Shavertown Trail - A Glimpse of Delaware County's History

A piece of Delaware County's history lends itself to one of the county's most spectacular views accessed from The Shavertown Trail in Andes, which overlooks the Pepacton Reservoir.

The first one-mile section of the trail, found near the intersection of state Routes 30/28 and county Route 1 also marked BWS Road, is a challenging 520 foot climb.

Trail head parking is located at the boat launch on the northeast side of the Shavertown Bridge, a short distance from the trail. The trail begins with a plank foot-bridge that spans a small gully to deliver hikers to the trail head sign-in, where primitive wooden walking sticks and/or hiking poles have been left behind.

The narrow foot path is well-worn, clearly marked and traverses a mostly-young hardwood canopy of heavy shade. As the trail climbs, so does the rockiness. However, trail maintenance crews have done a superb job of ensuring mostly easy footing by placing larger flat rocks and an occasional plank atop seasonally muddy spots. Watch out, though, there is the sporadic sapling that has been cut two or three inches above ground that can provide a tripping hazard.

In addition to wildlife - a red fox was spotted crossing the main road en-route to the trail and toads, birds and butterflies were present along the trail. A wide-variety of mushrooms were also spotted.

The trail sharply turns upon intersection with an old logging road just past the half-way point of the first section of trail.  The logging road soon becomes mostly grassy and is cut in a swath through a wildflower meadow flush with goldenrod, queen anne's lace, yarrow, chickory and a variant of wild astilbe.

Near the crest of the grassy knoll, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, which has partnered with the Catskill Mountain Club to construct the trail, maintains a weather station. The weather data collection system records temperatures, precipitation, humidity and wind speeds and transmits the information via solar-powered means to a central location for record keeping and forecasts.

It is near the weather station that dragon- and damsel-flies begin flitting about heralding Snake Pond a couple of hundred feet away. The well-mowed trail around the pond provides access to benches crafted by the Catskill Forest Association in honor of CMC volunteer Ann Roberti, which are positioned to provide stellar views of the Pepacton Reservoir.

Below the Pepacton Reservoir lie the sites of  former towns:  Pepacton, Arena, Union Grove and, of course, Shavertown.  The building of the dam - located in Downsville, was completed in 1954 and the reservoir was filled in 1955. Approximately 954  people from the four towns were displaced by the construction of the reservoir and dam. There were 13 cemeteries between the four towns from which bodies were re-interred. Many graves were unclaimed and before flooding the reservoir, DEP re-interred those bodies at what is now known as the Pepacton Cemetery, located between Andes and Downsville on NYC Road 30a, off county Route 1; providing the former residents with a final resting place that is maintained by New York City personnel.

As one takes in the views of distant mountain tops in shades of blue, purple and green, the reservoir waters can be seen rippling from either bench-marked vantage point.

The landscape adjacent to Snake Pond is dotted with low-growing berry plants, which show off a brilliant red contrast to the earthen-hued cattails and shimmering goldenrod hugging the pond.

The hiking trail can be completed with a 1.5 mile loop which rounds Perch Lake Mountain with an additional 240 foot elevation gain. The complete trail gives hikers a 5.3 mile workout.

* Lillian Browne is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram at lillian.browne, on Twitter @browneinwalton or on Facebook.

Bramley Mountain - An exercise in elevation

The Catskill Mountain Club's newest hiking trail, created in partnership with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, is a exercise in elevation.

This trail surpasses the myopic beauty of most Delaware County hiking trails by providing a variety of views, scenery, wildlife, flora as well as choices in degree of workout.
A couple of drawbacks, that have nothing to do with the trail itself, are directions provided by partnering organizations and parking.
To elaborate on directions - from the village of Delhi, take Delaware Avenue aka county Route 18, also known as Back River Road to Glen Burnie Road, rather than taking state Route 28 South, toward Bovina and Andes to pick up Glen Burnie Road.

Though either direction will get you there, the southerly direction, which I took,  is the scenic route, adding unnecessary but picturesque miles onto the trip.
There is only room for three vehicles at the trail head, which is marked by a smallish sign around a blind curve, on a windy section of a dirt and gravel road. I recommend parking on the shoulder of the roadway, above or below the trailhead - which is wide enough to accommodate several vehicles.
CMC has provided several pamphlets in the trailhead sign-in which give a recommended route for either of the two trails OR a combination of both. They know what they are talking about.
The 1.2 mile Quarry Trail is an excellent warm up for the large loop which includes the 1.8 mile Summit Trail.
I bumped into CMC volunteers who were in the midst of trail maintenance and gave plenty of advice about the trail, which they have all hiked several times.

