creek (profile seen by looking back from the bridge). 1/4 M. Fawn's Leap; 1/4 M. Buttermilk Falls; 1/4 M. Bridge over Lake Creek. Here we may either turn to the right and follow the lateral ravine to (1 M.) the Kaaterskill Falls or take the path up the Clove proper to (11/4 M.) Haines's Falls (p. 164). The road ascends to (114 M.) the Haines House (p. 164).

The Catskill Mountain House (2225 ft.; $ 2-4 per day, $ 14-25 per week, acc. to room and season; 400 beds) is magnificently situated on the ridge of South or Pine Orchard Mountain (2500 ft.). The **View from the rocky ledges in front of the hotel is of a unique beauty and interest.

The E. escarpment of the mountain rises so abruptly from the plain that the effect is almost as if we were leaning out of the car of a balloon or over the battlements of a castle 2000 ft. high. The plain between the mountains and the Hudson, 10 M. off, is spread out at our feet like a low-relief map, with checkerboard squares of fields, patches of woodland, villages, and farm-houses. Catskill is distinctly seen due E., and Athens (p. 149) and Hudson (p. 151) may be made out a little more to the N. The moving trains on the banks of the Hudson are curiously distinct and minute. The E. background is formed by the blue Berkshire Hills (p. 136), over which the shadowy White Mts. (p. 121) are sometimes visible.

Walks. By following the road leading towards North Mt. and North Lake and taking the first path to the right, we soon reach (10 min.) the Artist's Rock, on the E. ledge of N. Mt. (view), beyond which the path ascends some steps and reaches (3 min.) Prospect Rock, which commands a very extensive *View. The ledge-path next leads to (5 min.) Sunset Rock, beyond which it bends to the left to (7 min.) Jacob's Ladder and the Bear's Den (*View). The ledge-path ends at Newman's Ledge (view of Sleepy Hollow, p. 160), 10-12 min. beyond the Bear's Den. The path to the left at the fork, 5 min. beyond the Bear's Den, ascends towards the crest of North Mountain (3450 ft.), a walk round which takes in all 4-5 hrs. The path crosses the 'Burnt District' to (20 min. from Bear's Den) the cavity called the Cellar. Here we bend towards the left and walk round the crest to (1/2 hr.) the so-called *First Outlook, at the top of the mountain, and (10 min.) the Second Outlook. The trail descending from this point through the trees is sometimes a little difficult to follow; but there is little danger of being lost if the general direction of the hotel be taken at the Outlook and followed by compass. An additional help in case of doubt is the water-pipe leading to the hotel (11/2-2 hrs.). It is advisable not to try this walk alone. By following the path to the left at the entrance to the North Mt. walk, passing the E. end of North Lake, and ascending along the stream, we reach (1/2 hr.) Mary's Glen, with small waterfalls. We may return by crossing the stream above the falls and following a path leading S.W. to (1/4 hr.) the main road, which we reach at the Charcoal Pit, 1/3 M. from the hotel.

.

The Catskill Mt. House is about 1 M. to the N.E. of the Kaaterskill Hotel (p. 162), and the excursions made from the latter (see p. 162) can all be made from the former also.

The ROAD FROM PALENVILLE TO THE HOTEL KAATERSKILL (3 M.; see above; coach-fare $ 11/2, trunk 50 c.) runs from the station to the W. through the village, then turns to the right and ascends along the N. side of the Kaaterskill Clove (p. 160). In 11/2 M. we cross the so-called Gulf, with the Point of Rocks and Indian Head high above us to the right, and about 1/2 M. farther on we bend back on our course and proceed for some distance to the E., climbing towards (1/2 M.) the head of the Gulf, several hundred feet above the point where we crossed it below. To the left diverges the Ledge Drive (p. 162). In 1/2 M. more we reach the

BAEDEKER'S United States.

