Hike with us under the light of the full moon!
This guided hike will offer stunning views of the Catskills under the moonlight and a unique opportunity to learn about the natural and cultural history of the area.
This event is FREE with a suggested donation of $10.00. Registration is required.
Hike Starting Time and Location:
The meeting time for the hike will be 6:30 PM and we will start the hike at 7:00 PM, or earlier once everyone is present. The hike will begin from the Overlook Mountain Parking Area, located at 353 Meads Mountain Road, Woodstock NY. It’s right across the road from the KTD Buddhist Monastery. There is an overflow lot further down along Macdaniel Rd which is the same road just by a different name after you pass by the Monastery. You can either walk the road back to the Overlook Mountain Parking Area or take one of the trails up from the overflow lot.
Hike Itinerary:
Overlook Mountains Trail follows an old road that used to lead to a Hotel near the top of Overlook Mountain. The first 2 miles of trail will be along this old service road with some spots to rest along the way. It is uphill for the majority of the hike so make sure you have some snacks and water to help you along the way. Once we reach the ruins of the old hotel, we will take a moment to check them out and take a nice breather.
The final half-mile push will be along a footpath leading up to the fire tower and viewpoint. There will be signs mentioning the Timber Rattlesnakes in the area, but they will not be in the trail since the sun will be getting ready to set by that time. We will be able to walk up the fire tower and get beautiful views of the nearby Devil’s Path, Kaaterksill High Peak, and the Hudson River Valley. We will then make our way over to the viewpoint which offers the best views as the moon rises above the Hudson River Valley.
The hike back down will be without any planned stops. If anyone needs a moment to rest, we can take time as needed, but the trip down will be just to get back down to the parking lot.
Items to Bring:
Water (1-2 Liters as needed, there are no reliable sources to draw from on this hike)
Snacks
Headlamp (cell phone lights will not suffice)*
Trekking Poles (If needed)
Hiking Boots or Shoes (trail runners are acceptable, just make sure your footwear can handle a rocky trail as it is not a smooth walk)
*If you do not have a headlamp you will not be allowed to take part in this hike.