I also bumped into two trail runners. This 20-something duo gained my respect within the first five minutes of our encounter. Not only were they both outfitted in running shorts and sneakers, they had picked up a red handkerchief dropped by the trail maintenance crew mid-way on the Quarry Trail with the intent on returning it to them - and, they were RUNNING while talking. Respect.

They also greeted #charliebrowne with a quick hello and pat on the head as they RAN by, speaking to their animal-friendly ways.
The pair stopped long enough for me to snap a photo of them as they made their way back from what must have appeared to them as a mismarked trail near the abandoned stone quarry.
The Quarry Trail is peppered with a macramé of artistically crafted stone walls that intersect intermittently with the old logging/quarry road which serves as the trail. The craftsmanship displayed in the wall-building, which varies from two- to four-feet in height, speaks to not just the work ethic, but attention to detail, in days gone by.
Another tip for hikers as the Quarry Trail becomes the Summit Trail is to CROSS the old roadway that leads to the former fire tower to pick up the trail. I missed this on the first pass, making an assumption that the trail followed the old road on a decline. It was only when I failed to spy a blue or red trail marker after several hundred feet, that I backtracked UP the old road and noted the marker opposite the exit of the Quarry Trail.
The trail footing is firm yet soft (not many rocks), clear of debris and expertly maintained, making the climb and the descent easier than expected.

There are rock ledges and caves along the trail, which trail maintainers described as "Porcupine Caves," which caused me a bit of concern about hiking with a dog. Not a single porcupine was spotted along the trail that was filled with birdsong, mushrooms and an occasional toad.
The trails are shaded in a light-to-heavy canopy of mostly young and mid-growth hardwoods about 90% of the way. One becomes grateful for that during ascension of the Summit Trail.
The first clearing, which provides a spectacular view of distant mountaintops, is welcomed and almost precisely timed to a needful rest and rehydration break.

CMC was thoughtful in placing a lovely bench/art-piece at the site, which makes for off-the-ground-seating and interesting photos.
The second viewing location, the site of the former fire tower, is breathtaking, and for future trips, is a great place for a picnic lunch, sketching, photography, reading or painting.

From here, the descent begins.
The descending trail is neatly mowed through a blackberry bramble that rambles for what seems like miles. The bushes were heavy with un-ripened fruit, which the first weeks of August will change.

It was along this trail that I spied two common, but slithery and silent, snakes. One was large and lazily crossing the freshly mowed trail; the other small, spry and climbing uphill - directly beneath my right foot. From that point on, I was resistant to taking my eyes off my footing lest I encounter another of their tribe.
#Charliebrowne responded to my shrieks by first making certain that I was not in imminent danger and then by walking a mere six inches away from my right side, for the next several hundred feet. As if reading my mind, he then switched tack and padded three feet directly in front of me to scare away any other shriek-inducing reptile. Good Dog.

The remainder of the trail is the stuff that famed local artist Richard Kathmann's (and fellow tree-hugger-lovers') dreams are made of. The young hardwoods that cover the hillside are nestled in a carpet of sea-green ferns waving in an ever-present light breeze.
The appearance of stonewalls further down the trail herald the end of the four-mile loop.

The trail peaks at 2,817 feet, making it a hearty challenge to Delaware County hikers.  I underestimated the amount of water I would need for myself and my four-legged friend and only brought 32 ounces. I recommend carrying more than you think you will need, because no matter the weather, you will need it.

I am also happy to report that bugs were not much of a problem. I did not apply insect repellent, except on my socks and boots out of tick-induced fear, and found myself doing very little bug-waving.
The trail is scheduled to be officially opened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, July 29, 2016.
Happy trails fellow hikers, this is going to be a favorite!

* Lillian Browne is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram at lillian.browne, on Twitter @browneinwalton or on Facebook.

A Walk Down Memory Lane - The Andes Rail Trail

The Andes Rail Trail, off county Route 2, also known as Cabin Hill Road and/or Depot Street, in Delaware County, is a short one-mile flat trail that provides a glimpse into the area's geological and industrial history.

The trail is clearly marked and well-maintained by local hiking group Catskill Mountain Club, which has positioned interpretive history signs throughout its length.

