Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0497 W74.6825

Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 12.3 miles to Alder Creek Road on the left. Turn left on Alder Creek Road and drive 2.2 miles to the intersection of Alder Creek Road, Cross Mountain Road and the access road to Alder Lake. Turn right on the aces road and drive to the end parking in the large lot. CAUTION: The access road to Alder Lake is NOT always well maintained and the gate may be closed. If you choose to park outside the gate, be sure to park off the side of the road as far as possible.

Difficulty: This hike is rated EASY because it is relatively flat and short. There may be wet or muddy areas along the way. Sometimes there are trees across the path that you must walk around.

Trail Surface: The trail surface is generally free of large stones and consists mostly of small stones, dirt and grass. The trail can be wet and muddy in places.

Hike Description: Walk out the end of the parking area toward the lake on the path. The stonework on the left is the remains of the Coykendall Mansion that was in such disrepair that the state burned it several years ago. Ahead of you is Alder Lake which is very popular for camping, fishing and hiking. Walk down the path to the left of the lake. Continue to follow the path as it curves around the lake clockwise. You will walk over a bridge that span a small stream that enters the lake. At .8 miles the yellow Millbrook Ridge Trail turns to the left. Stay to the right and cross another bridge over the inlet stream to Alder Lake. After this continue to follow the path which may have some red blazes along the way. The path here follows a woods road at some distance from the lake shore. You will walk out into an open “field” near the dam. Walk toward the dam and cross over it to get back to the “lawn” and the path back to your car.

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0497 W74.6825

Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 12.3 miles to Alder Creek Road on the left. Turn left on Alder Creek Road and drive 2.2 miles to the intersection of Alder Creek Road, Cross Mountain Road and the access road to Alder Lake. Turn right on the aces road and drive to the end parking in the large lot. CAUTION: The access road to Alder Lake is NOT always well maintained and the gate may be closed. If you choose to park outside the gate, be sure to park off the side of the road as far as possible.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE because it is almost 5 miles long and has some ascents on the Millbrook Ridge Trail. There may be wet or muddy areas along the way.

Trail Surface: The trail surface up to the Millbrook Ridge Trail is more of a path and is free of large stones and tree trunks consisting mostly of small stones and dirt. The Millbrook Ridge Trail is a hiking trail which may have some larger rocks and tree roots. The trail is often wet and muddy in places.

Hike Description: Walk out the end of the parking area toward the lake on the path. The stonework on the left is the remains of the Coykendall Mansion that was in such disrepair that the state burned it several years ago. Ahead of you is Alder Lake which is very popular for camping, fishing and hiking. Walk down the path to the left of the lake. Continue to follow the path as it curves around the lake clockwise. You will walk over a bridge that span a small stream that enters the lake. At .8 miles the yellow Millbrook Ridge Trail turns to the left. Turn left on the Millbrook Ridge Trail to begin a 1.4 mile ascent that gains 530 feet. The trail is never very steep and there are several level areas along the way. The trail parallels Alder Creek for most of the hike. There are several beaver meadows along the way on the right side of the trail. You may also find a beaver pond on the left side of the trail in one of the more level areas. At 2.25 miles turn right on a short spur trail down to the Beaver Meadow Lean-to. You may want to walk away from the front of the lean-to on a path that walks down to a flat rock. This is a nice viewpoint and a place to relax before turning around to retrace your route back to the car.

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0497 W74.6825

Getting There: Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 12.3 miles to Alder Creek Road on the left. Turn left on Alder Creek Road and drive 2.2 miles to the intersection of Alder Creek Road, Cross Mountain Road and the access road to Alder Lake. Turn right on the aces road and drive to the end parking in the large lot. CAUTION: The access road to Alder Lake is NOT always well maintained and the gate may be closed. If you choose to park outside the gate, be sure to park off the side of the road as far as possible.

Difficulty: This hike is rated VERY STRENUOUS because it is over 8 miles long and has some significant uphill sections to hike. In fact, Millbrook Ridge is on the Catskill Highest Hundred list! There may be wet or muddy areas along the way.

Trail Surface: The trail surface up to the Millbrook Ridge Trail is more of a path and is free of large stones and tree trunks consisting mostly of small stones and dirt. The Millbrook Ridge Trail is a hiking trail which may have some larger rocks and tree roots. The trail is often wet and muddy in places.

Hike Description: Walk out the end of the parking area toward the lake on the path. The stonework on the left is the remains of the Coykendall Mansion that was in such disrepair that the state burned it several years ago. Ahead of you is Alder Lake which is very popular for camping, fishing and hiking. Walk down the path to the left of the lake. Continue to follow the path as it curves around the lake clockwise. You will walk over a bridge that span a small stream that enters the lake. At .8 miles the yellow Millbrook Ridge Trail turns to the left. Turn left on the Millbrook Ridge Trail to begin a 1.4 mile ascent that gains 530 feet. The trail is never very steep and there are several level areas along the way. The trail parallels Alder Creek for most of the hike. There are several beaver meadows along the way on the right side of the trail. You may also find a beaver pond on the left side of the trail in one of the more level areas. At 2.25 miles the Beaver Meadow Lean-to appears on the right side of the trail. You may visit it if you like on the way out or the way back. Over the next 1.3 miles the trail climbs 750 feet reaching a high point of 3450 feet which places it on the Catskill Highest Hundred list. There are a few steep ascents and descents but they are followed by level areas that allow you to catch your breath. At 2.8 miles the trail turns east and follows Millbrook Ridge. There is a short descent and one more climb on the way to the lookout over Beecher Lake at 4.3 miles. Reverend James Beecher owned the land at one time and used it for quiet contemplation. He was a brother of the author Harriet Beecher Stowe. The property is now home of the Dai Bosatsu Zendo Kongo-ji, Zen Buddhist monastery. You can see the main building of the monastery when there are not too many leaves on the trees. After taking in the view, it is time to turn around, retrace your route and enjoy the downhill hike back to your car.

Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N42.0239 W74.5998

GettingThere: From the east exit State Route 17 at Exit 96W and turn right on DeBruce Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17 toward Roscoe. Drive 1.3 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Exit State Route 17 at Exit 96E and turn right on White Roe Lake Road. Drive to the T intersection and turn right on Old Rt 17. Drive 1.2 miles to Beaverkill Road on the right. Turn right on Beaverkill Road and drive 20.4 miles to end of the Beaverkill Road. You will pass through the hamlets of Lew Beach and Turnwood where the road makes and almost 90 degree turn. At the end of the road turn right into the parking area.

Difficulty: This hike is rated STRENOUS even though it is only 4.3 miles because there is an elevation gain of 1208 feet The ascent up the steep side of the trail averages over a 25% grade!

Trail Surface: The trail consists of areas of dirt grass and small stones until the turn up the mountain. As you ascend the mountain the trail is rough and eroded in places. There are tree roots to walk around and larger rocks to step over.

Hike Description: Start your hike by walking north out of the parking area on the blue-blazed Dry Brook Ridge Trail and hike about .9 miles to a trail junction. Turn left on the red-blazed Balsam Lake Trail to begin your steep climb to the fire tower at the summit. The steepest part of the climb lasts for about .5 miles and you will gain almost 700 feet over that distance. Near the top of the climb a spur trail turns right and leads to a Len-to. Just passed this turn there is a spring and the last part of the climb to the summit plateau. At 1.5 miles the yellow Millbrook Ridge Trail turns off to the left. Continue for another .2 miles to the clearing which has a fire tower. The cab is open every weekend during the summer but the view from just below the cab is almost as good. The fire tower at the top offers a spectacular view in all directions. Balsam Lake Mountain is the westernmost in the Catskill Park and the tower offers an unhindered 360-degree view. Continue on the trail for about .75 miles and you will rejoin the Dry Brook Ridge Trail. The descent is more gentle than the ascent but does have some loose dirt which can cause hikers to slip. When you reach the trail junction with the Dry Brook Ridge Trail, turn right follow this trail 1.8 miles back to the trailhead. At 3.45 miles you will pass the Balsam Lake Trail on the right that you used earlier on your hike to the summit.

 
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.5379 W74.5197

Getting There: Take Route 17/I 86 to exit 113 and head south on Route 209. After about 1.7 miles Haven Road appears on the left. Turn left here and drive to the parking area on the left to park.

Difficulty: This hike is rated EASY because it is just over 2 miles long and is absolutely flat!. The trail can be wet and muddy. The trail to the tower has a few roots.

Trail Surface. The trail is an abandoned railroad bed which is almost completely flat. Most of the trail is packed dirt and gravel. The path to the tower is rougher with dirt and some tree roots.

Hike Description: Start your hike by walking southeast on Haven Road through the marsh toward the rail trail on the eastern shore. Turn left or northeast on the rail trail as soon as Haven Road clears the marsh. There is an access road to some parking areas which you may follow. The trail here is relatively firm even when it has been raining. After about a mile watch for a trail to an observation tower and turn left on this unmarked trail. Within .1 miles you will be at the tower which is more of an observation platform. There are nice views over the marsh to the north and west. Return to the main trail and turn right to retrace your steps to the car.

 
Trailhead GPS: Coordinates N41.5379 W74.5197

Getting There: Take Route 17/I 86 to exit 113 and head south on Route 209 toward Port Jervis. After 1.7 miles turn left on Haven Road. Follow the road as it crosses the Basha Kill. At the first intersection turn left and park in the large lot.

Difficulty: This hike is rated MODERATE because it is almost 5 miles long but is almost completely flat. Most of the trail is packed direr and gravel. The path to the tower is rougher with dirt and some tree roots.

Trail Surface: The trail is an abandoned railroad bed which is almost completely flat. Most of the trail is packed dirt and gravel. The path to the tower is rougher with dirt and some tree roots.

Hike Description: Start your hike by walking northeast on the old railroad bed which makes up a good part of the trail in this area. There are no blazes for either the SRT or Long Path but the route is clear as it simply follows the railroad bed. Within a short distance there is a nice viewpoint over the Basha Kill to the ridges beyond. At about .5 miles there is a path to the left leads to an observation tower with good views to the north and west. You may choose to visit the tower on the way out or on the way back. You may encounter a few wet areas on the trail and some mud. There are also several places where old wooden bridges cross the water. These bridges are slowly deteriorating and the whole atmosphere is one of neglect. At 1.8 miles an underpass beneath the highway allows hikers and wildlife to pass without a problem! At 2.3 miles the trail ends at Pennsylvania Avenue just outside of Wurtsboro. Turn around and retrace your steps to the car