Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

On Saturday, January 29, 2011, we headed over to Colgate Lake. We parked in the second parking lot. Our plan was to follow the DEC trail from Colgate Lake to Dutchers Notch. We didn't think that we would make it to Dutchers notch, so we made a tentative plan to hike to the Apple Orchard and waterfalls. We made it to the second large marsh, and we were about 1/3-1/2 mile from the apple orchard. But, we decided to turn around. We thought about exploring the many side trails, but decided against it.

When we started in the morning it was one of those bluebird days with a beautiful cobalt blue sky. After an hour, the clouds moved in. Our hike last week was spectacular, so we tried to keep our expectations reduced.

Along the way, we ran into two groups of cross-country skiers. Overall, we had a nice easy walk in the woods. For those who have never hiked this trail, it is mainly flat. In fact, this is the flattest hike in the Catsills. It is a great cross-country ski trail. 4.5 miles on-way or 9 miles round trip.

Here are some pictures:

Actually before Colgate Lake - picture of the Blackhead Mtn Range


At the beginning of the hike - Blackhead Mtn in the background


Entering the woods by Colgate Lake


Beautiful hike through the woods


Crossing one of the many bridges on the way to Dutchers Notch


Hiking up one of the many roads from Capra Lake (private)


Snow covered trees


Large Marsh - West Stoppel Mtn to the right of photo


Large Marsh - West Stoppel Mtn to the right of photo


Large Marsh - Stoppel Mtn to the right of photo


Snow covered Balsam trees by large Marsh


Smaller March - actually first marsh off of the trail


Large tree over the trail - On the way back


Snow covered tree


Panoramic picture of Stoppel - West Stoppel - Onteora Mtn/i]


Map of hike

Nice hike. Does look like a nice cross-country ski trail.

Mike, thanks as always for sharing. The photos are beautiful and the hike looks like a thoroughly relaxing walk through the woods. What a great place to give your snowshoes a workout! I was very impressed with Colgate Lake the day you and Alexis took me there and I will have to add this hike to my "to do" list.

Rich

Thanks guys for your nice comments.

Greg, you can get the mileage and map and info for this hiker here: http://www.catskillmountaineer.com/WB-colgate.html . In the Spring it is quite the mud hole. In the dryness of the summer and fall, it is just hard dirt, except for one small section. But, I have gotten around it with trail runners.

Rich: Yes, there is a lot of exploring that can be done. Real nice hike in the woods. Pretty much flat. Some great side trips. You can also climb West Stoppel from Colgate Lake. I skied and snowshoe'd West Stoppel about 10 years ago. Another nice winter/summer hike, is to start in Batavia PA and hike Blackhead down to Dutchers Notch and down to Maple Lawn. When you get some free time, we can do some hikes/pictures. Also Dr K will be joining us for Buttermilk in the Spring. We need to scout it out first.

The land around Capra Lake is private property. You cannot hike on their land. That is why the trail is shaped the way it is. You can make it shorter if you cross Colgate Lake and take the old road to the large marsh. This way is shorter, and is just barely on State land. This old road used to run from the old stone church near Onteora Park and ran to Dutchers Notch and then on to Cairo.

This valley and including Blackhead Mtn was owned by the Colgate Family. The Colgate family tried to buy a house in Onteora Park, but they refused to allow him to be a member. So, he bought all this land. He never visited the land. He later donated the Capra Lake for a troubled boys camp, and later sold some of the land to the state.

This trail is real nice for cross-country skiing.