Pratt's Rock

First look of the rocks

There are a few benches carved out of the rocks

Pratt buried his horses and dogs here!

The Schoharie

Pratt's son

Zadock Pratt

Pratt really loved his horses

The Schoharie Valley and the Catskills

A year ago Prattsville still hadn't recovered

Bearpen

A nearby waterfall 

Turned out to be a great sunset

Pratt created the Bureau of Statistics and the Arm & Hammer is a tribute to the workingman

This is another Catskill landmark that I've known about for a long time, but I've never gotten around to.  I also had no idea what I was going to check out.  Originally, I thought there were old Indian carvings here.  I was totally wrong.

Pratt's Rock are sometimes referred to as NY's Mt Rushmore.  A very little Rushmore, since Lincoln's Nose is larger than these carvings.  As legend has it, a jobless stone-cutter asked Zadock Pratt, a wealthy tanning entrepreneur, for a handout.  Pratt had this guy carve out some images which overlooked his farm. 

This is a great little hike.  I made the climb up 3 times for various reasons.  When you first see the rocks from below, you doubt they could have been carved.  The park must keep up with painting them.  There is also a tomb for Pratt, but it leaked so he was moved elsewhere. 

The Rocks aren't everything here.  There is an outstanding view point above the rocks.  To the south, Bearpen and Vly are in view.  To the west, the town of Prattsville is in view, thanks to its recovery from Hurricane Irene.  The views are mostly to the east and of the Schoharie Creek and a few Catskill peaks.