The 2009 Kaaterskill Falls campout was great this year. The weather was perfect with November 7 weekend with sun and mid 50's on Saturday with low's in the high 20's at night. On Saturday, we drove straight to South Mountain and hiked approximately 5 miles around the "Rim Trail" to the site of the "Mountain House" that we visited to last year.
We had lunch on the hike and all along the way were very dramatic views from the trail which at many times followed along the edge of an extremely high cliff! Even at the end of the hike, we enjoyed wonderful views of the Hudson Valley all the way to the Berkshires in Massachusetts. After the hike, we went straight to our campsite near Colgate Lake, set up camp, made dinner, and had our usual fun campfire.
In the morning, we broke camp and drove to Kaaterskill Falls and made the .5 mile hike up to see them and were just as spellbound by their beauty as last year. And were then on our way home after a very fun and exciting campout.
Troop 1 Katonah at the trailhead.
"Check your map! Where are we going?"
Fortunately, we didn't hike all the way to Windham... this time.
Mr. Suda signs the trail register.
Enjoying the view from Layman's Monument.
The view from the site of the Catskill Mountain House, looking across the Hudson Valley and into the Berkshire foothills of Massachusetts.
Troop 1 at the site of the Catskill Mountain House, a famous resort the opened in 1823 and was in continuous operation until the outbreak of World War II in 1941. The abandoned hotel was acquired with the land by the state in 1962, and the hotel was razed in a controlled burn in 1963.
Getting dinner ready back at camp.
Mr. Kristensen rouses the boys at sunrise to get breakfast ready and start the day.
"Hey! Who stole my tent last night?"
Sean and Matt break down camp.
Peter and Ian prepare breakfast for the Mad Monkeys patrol.
Mr. Kristensen's "famous" Breakfast Stew.
Thanks to Mr. Kristensen (speak no evil), Mr. Suda (see no evil), Mr. Baron (hear no evil), and the other adult volunteers who helped make this fantastic trip possible!
We had lunch on the hike and all along the way were very dramatic views from the trail which at many times followed along the edge of an extremely high cliff! Even at the end of the hike, we enjoyed wonderful views of the Hudson Valley all the way to the Berkshires in Massachusetts. After the hike, we went straight to our campsite near Colgate Lake, set up camp, made dinner, and had our usual fun campfire.
In the morning, we broke camp and drove to Kaaterskill Falls and made the .5 mile hike up to see them and were just as spellbound by their beauty as last year. And were then on our way home after a very fun and exciting campout.
—Chris Kristensen, Ass't. Scoutmaster
Photos by Alex Bacon
Photos by Alex Bacon
Troop 1 Katonah at the trailhead.
"Check your map! Where are we going?"
Fortunately, we didn't hike all the way to Windham... this time.
Mr. Suda signs the trail register.
Enjoying the view from Layman's Monument.
The view from the site of the Catskill Mountain House, looking across the Hudson Valley and into the Berkshire foothills of Massachusetts.
Troop 1 at the site of the Catskill Mountain House, a famous resort the opened in 1823 and was in continuous operation until the outbreak of World War II in 1941. The abandoned hotel was acquired with the land by the state in 1962, and the hotel was razed in a controlled burn in 1963.
Getting dinner ready back at camp.
Mr. Kristensen rouses the boys at sunrise to get breakfast ready and start the day.
"Hey! Who stole my tent last night?"
Sean and Matt break down camp.
Peter and Ian prepare breakfast for the Mad Monkeys patrol.
Mr. Kristensen's "famous" Breakfast Stew.
Thanks to Mr. Kristensen (speak no evil), Mr. Suda (see no evil), Mr. Baron (hear no evil), and the other adult volunteers who helped make this fantastic trip possible!