Seasonal wetlands have been considered by the construction of several foot-bridges and higher-ground mud-avoiding trails.

Glimpses of days-gone-by can be spotted on the trail itself where grass has not yet taken hold and cinders darken the path.  Subterranean rails-ties lend themselves to the rhythmic landscape.

The remnants of an engine turnabout can be spotted near the beginning of the trail which is now outfitted with a shaded bench.

The rail trail ends with an invitation to hikers to challenge themselves on the Bullet Hole Spur, which is an easy, well-marked trail, with occasional short climbs that Catskill Mountain Club has dubbed "moderate."

The spur trail criss-crosses the face of the hillside on a mostly-dirt, narrow switchback foot path. The path guides hikers through a lightly forested but well-shaded section of the mountain marked with artistic and surprising cairns.

Many hiking purists, naturalists and environmentalists  discourage the creation of these mini-stone sculptures for a variety of reason, but I found them aesthetically pleasing.


Completion of the one mile in-and-out Bullet Hole Spur adds two miles to the in-and-out rail trail.

* Lillian Browne 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.

Plants that Bite !

Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) can be spotted throughout Delaware County, typically along roadways. The invasive plant has naturalized in the United States, and can also be found in fields and sometimes, lawns.

 
The plant is identifiable by its hollow grooved stem, and its fern-like leaves which resemble celery leaves. The flat topped yellow flowering heads are clustered in groups of three to eight and it can grow up to five feet tall.

Wild Parsnip is flourishing along roadways and waterways in Delaware County. Here, it can be seen along state Route 30/206 in Downsville, adjacent to the East Branch of the Delaware River, in July.

 The plant is particularly abundant this year and, I suspect, that is due, in part, to highway crews opting to spray pesticides during its late growth stage as a cost savings measure, rather than mow roadside before the plant goes to seed.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the sap of the plant contains chemicals called furanocoumarins, which can burn the skin when exposed to sunlight. The reaction, phytophotodermatitis, will first cause a blistering of the skin and can also cause discoloration of the skin and increased sensitivity to sunlight.
If contact with the sap occurs, wash the affected area with soap and water and keep covered, away from sunlight, for 48 hours. If blistering does occur, stay out of the sun to prevent discoloration of the skin.
 

The leaves are similar to celery leaves. 

I had my first encounter with this plant several years ago while mowing at my farm.   Not knowing that I had gotten the sap on my knees, I spent the remainder of the day in the sun and suffered blisters for two weeks, followed my three months of discolored skin where the sap had touched my skin.

The plant is invasive, going to seed late summer and populating surrounding areas with the help of the wind.

The DEC encourages the public to report sightings of wild parsnip to www.nyimapinvasives.org.



Wild parsnip can be eradicated in small areas by cutting roots one to two inches below the soil and removing the plant before it goes to seed. Mowing the plant after it has bloomed, but before it has gone to seed can also help to remove it. Always wear protective clothing when handling the plant.

Floating the East Branch

One of my very best gal-pals suggested we paddle over Memorial Day weekend. It was a last minute, thrown-together outting - as are most of our adventures. Lack of forethought and planning did not translate into a lackluster trip as we ventured for the first time this season down the East Branch of the Delaware River, in Downsville, NY.

There was bottleneck traffic at various locations from the historic Downsville Covered Bridge - our launch point, to the Corbett Roebling Suspension Bridge, our exit point.

We encountered too many 20-somethings to keep count, who embraced their own float as an annual rite of passage in welcoming summer in the Catskills.

Anglers did not have much success, though floaters gave them a wide berth. Schools of blue-hued Carp outnumbered the native trout that the stream is famous for.

Complaints have been heard for the past couple of weeks about the vegetation growth that has also stymied fisherman. 

My outdoor adventure partner is usually my yellow Labrador Retriever, Charlie. He is better suited to hiking and exploring on foot, rather than on water. However, we met a distant cousin, six times removed (as all labs are) - who is the kind of water dog that loves to float as well as swim. 

It was a great day to be on the water, no matter how many feet one has.

 

* Lillian Browne works as a newspaper and travel magazine editor to fund her adventure habit - which she indulges every chance she gets. She is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram or on Twitter @browneinwalton

Invaded : If You Can't Beat it - Eat It!

Many native and non-native invasive plants have begun to bloom in Delaware County.  These plants have the ability to cause strife between neighbors. What some see as pests, others see as a gift - and sometimes even as food.
Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is probably among one of the most recognizable non-native invasive plants in the area.

