11. Cohotate Preserve

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Easy for children
Distance :	2 miles, loop
Hiking time :	2 hours
High point/elevation gain :	120 feet, 100 feet
Hikable :	March-October
Map :	USGS Hudson North

Nine footbridges, 3000 feet of unobstructed Hudson River waterfront, a pond—what more could the kids ask for on a hike? Well, maybe a waterfall, but hey, nothing's perfect. This is a very easy and enjoyable trail that is a great introduction to hiking for young children. The Cohotate Preserve covers only 52 acres, but it has enough variety in terrain to be fun for all.

From New York City, take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 21 for Catskill and the Rip Van Winkle Bridge. Follow NY-23 east to the intersection with NY-385 in Catskill. Turn north on NY-385 (toward Athens) and follow it for 1.9 miles. The sign and large gravel parking area for the Cohotate Preserve and Greene County Environmental Education Center will be directly off the road on the right.

Begin the hike at the information signboard at the east end of the parking area, where the red-blazed Tree Observation Trail begins as a broad gravel path leading northeast. Informative signposts along the way explain basic ecology concepts such as forest layering. Take a look at the forest around you. The vegetation is in distinct layers, starting with the ferns, grasses, and wildflowers on the forest floor, then moving up to the shrubs such as mountain laurel and small, thin trees such as alder and birch, then moving even higher to the tall, thick oak, maple, hickory, and other trees. What would happen if you cut all the big trees down? (For one thing, the squirrels wouldn't have any acorns to eat.)

The Tree Observation Trail curls to the right and becomes the Main Path, heading east and down a steep hill through mixed hardwoods toward the Hudson River. Kids can safely run ahead here for the next 0.25 mile or so. As you walk along, you'll note a footpath leading off to the left, just past an interpretive sign discussing birds of prey. Ignore the path for now and continue on the gravel trail to a grassy open area along the river, dotted with beautiful mature trees.

The modern wooden building you see as you leave the woods is the Hudson River Environmental Field Station, used by researchers studying the Hudson River; it's also used for school classes and special events. Call ahead to see if an event such as a naturalist-led walk is planned for the day of your visit.

The field station is near the site of an old ice house, where kids can look for the remains of the old foundations. A picnic area near the Field Station has informational signboards about the Hudson River ice industry, which flourished in the 1800s. What would life be like without a refrigerator? It's a mental stretch for the kids, but there might well be older people in your family who remember having old-fashioned ice boxes—ask them about it when you get home. For now, ask the kids how you could keep things cold without a fridge. Could you still have ice cream? How about frozen waffles?

The gravel path leads along the river to a pleasant picnic area that would be a good spot for lunch or a snack, before or after exploring along the riverfront Break out the dip nets and mayonnaise jars, and be prepared for wet feet and perhaps a dunking as the kids scramble around and hunt for frogs, blue-claw crabs, and dragonflies.

The Cohotate Preserve takes its name from the Iroquois Indians' name for the Hudson River, which can be translated as "water that flows two ways." It's easy to see why here. This section of the river has easily visible tidal wetlands (see Hike 28 for more on this type of habitat) and intertidal mud flats that are visible at low tide and covered by water at high tide. The marshy vegetation bathed by tides twice a day makes this an ecologically important area for the fish, birds, and other wildlife along the river. Fish lay their eggs in the wetlands, frogs and turtles abound, and birds such as great blue herons and ducks find food in the vegetation. Gulls fly overhead and bob on the water; you might even spot a bald eagle or osprey soaring overhead. Birdwatchers should make an effort to visit the Cohotate Preserve during the spring migration season. The birds follow the natural pathway of the Hudson River on their way north and stop in the wetlands to rest and feed on the way.

Once the kids have had their fill of critter-hunting and have found some interesting rocks and driftwood treasures to take home, backtrack along the gravel path the way you came, past the Field Station and back into the woods. When you reach the birds-of-prey signboard, turn right onto the red-blazed footpath you passed earlier. This is the Riverside Trail. It meanders for 0.25 mile more or less north along and above the shoreline and over five footbridges crossing stream-filled ravines. The trail leads to an overlook and observation deck with great views over the river. That's the Rip Van Winkle Bridge to the south and the city of Hudson across the river.

From the overlook, the trail turns sharply southwest and leads back through the woods over three more bridges. From the last bridge, the information signboard at the end of the entrance path will be on your left; a large pond and wetland area will be on your right. The pond was artificially constructed in 1998 to increase the educational opportunities at the Preserve. Explore around the edge of the pond, and then head back to your car the way you came on the gravel Tree Observation Trail.