Rochester Hollow, step into the past

For those who like a bit of history with their hike, Rochester Hollow, in the Pine Hill Wild Forest in the town of Shandaken in Ulster County, fits the bill.
The 5.6 mile trail offers an elevation gain of just under 900-feet as it traverses a landscape dotted with stone walls as well as foundation remains and the remnants of toll-gates.

A longtime friend suggested a hike on the Delaware-Ulster county border, without a specific trail in mind. We settled on Rochester Hollow after passing its access - Matyas Road off state Route 28.
There is ample parking at the trail head which can easily hold 10 vehicles, for this easy-moderate hike that has little appeal for hardcore purists who like a challenge.

The trail is an old toll-road which parallels a mountain stream that held scant water during the first week of October.
The trail travels easily through heavily canopied hardwoods where stark white birch trees slice the evergreen backdrop of hemlocks and spruce.
Because the trail snuggles Rose Mountain, the birches are protected from the elements and displayed nearly no sign of autumn's touch in their green, toothed leaves; a contrast to the showy red Maple leaves and fluorescent yellow of fallen Oak leaves. The flashy fallen foliage is nestled between stinging nettle in carpet-like fashion along the first mile of trail.

The small mountain stream cascades continuously and is a conduit for nature to provide poison and
anecdote side-by-side - Jewel Weed can be found close by.
A trail highlight is a monument honoring the memory of famed Catskill naturalist, environmentalist and writer - Roxbury native John Burroughs.

" Their history is of heroic cast. Ravished and torn by the tanner in his thirst for bark, preyed upon by the lumberman, assaulted and beaten back by the settler, still their spirit has never been broken, their energies never paralyzed."- John Burroughs - from his essay 'In the Hemlocks.'
There are two spurs off the main trail - the yellow Burroughs Memorial Trail, accessed before the monument;

 and the red Eignor Trail which loops around fences, partially-buried and still-standing foundations, all made of stone.
Either, or both trails make for a spectacular fall walk in in the woods.

*Between hikes, Lillian Browne writes about the environment, politics and crime in Delaware County. She is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram @lillian.browne, on Twitter @browneinwalton or on Facebook.

Reflecting on Bear Spring Mountain, Delaware County

The western Catskills are decked out in brilliant fall finery right now, which turns an average hike into a visual celebration.

Particularly stunning are views along ridges and from peaks, where a patchwork

of contrasting colors quilt the landscape, clamoring and competing to be seen. 

But sometimes, climbs to those places are impractical, if not impossible, because of physical conditioning or time constraints.

Bear Spring Mountain, a state managed wildlife preserve, is my go-to place when I am short on time since it is located only five-miles from my home.

Over the past two days, I've accessed the mountain via the intersection of trail #2 and #12 at Middle Pond, off West Trout Brook Road - known by longtime residents as Shinhopple Brook Road.

From there, a short but quasi-strenuous-from-quick-elevation-gain hike can be had by heading straight up trail #2.

One way that I have been able to enjoy autumn's offerings, without much exertion, is by sticking close to the three different bodies of water located within proximity of the trail head.

Middle Pond showcases its surrounds with reflection.
Because the pond drains over a man-made retaining wall, a waterfall can be found on it's southwestern side, just the other side a recently rehabbed wooden bridge.

At different times of the year, recreationists of a varying sort - anglers, hunters, equestrians and snowmobilers, use Middle Pond as a meeting point. Its a great place to stop and reflect.