North Lake

North Lake

North Lake and Roundtop

Ice and a view towards North Point

Kaaterskill High Peak and Roundtop

The trail to North Point was very wet

The trail up to North Point

North and South Lake from North Point

The towns of Hudson and Catskill also from North Point

The sun shining bright on the Escarpment

Ice. Winter is on its way!

Catskill Graffiti. It fucking sucks!

Newman's Ledge

The view north towards Albany

Sunset Rock with North Lake below

The wonderful pine needle covered Escarpment Trail

North Lake may be the most sought after destination in the Catskills. This may have been the first destination in the Catskills I visited as a child (as long as the fact that I lived below Mettacahonts does not count). But I have not been to North Lake very much. I camped there as a teenager, walked across it in the winter and stopped for a quick lunch when I did the entire Escarpment Trail last year. Still, I feel I should have investigated it more.

I have been to Kaaterskill Falls quite a few times and it's these waters that make the fall over that beautiful waterfall. The first part of the hike I decided to circumnavigate my way around the lake. I mostly walked on pavement and thought to my self, "Damn it'd be great if this lake were more wilderness." But its proximity to NYC sealed its fate a long time ago. This area was home to two grand Catskill Hotels, the Catskill Mountain house and the Kaaterskill Hotel.

The "two lakes", North and South Lake, rest at over 2,000 feet. They are connected and locally the "lakes" are known as North Lake. Looking at a map you have to wonder, Why aren't they called East and West Lake? Early on in our country's life this became a hot destination. Why would it not? Surrounded by mountains and over 1,500 feet above the valley below, it's a beautiful spot. Many artists of the Hudson River School were inspired by this area. And it's readily apparent why. I enjoyed the walk around the lake like so many others before me, the sun shining off the lake, the wind making its presense felt without the protection from the trees and the views of the mountains surrounding the lake.

I then made my way up to North Point. the view from here provides the perfect vantage point of the North Lake nestled in the mountains and high above the valley below. I'd bet their are some great paintings from here with the Catskill Mountain House being the dominant man made structure with in view. Today its mostly obscure buildings in the Valley and some structures along the eastern beach of north Lake.

I then made my way along the Escarpment Trail back to North Lake. Great views along the way. Views into the valley. I often think this would be a great spot to go hang gliding. Then I made my way to sunset rock. I will have to stop here someday when the sun is actually setting. A beautiful spot. The lake with Kaaterskill high Peak rising above. It does not look very impressive from here. you have to wonder how the hotel owners got away with advertising Kaaterskill as the highest peak, when it looks nothing of the such around North Lake.

I then made my way around a bend to sight I won't soon forget, a big white ass. My first time seeing someone squatting, taking a piss in the wilderness (I did see breasts one time near echo Lake after a couple were finished fucking, I presume. That also wasn't one of the most pleasant sights. Couldn't blame them though, it's probably a nice spot to get it on.) But, I guess when your old you don't give a fuck. Just squat down on one of the most popular trails and piss. Why should only the men have it so easy anyhow?