Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest contains more than 13,500 acres of “forever wild” Forest Preserve located at the head of the Beaverkill Valley, an area famous as the cradle of fly fishing in America. Alder Lake is one of the few Catskill lakes with excellent trout fishing and has been referred to as “the manifestation of something better than the common things of every-day life – it is a sanctum for the spiritual renaissance of mind and the rejuvenation of the body.” With an extensive trail network to several ponds, this area is ideal for hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, backpacking, canoeing, cross-country skiing and even has one of the five fire towers in the Catskills.

The terrain is a combination of high mountain ridges, steep sided valleys, numerous brooks and ponds, with elevations ranging from a low of 1,740 feet along Mill Brook to a high of 3,723 feet at the summit of Balsam Lake Mountain.

Source: https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/9152.html

(See each specific hike for directions to the trailhead parking.)

 

 

DELAWARE RIVER REGION TRAIL

Upper Delaware Take a Hike! Trail

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.55863 W75.07761

Getting There: Cross the Delaware River into Pennsylvania at Narrowsburg, NY and drive west for 4 miles on SR 652. Turn left or south on Perkins Pond Road. Stay on Perkins Pond Road for 4 miles until it ends at Welcome Lake Road. The name of the road changes to Case Road as you enter the Township of Lackawaxen. Turn right on Welcome Lake Road and drove .9 miles to Masthope Road. Turn left and watch for the access road for Cobey Pond about 1 mile down the road on the left. Turn into the road and cross Masthope Creek on a small bridge. DO NOT park in the first lot but continue on the gravel road to the left. In about half a mile you will come to an upper parking area and turnaround just before a locked gate. This is the best place to park although it is not obvious as there is no signage anywhere

Difficulty: This hike is rated EASY since it is only 2.2 miles long. The trail follows a road and then a woods road around the lake and is nearly flat. The total elevation gain is only 245 feet.

Trail Surface: The trail surface from the parking area to the pond is covered in large crushed stone which makes walking uncomfortable. Starting at the pond the trail is grass and dirt. There may be wet and muddy areas along the way.

Hike Description: None of the trails are marked with any blazes and there is not a single sign to follow! There are other trails than those described here which are also unmarked. Walk up the hill from the parking area toward the gate. The road is “paved” with large crushed stone which make walking difficult. You may try to stay the sides of the road. At .15 miles the road splits with the paved section heading right and a grassy section heading uphill to the left. Turn right to follow the gravel road which descends just slightly and then climbs a little to the shores of the pond. There is a dock jutting out into the water and a nice wooden bridge over the spillway. The trail continues in both directions around the pound. Turn right as it is the longer hike. After crossing the spillway and reaching the other side of the pond turn left to follow a grassy road that is completely flat around the pond. Stop at the head end of the pond as there are several small “islands” at the upper end. A little farther along the trail splits at about 1.5 miles. The trail to the left circles the shore of the pond but the trail to the right lengthens a very short hike. Turn right and follow the grassy road as it gains a little elevation heading southwest and then south. Continue along the trail completing the loop at 2 miles. Turn right to walk down the road and through the gate to your car.

 
Loop from Parking Area – 1.8 mi

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.8700 W75.0195

Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at Exit 94W and turn left on Route 206. Turn left at the traffic light on Stewart Avenue. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 94E and turn right on Stewart Ave. Drive to the T intersection at the end of the road. Turn right on CR 92 and drive up the hill. Continue for 8.7 miles until Tennanh Lake Road appears on the right. Along the way the road changes to CR 93. Turn right on Tennanah Lake Road and drive 1.1 miles to the Crystal Lake Wild Forest access road on the left. Turn left, drive up the road and park in the small lot. If the road is not passable and you choose to park on the shoulder of Tennanah Lake Road, be sure to pull over as far as you can.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE even though it is less than two miles because the trails are not well marked and are more like well-traveled paths. They are very rough in spots and there are many roots across the trails.

Trail Surface: The surface of the paths around the lake vary from grassy and easy to negotiate to pine =needles and dirt with numerous tree roots. The trail can be wet and muddy in spots.

Hike Description: Walk toward the lake on the access road until you approach the dam at the southern end of the lake. Cross over the dam and watch for some blazes that will guide you round the lake. The trail stays pretty close to the shore of the lake but may be hard to find. Continue looping around the lake until you are back at the dam. Walk back to your car.

SHAWANGUNK REGION TRAIL

Sullivan County Parks and Recreation provides the following map for accessing and using this linear trail: D&H Canal Linear Park Map.

For more information on the Canal, check out the D&H Transportation Heritage Council website.  For more information on the site, check out the Sullivan County Website.

This linear park consists of 45 acres and approximately 3½ miles of trail situated along the historic D&H Canal. Remains of the original locks, drydock & waste weirs are visible from the towpath trail. Interpretive signs are located in the park to assist the visitor to identify the various canal structures. The trail is intended to accommodate a variety of users, including hikers, walkers, nature enthusiasts, bicyclists, joggers, cross country skiers and snowshoeing (motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited). The canal itself offers fine fishing (NYS Fishing License Required) and canoeing.

Two accesses are open at this time, both are located off Route 209. Hornbeck’s basin access is located ½ mile north of Wurtsboro; the Bova Road access is located 4½ miles north of Wurtsboro between the Hamlets of Summitville and Phillipsport. The trail is ideal for hikers, bikers, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, nature watching and fishing. Picnic tables and grills along with porta-johns are available at both accesses.

There is no admission fee, the park is open year round. Hours are from 8:00am ’till dark. Due to the linear nature of this park users are asked to respect the rights of adjacent landowners. Phone (845) 807-0287.