11

*Hotel Kaaterskill (2495 ft.; $ 4-5 per day, $21-25 per week; 1500 beds, including dépendances), the most fashionable resort in the Catskills, situated on one of the highest points of South Mt. (see p. 161) and commanding a view little, if at all, inferior to that from the Mountain House (see p. 161). Immediately to the S. W. rise High Peak (3665 ft.) and Round Top (3500 ft.), thickly clad with timber from top to bottom, and due W. is Hunter Mt. (4050 ft.). Kaaterskill Station (p. 164) lies about 3/4 M. to the W., at the end of South Lake (p. 164).

Walks. Most of the paths, roads, and points of interest are clearly indicated by sign-posts and arrows painted on the rocks.

1. To the Catskill Mt. House, 1-1/4 M. Different paths, indicated by sign-posts, begin in front (E.) and to the N. of the hotel, and lead via the Fairy Spring, the Mossy Path, the Druid Rocks, the Lemon Squeezer, and the Ledge Path. The last skirts the E. edge of the mountain, affording fine views of the Hudson Valley, the best from the so-called (1/2 M.) Grand View. A short digression may be made to the left to the top of South Mountain (2500 ft.; *View). - A pleasant round may be made by going viâ the Ledge Path and returning viâ the Druid Rocks, making a complete circuit of South Mt.

2. Palenville Overlook, 13/4 M. The path leads to the E. from the hotel. The *Overlook (1660 ft.) commands a fine view of Kaaterskill Clove (p. 160).

3. Inspiration Point and Sunset Rock, 1 M. A path beginning at the hotel-stables (to the S. of the hotel) leads through low wood, crossing a road, to (1/3 M.) a point on the Ledge Drive, where stands a sign-post indicating the path to (1/4 M.) Inspiration Point (*View), overlooking Kaaterskill Clove. Thence we follow the path along the brink of the Clove to (14 M.) Sunset Rock (2120 ft.), which commands a magnificent view of the Clove and of the tree-clad mass of High Peak (see above). We may continue this walk to Kaaterskill Falls (see below), either by the paths on the level of the rock or by descending the ladder-steps to the bottom of the Clove. The easiest route to follow is the path to the extreme right (To Hotel Kaaterskill'), which ascends to (5 min.) the Ledge Drive. We follow this road to the left, and in about 1 M., turning twice to the left, reach the Laurel House and the Falls (see below).

4. Laurel House and Kaaterskill Falls, 1 M. We may either follow the road leading to the S.W. from the front of the Hotel and joining (3/4 M.) the Ledge Drive (see above), or we take a path leading W. from the Annex to (4 min.) an old 'logging road', which leads to the left and joins the Ledge Drive near the Laurel House. The Laurel House ($21/2-4 per day, $15-25 per week) is situated at the head of the Kaaterskill Falls, 300 yds. from the railway-station mentioned at p. 164. The Kaaterskill Falls, in an imposing rocky amphitheatre, reached by a flight of steps behind the hotel (adm. 25 c.), are 260 ft. in height, in two leaps of 180 ft. and 80 ft. In dry weather the water is dammed up at the head of the falls and turned on for visitors like the Lichtenhain Waterfall in the Saxon Switzerland. A little lower down are the Bastion Falls (40 ft.). - A good view of the Falls is obtained from Prospect Rock, on the S. side of the Clove, reached by a path (1/2 M.) from the Laurel House.

5. To Haines's Falls, 21/2-31/2 M. The most direct route is by a forestpath from Prospect Rock (see above), which comes out on (1 M.) Featherbed Lane (see below), about 1/2 M. from the Falls. This route is a little difficult to find unaided, but the following is quite distinct. To the Laurel House, as above, 1 M. Hence we follow the road to the W., crossing the railway. On reaching the (1/2 M.) main road we follow it to the left for 11/4 M. We then descend to the left by Featherbed Lane to the (2 M.) bottom of the Clove, turn to the right, and reach the (1/4M.) Haines's Falls House (p. 164), where a placard indicates the way to the Falls (p. 164).

