New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-16
AMONG THE CATSKILLs
COOL HOOKS AND SCENES OF GRANDDAUGHTER
nvERIonK 10 PINE ORCnARD.

COOL HOOKS AND SCENES OF GRANpEUR-fhoM
OVERLOOK TO PINE ORCHARD.
lrRoM An OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
KINGSTON, Aug. 12-No one' surrey, ~ '',i'
wear of grace, needs to be told that tho
Catskill Mountains are lovely anu poPu-
lar resort ~" What see You when you GET
tIoro ~ asl,s Edwards In Coopers pioneer"
Creation said Natty, "all creation, lad ~; ana
this i, STILL perhaps the best sentence we have to
state the case. Starting, then from the plain below
saw at Kingston, by way of the Ulster and Della
ware Railway. which is now the best route Tor
those desiring to reach the southern and western
portions of the range you leave the cars at West
Hurley station, a few miles mp the road, II your
destination be the Overlook Mountain, the most
nroninent ooint. and that from which the most ex-
tens,ve view Il before YOU. II. however, you wish
tn 90 further ND this charming valley You may
alipbt at Phenicia Pine Hill, or any OF the inter-
veninp stations. where large pleasant hotels may DE
foupd. But for the Overlook you take comfort
able carriage at the point above mentioned, drawn
l,v four vigorous horses, driven by careful ana
mercifll man. which will take yOu to the large no
tel near the summit in three and half
hours. The ascent begins at the niue viz
lagt Of Woodstock. nestled at the 1901 OF
the mountain. From there you gradually Wnd up
the tortuous road in a conservative manner getting
occasional glimpses Of a lovely landscape. The
road IL somewhat rough and stony until Meads
Halfway House is reached, but thence it is we'll
kent and smooth. although the climb Is steady ana
persistent The way-ride with its numerous trick
ling ris of sparkling water its delicate variety OF
ferns. and the ever-changing aspect of the wood
land which partially overhangs and shades the
road. is bewitching and you reach the hotel only
slightly wearied. Here the magnificent scene
spreads ont before you if by magic. In front lies
the vast plain. the shimmerng Hudson with It's
cities and villages far rs the eye can reach ana
to the north and west tower glorious mountains
"in deep verdure clad" From the crest OF the
mountain $500 feet above Underwater, is obtained
the most extended, If not the finest view in the
Catskills The hotel is now well fitted well man
aged. and comfortably filed. Among late arrivals
are tt omas G.. Sherman and brother, of Brooklyn;
o. Zollkoffer, president of the Manhattan Gas Com
many; the son and nephew of Mr.. Welsh, Minister
70 England: L. Montaos and family, of Cuba, and
others of prominence. This house is said to stand
500 feet higher than any other hotel in the state.
Echo Lake is pretty little sheet of water some two
miles down the mountain bva good road II has been
stocked with trout and is furnished with boats.
From this mountain there is no carriage depart-
ure except bv the road up which we came. But if
one is so inclined, and has the strength and cour-
age for a long wild. and laboriOus tramp, he NAV
pass from here to the other prominent resorts Of the
old Catskil peaks some ten or twelve miles to the
northward, by an old Indian trail The chief points
of interest on the way are Inspiration Rock" be-
fore descending the Overlook the "Platterkill
Falls and prospect Rock" Just below, from which.
looking down the canon toward SauCerties village
and the river the view is most enchanting the open
field as Won emerge from the Wilderness of High
Peak where the far-famed Cauterskill Glow"
meets your view; and finally "Ilaines's Falls" near
which will be found large and pleasant hotel
which has recently been much enlarged 10 meet the
increasing patronage. From this point mp Feather
bed Lane" by the short path to the Laurel
House at Cauterskill Falls y the walk IL short
and pleasant You can here realize the force OF the
old hunters expression when he characterzen ~ as
" the hest niece Of work in the woods'j ana READ
Rryant,s descriptive verses with a new interest.
fonnd the house well filled with a social, jolly com
panv of visitors from many places, most OF whom
are permanent bOarders and old patrons. Among
its recent guests are John Swanson and family,
Liverpool Eng: James Porteous, Scotland; Albert
Brett of the White Star Line, New York, with his
family All through this vicinity there are nnmer-
ons boarding-houses ard hotels of varying capac-
tiles and diverse attractions. A pleasant custom
among the patrons of these smaller houses is TO
" get M loads and drive over to the Mountain
House or Laurel House; partly to enjoy the extern
sive mountain views, and purity for the novelty
and unrestraned fun OF country ride. Inc walk
from this point to the old Catskill Mountain House
at Pine Orchard NAV now be taken by any one of
several different routes described in the gude-books
But the best and most interesting IA by way OF
" Sunset Rock and =" Inspiration Point" which
fully repays for its additional length in charming
scenery all along the route You are continually on
ton of the mountain with no forest to obstruct vour
view and your way lies through a blue mass of
whOrtleberries, that here cover the ground and al
most conceal the tiny little sprlgs that bear them.
Rattlesnakes are said TO frequent these mountains
but they are clumsy reptiles, and You can easily kill
them and count the Tattles, which VIII add to your
adventures. After passing over " South Mountain
and ENJOYING the magnificent views offered at so
many familiar points along the route, you at last
descend to the old Beach Mountain House, the
pioneer hotel of the Catskiils over fifty years DID,
and still by far the largest hotel III the mountains
No visitor of the Catskils needs to he told OF the
scenery. grounds lakes, drives walks, and numer-
Gus objects of interest which cluster around this
house nor OF the treatment It's guests invariably
ceiye. The facilities are ample and complete. ]
find its present patronage more permanent IN char
acter than in former years. The prices are high and
une and July business has far exceeded that of last
wear. Occasionally parties will hire carriage and
driver and travel all through the mountains where
roads exist, stopping week or more az the PROM
inent points The register records large number
of foreigners. and many prominent citizens of this
country. Among the latter may mention Judge
Strong of the United States Supreme Court, and
family, Mrs. General Schofeld and chlld West
Point Edward Bright, of The Examiner
and Chronicle, and family, - and Samuel
wilkinson, formerly of 1HE TRIBUNE Most
of the mountain visitors this year are ladies'
and they are eminently sensible IN regard 10 dress
here. if nowhere else. Their rambling rigs" are
short, loose cool and durable; and their
evening robes, though often elegant, are
vet free from excuses and complications.
As for the men, nobody cares what they wear, ex-
cent themselves and they have chronic h. red of
luggage without single authentic eXccp ion. per
haps. But both a thin and thicker coat are at
least necessary, and hight overcoat IS very com
Portable on the breezy pazzas III the evening. and
even in tine halls and corridors where the air is al
lowed to rush through at will and send the mercury
way down into the sixties. A II you ride in
This evening ar, as you will and should if Won
can afford a. the extra wraps are necessary.
The moonlight is nowhere so sparkling ard charm