The clustered plants are visible along stream banks and roadways throughout the region.  Stream bank management personnel loathe this plant with a fierceness rivaled only by a political battle.
The shallow root system, they say, causes instability of the stream bank and contributes to worsened conditions during a flood.
Plant lovers, myself included, instead look at the plant's attributes.
What was once thought to be a plant that hampered motorist visibility on roadways or merely provided the necessary bamboo swords and forts of childhood folly, has found a new status as an edible.
The young shoots of Japanese knotweed can be eaten, under certain conditions. They must be prepared in a certain manner to remove digestive irritants. I have eaten knotweed baked into poundcake that had a cooked rhubard taste and consistency.
The late summer flowering seed-head also provides food-stuff for honey bees. The plant is in the buckwheat family and the raw honey and honeycomb that are created with the plant are particularly tasty.

The young shoots of Japanese knotweed are edible.

Botanists and others who study plants may have heard of the Doctrine of Signatures - which, in part, says that a plant will grow where it is needed and what it is needed for.

Perhaps coincidentally, Japanese knotweed began sprouting up on the heels of what the media was touting as a honey bee crisis, one in which honey bees were said to be disappearing. Plants, in may cases are dependent upon bees for pollination and propagation. The disappearance of the honey bee would be impactful for many reasons. But Mother Nature seems to have at least partially addressed that concern by providing a helpful natural food source for them.

Another tasty invader, Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) can be found neighboring with knotweed. This plant is delicious. It can be eaten raw, in small amounts, in salads and used in place of spinach in many dishes. 

Garlic Mustard is also edible, raw or cooked.

As the name suggests, it has a distinct garlic flavor, is a member of the onion family and a cousin to another native invasive - wild leeks or ramps (Allium tricoccum.) Ramps can also be eaten raw or cooked and used in place of spinach or other greens.
There is an abundance of information available on the health benefits of eating plants in the onion and garlic family. 
And let us not not forget spring's ever-present dandelion. The common lawn weed/flower is often the first food source for honey bees, but equally important is the plant's tremendous health benefits. The leaves and roots are both edible and chock full of vitamins. It can, likewise, be eaten, raw or cooked. And the flowers, as the great-grandparents of the northeast knew, are the base and source for dandelion wine.
The next time a plant makes it's presence known outside your doorstep - ask why.  How can the plant help you or its environment? Plants only show up where conditions are perfect for them to exist and there is a purpose for them to fulfill.

Happy foraging!

* Lillian Browne works as a newspaper and travel magazine editor to fund her adventure habit - which she indulges every chance she gets. She is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram or on Twitter @browneinwalton
 

Blooming Trails

The unusually cool but wet conditions  in the northeast part of the country this spring have resulted in blooming hiking trails on Bear Spring Mountain in the towns of Colchester and Walton in Delaware County.

Two rare specimens

Not only are ephemerals such as wild ramps or leeks and trout lilies prolific this year, but endangered species such as red trillium (Trillium erectum aka "Nosebleeds") are flourishing.

A flourishing patch of wild leeks or ramps

Traversing trail no. 7 during the first weekend in May was a feat - maneuvering through suction cup mud while battling ear-bound midges and no-see-ums.

Charlie Browne is an expert at fettering out the muddiest, wettest sections of a trail. Here, he found Skunk Cabbage or Symplocarpus foetidust 

Before embarking on the two hour hike, I crossed paths with one of the friendliest New York State DEC Forest Rangers to ever police the back country of Delaware County - Jason Seeley.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Ranger Jason Seeley

Seeley and I have found ourselves in the same place at the same time a number of times while I was covering a forest or brush fire and he was called in by a local fire department for his blaze extinguishing expertise.
The man is a pro in every sense of the word, and I dare say, he loves this mountain as much as I do. He offered a word to the wise before he began his patrol and I began my hike - carry a whistle and be alert for bears.
Charlie Browne and I  did not encounter a single bear, though we spotted fresh scat and more Spring Beauties than we could count.

Top: Spring Beauties, Left: Trout Lilies, Right:  Shoe Leather Express Only

#getoutsideandplay
#hikethecatskills

* Lillian Browne works as a newspaper and travel magazine editor to fund her adventure habit - which she indulges every chance she gets. She is exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram or on Twitter @browneinwalton