Hunter Area Trail Coalition Strategizes Expansion of Kaaterskill Rail Trail

Photo of Coalition Members Discussing Connecting Main Street in Tannersville to Rip Van Winkle Lake  

HUNTER — In a recent gathering of the Hunter Area Trail Coalition (HATC), members convened to discuss the ongoing expansion plans for the Kaaterskill Rail Trail (KRT), a project to connect natural wonders and historical sites throughout the Catskill Mountains. With a focus on collaboration and conservation, the coalition aims to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities while preserving the region's natural beauty.

The KRT uses railbeds from the former Ulster and Delaware Railroad (U&D), which once stood as a testament to the allure of rail travel. Branded as "The Only All-Rail Route to the Catskill Mountains," this historic railroad carved a path of adventure and exploration. 

Stretching an impressive 107 miles (172 km), the U&D journeyed from Kingston Point on the Hudson River, winding its way through the rugged beauty of the Catskill Mountains and culminating at its western endpoint in Oneonta. Along its route, it traversed the diverse counties of Ulster, Delaware, Schoharie, Greene, and Otsego, connecting communities and offering travelers an unparalleled glimpse into the natural splendor of upstate New York.

The HATC comprises organizations and state departments such as the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, Greene County Soil & Water Conservation District, The Hunter Foundation, Mountain Top Arboretum, Mountain Top Historical Society, Platte Clove Community, NY-NJ Trail Conference, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Town of Hunter, Village of Hunter, and the Village of Tannersville.

The coalition's significant undertaking, the KRT, is envisioned to span approximately 11 miles from Dolan's Lake in Hunter to the ever-popular Kaaterskill Falls. Although a work in progress, the trail has already seen some phases completed, with the latest achievement being the opening of the Hunter Branch Rail Trail (HBRT) in April 2023. The HBRT spans a little over a mile from Stony Clove Road to Ski Bowl Road.

The HBRT includes a 90-foot-long pedestrian bridge spanning a Schoharie Creek tributary. This bridge, dedicated to Elaina Patterson's son Luke, is adorned with original stone abutments from the former Hunter Branch of the Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Railroad and symbolizes the revival of the region's historical railways for modern recreational use.

A section of the KRT currently spans 1.5 miles from the Mountain Top Historical Society to Laurel House Road in Haines Falls, offering breathtaking views of Kaaterskill Falls. It is a vital link between the area's cultural landmarks and state-managed recreational facilities.

During the recent coalition meeting on April 16, members explored innovative strategies to promote the KRT, including leveraging the popular hiking app AllTrails. Plans were also discussed to extend the trail network, connecting Main Street in Tannersville to Rip Van Winkle Lake sections, utilizing completed projects such as the Railroad Ave Embankment Stabilization & Creek Restoration.

Despite progress, challenges must be addressed, particularly in navigating private property rights, regulatory approvals from agencies like the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and ongoing trail maintenance efforts. 

Michelle Yost, a prominent coalition member, says work has begun on the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and Cortina Mountain Estates property. Still, it will not open until a connector along 23A is finalized. That connector has been designed, but the coalition is waiting to work with the future owner of the former Villa Maria property. They will then apply for a grant to construct it. 

According to Yost, one of the yet-to-be-completed sections connects the Ski Bowl Road trailhead to Dolan's Lake. This section utilizes the site where Camp Jened, a summer camp for people with disabilities, used to exist. The camp closed in 1977 due to financial difficulties. A documentary called "Crip Camp" was made about the site.  

The section between the trailhead to the Huckleberry Rail Trail on Bloomer Road and the HBRT is in the planning stages. At a recent regular Town of Hunter Board meeting, efforts to connect these two sections were discussed. Town Supervisor Sean Mahoney said, “We asked the state Department of Transportation for crosswalks and signage to get [hikers] across 23A and 214, and they seem open to it. There’s some dialogue.” According to Mahoney, the Mountain Cloves Scenic Byway also wrote DOT a letter requesting the same. 

Yost emphasized the importance of regular meetings to address challenges and outlined the upcoming quarterly schedule, with the next meeting slated for June or July. Yost emphasized the complexities involved in their completion.

As the coalition continues its endeavor to create, connect, and maintain trails along the mountaintop, it underscores the dedication of community organizations and stakeholders to preserving the natural and cultural heritage of this section of the mountaintop while providing enriching outdoor experiences for residents and visitors alike.

If you haven't already, check out the reviews of the KRT on AllTrails, and go ahead and take a stroll. You won't be disappointed.