Other short walks may be made to (1/2 M.) the Boulder and to the points mentioned in connection with the Mountain House at p. 161.

The ascent of North Mt. (p. 161) takes about 1 hr. That of High Peak (3665 ft.) takes 11/2-21/2 hrs. from the Haines's Falls House (see p. 162) and is rather toilsome, but the view is very fine.

Longer EXCURSIONS, by railway or carriage, may be made to Tannersville and Onteora Park (p. 161; 5-8 M.), Stony Clove (see below), Catskill (p. 160), Sleepy Hollow (p. 160), Overlook Mt. (see below), Plattekill Clove (p. 164), etc.

b. From Kingston (Rondout) to the Hotel Kaaterskill.

49 M. RAILWAY in 21/2-3 hrs. (fare $2.71).

We at first follow the ULSTER And Delaware RAILROAD, which traverses the S. and W. sides of the Catskill Mts. The train starts at Rondout (p. 153) and then stops at (2 M.) the Union Station in Kingston (p. 153). The line ascends gradually through the beautiful valley of the Esopus. 8 M. Stony Hollow (410 ft.). 9 M. West Hurley (530 ft.) is the starting-point of the road (coach $ 1.50) to (9 M.) the top of Overlook Mt. (3150 ft.), near which stands the Overlook Mt. House ($3; 2980 ft.; 300 beds), a favourite resort, the *View from which, embracing the Hudson, the Highlands (p. 148), and the Catskills, is considered by some authorities the finest in the district. Mead's Hotel ($2), about halfway up the mountain (7 M. from the railway), is well spoken of. Near (18 M.) Shokan (535 ft.) High Point Mt. (3100 ft.) is conspicuous to the left. The train now turns to the N., disclosing, to the left, a fine semicircle of mountains, sending off radiating spurs to a common centre (the two most to the right are Mt. Cornell, 3680 ft., and Mt. Wittenberg, 3775 ft.). Near (21 M.) Boiceville we twice cross the Esopus. Beyond (24 M.) Mt. Pleasant (700 ft.) the valley contracts; to the left rises Panther Mt. (3825 ft.). Indian Head (3580 ft.) and other high mountains are seen to the right.

27 M. Phoenicia (800 ft.; Tremper House, $31/2-4; Broas House, unpretending, $2), the junction of the Stony Clove Railroad (see below), is pleasantly situated and a good centre for excursions (to the top of Mt. Wittenberg, Stony Clove, Woodland Valley, Big Indian Valley, etc.). We now leave the Ulster and Delaware line and ascend by a narrow-gauge railway (views to the left) through "*Stony Clove, a beautiful wooded ravine between Mt. Sheridan (2490 ft.) and Hunter Mt. (4040 ft.) on the left and Mt. Tremper (3840 ft.) and Stony Mt. (3850 ft.) on the right. 29 M. Chichester, with a chair-factory; 32 M. Lanesville, with a fine view (left) of the Diamond Notch, Hunter Mt., and Big West Kill Mt. (3900 ft.; to the W.). To the left are deep ravines between the spurs of Hunter Mt. At (37 M.) Stony Clove we reach the top of the pass (2070 ft.) and begin to descend. 39 M. Kaaterskill Junction (1700 ft.), whence the Kaaterskill Railroad diverges to the right (through-cars).

The Stony Clove R. R. goes on to (41 M.) Hunter (1645 ft.; St. Charles, $21/2-4; Prospect Ho., $21/2), close to the base of the Colonel's Chair (3040 ft.) and 2 M. to the N. of Hunter Mt. (see above), both of which summits may be ascended hence. Fine drives may be taken to the Overlook Mt. Ho. (14 M.) and the Hotel Kaaterskill (11 M.); and nearer points of interest are Mossy Brook (1 M.), Onteora Park (p. 164), and Stony Clove.

