DELAWARE RIVER REGION TRAIL

Upper Delaware Take a Hike! Trail

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.63574 W75.06233

Getting There: Cross the Delaware River from New York into Pennsylvania on the bridge at Cochecton. Almost immediately turn left on River Road. Follow River Road south along the river for a total of 6 miles. At 2.7 miles be sure to bear to the left to stay on River Road. Turn right on Macubbins Road and drive .7 miles to the parking area on the right.

Difficulty: This hike is rated EASY since it is only 1.1 miles long. The trail is reasonably well-worn but not always well-maintained. It is marked with yellow paint blazes.The total elevation gain is only 130 feet.

Trail Surface: The trail surface may have a few large stones and some tree branches on the trail. Most of the trail is grass or dirt with a generous helping of soft pine needles.

Hike Description: Walk through the opening in the rail fence next to the information kiosk. There aren’t any visible markers but hug the edge of the field staying near the woods and you will pick up yellow paint blazes. The trail heads north through an evergreen forest gaining a little elevation. There can be a lot of debris and some blowdowns on the trail. You will quickly reach a power line right-of-way. The trail turns off the right-of-way and heads north through some more evergreen forest. Look to the left down the hill and you will see a trail which is for the return trip. At about half a mile into the hike there is a stone wall where the trail turns left and descends to the lower trail. The trail now runs along a wetland and heads southwest through some mixed softwood and hard wood forest until at .75 miles it turns south. The trail now follows a woods road which is open and easy to follow. Soon you will see the parking area up a hill on the left. There aren’t many blazes to guide you so walk out to the road, turn left and then almost immediately left again into the parking area.

The 27,800-acre Delaware Wild Forest is located in the western Catskill Forest Preserve. The area has several disconnected parcels and is located mostly in Delaware County.  The popular Finger Lakes Trail travels through this wild forest, which features more than 35 miles of hiking trails and more than 20 miles of snowmobile trails. These trails are not as used as much as other trails in the Catskills and you may find yourself alone most of the time you are hiking. There are four lean-to shelters located in the wild forest for those looking for a backpacking camping experience.

The activities in this area include hiking, camping, fishing, boating, wildlife observation, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, hunting and trapping and paddling.

The most popular destinations in the Delaware Wild Forest include Big Pond, Beaverkill Vista on Cabot Mountain, Trout Pond, Russell Brook Falls, Split Rock Lookout and Huggins Lake.

Source: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/9146.html

(See each specfic hike for the directions to the trailhead.)

 
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.8859 W74.5330

Getting There: Drive to the Sullivan County hamlet of Grahamsville and turn north from Route 55 on Moore Hill Road near the TriValley Central School. Drive 3.2 miles passing Denman Mountain Road on the left. Park in the parking area at the corner of Moore Hill Road and Glade Hill Road.

Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENUOUS because it is over 6 miles long. The trail is very rough in spots and can be wet and muddy. There are several small ascents. There may be wet or muddy areas on the trail. The snowmobile trail markers can sometimes be hard to follow.

Trail Surface: The trail is primarily a snowmobile trail and consists of stones and dirt with a grassy areas and quite a few tree roots. The trail is often wet and muddy in many areas. The return trip is on Moore Hill Road which is mostly packed dirt and gravel.

Hike Description: To start the hike walk across the road and onto the snowmobile trail which begins a slight ascent up a shoulder of Denman Mountain but soon levels of. Watch for the larger red snowmobile trail markers as you hike. The trail descends to a trail junction at about .5 miles. A left turn at this junction leads back out to Moore Hill Road and the road that cuts over to Denman Mountain Road. Turn right to stay on the trail around the mountain. At .85 miles there will be a path or woods road on the left that leads down to some interesting stone foundations. The road is lined with stone walls on either side. The snowmobile trail continues to descend for the next mile but is always lower than the mountain on the right. Since the trail is lower, the water draining from the higher terrain makes the trail very wet in places depending on the season. At about 1.95 miles there is the ruins of a house or cabin on the right side of the trail. You have been heading mostly north but the road for your return is to the east. At 2.15 miles there is another trail junction. Turn right and then bear to the left. For the next 1.2 miles the trail wanders back and forth and up and down but always around the mountain. Finally, at about 3.3 miles the trail turns in an easterly direction and heads directly for the road. For the next 1.5 miles the trail undulates up and down but always heads east. At 4.8 miles, the trail intersects the road. Turn right to head south and back to the parking area. There are some interesting cliffs and one large boulder right next to the road. The road continues heading south and mostly descends with a few ups and downs until you are back at the parking area.

 
Out and back from Parking Area – 2.1 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.8756 W75.1800

Getting There: Drive to the Sullivan County hamlet of Long Eddy located north of Callicoon, NY on Route 97. From Long Eddy drive north on Route 97 for 9.6 miles to Lordville Road on the left. Turn left on Lordville Road and drive down the road toward the Delaware River. Just before crossing the river turn left onto Bouchouxville Road and drive for 2.7 miles to the parking area. CAUTION: The Bouchouxville Road is very scenic but is NOT in good shape. It may be best to make sure you have a vehicle will all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE even though it is just over two miles because there is significant elevation gain as you climb to the Ledges. For a large part of the hike the trail is sited on old woods roads so it is wide and easy to walk.

Trail Surface: The surface of the trail is generally smooth varying from grass to dirt. There are a few roots and rocks especially near the top.

Hike Description: From the parking area get on the woods road that heads east and up the ridge. As you climb, keep looking to your right for some views down to the river. After walking only .9 miles, you will cross a small stream that cascades down the ledges and empties into the river. If there is enough water volume, it is worth working your way down the side of the falls to get some pictures. Back on the main trail, cross the brook and walk a few hundred feet before turning right and walking out to the first viewpoint. At this viewpoint, you will have beautiful views down to the river and beyond. This area has a HUGE rock cairn that sits atop a “pile” of laid up stone! There may also be some stone “furniture” just behind the viewpoint is the remains of a stone quarry. Walk a little further east and there is another viewpoint. Retrace your steps back down to the car. CAUTION: Jensen Ledges is known to have active timber rattlesnake dens. Be on the lookout for these reclusive creatures as you hike. Do NOT reach into any rock crevices. Be aware that these snakes often lie in the sun to increase their body temperature.