a third of a mile, and turning to 
 the left. 
 
 NORTH liAKlB. 
 
 By taking the road west and leaving it at a short 
 distance before arriving at the junction of the two 
 lakes, turning to the right, the remains of an old 
 road will be found. Follow this road easterly 
 until you make the first descent, and then turn to 
 the north. At this point will be found a large 
 cranberry bed and a very rare plant. The leaf is 
 in the form of a cup, and is always two-thirds filled 
 with watet by capillary attraction. 
 
 To the north of this lake, to those who have a 
 desire to see mountain life, may be found a Bear 
 Trap, in which Mr. Thokp— the " Man of the Moun- 
 tain" — caught three bears in the Fall of 1857, with 
 the singular bait of dry codfish and honey. 
 
 THE CAUIȣ:RSK:iIiIi FAIiliS. 
 
 There are two foot-paths leading to the Falls — 
 one directly in the rear of the Barns — the other 
 turning to the left after passing the Lakes near the 
 corner of the fence — distance about two miles. 
 
 By calling at the office and getting a boat, the 
 
lake can be passed, and a short ramble brings you 
 to tlie Falls. 
 
 A preferable way is to take the omnibus that 
 leaves the House twice a day, and runs over a good 
 mountain road, giving the passenger a pleasant 
 rural ride, unlike any that can ordinarily be had in 
 the country. 
 
 The stream that forms the outlet of the lakes 
 passes over two precipices — the first of a height of 
 one hundred and eighty feet — the second of ninety 
 feet. 
 
 The scenery and views at the Falls are unsur- 
 passed. Underneath the first Fall is a path passing 
 directly in the rear of the Fall around an amphi- 
 theatre. 
 
 At one point the rock projects overhead eighty 
 feet. The amphitheatre is a perfect " whispering 
 gallery." By following the stream, a rough moun- 
 tain path will be foimd, leading to the Cauders- 
 KELL Clove. 
 
 THE CAUDERSKIIili CL.OVE 
 
 Lies south of the Mountain House — is a wild gorge 
 in the mountains, running nearly north and south. 
 A good turnpike road leads through it. Abrupt 
 precipices inclose it on every side — some are over 
 two thousand feet. Over one of them two hounds 
 were in such close pursuit of a deer, that in the 
 eagerness of escape and pursuit • all leaped the 
 precipice and were lost. In this gorge are several 
 falls — the one at the head of the Clove is well worth 
 a visit. Another, called the " Fawn's Leap," will 
 
6 
 
 be found a short distance below tlie Old Tannery. 
 An old legend is, that a doe made the leap of the 
 chasm over the fall, and that her fawn, in attempt- 
 ing to follow, fell into the deep pool made by the 
 fall, and swam round the pool for two days, the 
 doe remaining near and watching it. Below and 
 above the bridge are also beautiful falls. 
 
 MOSES' ROCBL. 
 
 Descending the road leading down the moun- 
 tain aljout three-quarters of a mile, turn to the first 
 path to the right, and follow the old mountain road 
 to the south about the same distance. At this 
 jjoint yap. reach a large mass of rock, some thirty 
 feet in height by eighty feet in length, cover- 
 ed with moss. A short distance from the base 
 H small stream of water issues from a circular fissure 
 in the rock. A more beautiful spot cannot be 
 found in the mountains, nor cooler and better 
 water. 
 
 To a good pedestrian, a beautiful walk will be 
 found from this spofto the foot of the mountain, 
 leading along the old mountain road to the small 
 red house directly below the Mountain House. — 
 From this house take the road leading south until 
 you strike the road leading through the Clove; 
 follow this road until you cross the bridge above 
 the Old Tannery, over the Cauderskill; turn to 
 the right and follow the path along the South Lake 
 to the House. 
 
 On the ledge above Moses' Rock, a large tree will 
 be found, marked. From this a new path has been 
 
cut, leading to the precipice overhanging the Clove. 
 From this point a better appreciation of height can 
 be had than at any other point on the mountains. 
 
 BEAR'S GAP, OR STONKY CLOVE. 
 
 This is some nine miles west of the Mountain 
 House, and is one of the wildest spots in the Cats- 
 kills. The gorge is a narrow one — the precipices 
 over two thousand feet. Ice can be found in it in 
 July and August ; small brook trout are found in 
 the stream passing through it, and with a Minie 
 rifle a shot can be had at an eagle. 
 HIGH POAK. 
 
 Take the road leading west some five miles, then 
 turn into a road leading south to the south side of 
 the mountain. From this point procure a guide, 
 and from High Peak one of the most extensive 
 views can be had that will be found in the whole 
 range of mountains. This is the mountain upon 
 which, (agreeably to the Indian tradition,) the 
 " Great Spirit" placed an old squaw and gave her 
 the control of night and day. She had a box, 
 which when she opened it was day, and when she 
 closed it was night. She took down the moon at 
 certain seasons, and cut it up and placed the pieces 
 in the heavens as stars. 
 
 High Peak is the barometer for the farmers in 
 the valley of the Hudson. It is a common saying 
 with them, that " When the Old Man of the Moun- 
 tains puts on his cap, look out for a storm." Keai 
 the base of the High Peak, in the early settlement 
 
8 
 
 of tlic country, there was a place of refuge for the 
 Tories after the burning of Kingston, during the 
 Revolutionary war. They are said J;o have been 
 guided to the place by an old Indian called Yonton, 
 a compeer of Leather Stocking. 
 
 On the retuiTi from the High Peak or Stoney 
 Clove, by going to Parker's — about a mile north 
 of Gray's — a view of the range of mountains, run- 
 ning eaat and west, can be had, which will well 
 r^ay any one for the small sacrifice of time. 
 
 PliATTEItlliL, CiiOVE. 
 
 This gorge in the mountains lies about six -miles 
 south of the Cauderskill Clove, and can be reached 
 by either descending the mountain road and pass- 
 ing in front of the house, or by taking the road to 
 the High Peak. 
 
 This Clove is well worthy of a visit from any one 
 who has a taste for wild mountain passes. It is 
 unlike the Cauderskill Clove, and in many respects 
 surf)asses it in wildness and grandeur. There are 
 several falls in the stream passing through it. This 
 is one of the passes through which the French and 
 Indians are said to have found their way in their 
 attacks upon the early settlers of the valley of the 
 Hudson. 
 
 CATSKILIm 
 J. JOESBUKY BOOK & JOB PRINTER. 
 
 iae3. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 
 
 014 107 702 8 ^