42 M.

The KAATERSKILL RAILROAD ascends towards the E. Tannersville (1860 ft.; Roggen's Mountain Hotel, $2-21/2, open all the year; Blythewood, Fabian Ho., Campbell Ho., $21/2) occupies one of the most conveniently central situations in the Catskills.

Clum Hill (2370 ft.), 3/4 M. to the S., easily ascended in 1/2 hr., affords a good view, including the Kaaterskill Falls (p. 162). About 2 M. to the N. is Onteora Park, a cottage colony belonging to a club which includes several well-known writers (Mrs. Mary Mapes Dodge, etc.). The enclosure is private, but visitors will generally be allowed, on application at the gate, to ascend to (20 min.) the top of Onteora or Parker Mt. (2735 ft.), the *View from which includes High Peak, Round Top, the Kaaterskill Hotel, Twin Mt., Sugar Loaf, Plateau Mt., Hunter Mt., Round Hill, Thomas Cole Mt., Black Dome, and Black Head. Parker Mt. is separated by the Parker Notch from Star Rock (2545 ft. to the W.), another good point of view. The Black Dome (4000 ft.), about 3 M. to the N.W. of Parker Mt., affords a fine panorama of the valley in which Tannersville lies and the mountains enclosing it. Slide Mt. (4205 ft.; p. 165), the highest of the Catskills, is seen to the right, over the shoulder of Hunter Mt. To the S. of Clum Hill (see above) extends the fine Plattekill Clove (road), between Round Top and High Peak (p. 163) to the left and Sugar Loaf or Mink Mt. (3805 ft.), Twin Mt. (3650 ft.), and Indian Head (3580 ft.) to the right. About 6 M. from Tannersville are the Plattekill Falls (60 ft.), near which is the Plattekill Mt. House. A new road (*Views) ascends to the right to (6 M.) the Overlook Mt. House (p. 163). About 3 M. to the S. of Tannersville, on the slope of Sugar Loaf Mt., is Elka Park, the property of the Lieder-Kranz ('L. K.') of New York, with a nice club-house. Among other points within easy reach of Tannersville are Haines's Falls (see below), Kaaterskill Falls, Clove, and Hotel (pp. 160, 162), and Stony Clove (p. 163).

Beyond Tannersville the train soon reaches (44 M.) Haines's Corner (1920 ft.; Haines's Falls House, Hilton Ho., Holbert Ho., $2), the nearest station to (1/2 M.) Haines's Falls (see below).

*Haines's Falls, at the head of Kaaterskill Clove (p. 160), consist of two main leaps, 150-160 ft. and 80 ft. high, with other plunges lower down, making in all a descent of 475 ft. in 1/4 M. The water is dammed up in dry weather and the sluices opened for visitors (fee 25 c.). The environment of the falls is very picturesque. The bridge above the falls leads to Twilight or Haines's Falls Park, another cottage-colony like Onteora Park (see above). From Haines's Falls to the Kaaterskill Falls and

Hotel, see p. 162.

The train now traverses wood to (46 M.) Laurel House Station (2065 ft.), 300 yds. from the Laurel House and the Kaaterskill Falls (see p. 162). The falls are seen to the right just before we reach the station. The railway ends at (47 M.) Kaaterskill Station (2145 ft.), situated at the W. end of South Lake, a pretty little sheet of water. The road to the (3/4 M.) Hotel Kaaterskill crosses the bridge to the S. and leads through wood. The road to (1 M.) the Catskill Mt. House (p. 161) skirts the N. side of the lake and then turns to the right and passes up between South Lake and the still smaller North Lake.

c. From Rondout (Kingston) to Bloomville.

87 M. ULSTER AND DELAWARE RAILROAD in 31/2-4 hrs. (fare $2.61). This line skirts the S. and E. sides of the Catskills, and gives access to many interesting points. Through-cars from New York, comp. p. 159.

From Rondout (Kingston) to (27 M.) Phoenicia, see p. 163. To