32. Huckleberry Point

Distance:	Dayhike
Difficulty :	Easy to moderate for children
Distance :	3.5 miles, round trip
Hiking time :	3 hours
High point/elevation gain :	2530 feet, 340 feet
Hikable :	May-October
Map :	NY-NJ Trail Conference Map 41

Looking for the kind of expansive views you have from a mountain summit without the demanding climb? Head for the overlook known as Huckleberry Point, where the breathtaking view extends west to Hunter Mountain and east to the Hudson River Valley. The 1.75-mile woods walk to the point is a cinch, but don't plan on being bored. On our hike, we saw a baby porcupine stumble along the trail, a family of deer leap over the trail, and a black bear amble away from the trail (much to our relief).

This is a good choice for a family in average physical condition without a lot of trail experience. There is little chance of getting lost, and you'll be afforded some of the best views in the Catskill area with minimal effort. (An added bonus: this trail is tucked into an out-of-the-way corner of the Catskill Park, so you're likely to have the woods to yourself. Well, you'll have to share with the porcupines, deer, bears. . . . )

From New York City, take the Thruway (I-87) north to Exit 19 in Kingston. Follow NY-28 west for approximately 26 miles and turn right onto NY-214 in Phoenicia. Drive approximately 15 miles on NY-214 to the junction with NY-23A and turn right (east). In approximately 0.6 mile, turn right (south) onto Greene County 16 (also called Bloomer Road), following a sign to Platte Clove. Two miles from NY-23A, as a road splits right to Elka Park, stay left toward the little village of Platte Clove—the name of Greene County 16 now changes to Platte Clove Road. Approximately 6.4 miles from NY-23A, cross over a stone bridge and park in the turnout on the right, just before a sign that indicates a very steep grade ahead.

Walk northwestward on County Road 16, recrossing the bridge. Look left into the gorge to see Plattekill Clove—the lively Plattekill Creek flows through it. (See Hike 31 for an explanation of these Dutch-derived place names.) Shortly, turn right (north) onto a gravel road marked with the blue blazes of the Long Path and the orange stamps of a snowmobile trail. Climb steadily on the rutted road, where the loose rocks and deep furrows might make the going tedious for some youngsters. The frequent Platte Clove Preserve posters invite the public to explore the area during daylight hours. Pass under stands of hemlocks where a few lonely birch trees struggle for sunlight.

When your group takes its first rest stop, have the children play "Senses." Kids take turns closing their eyes and feeling, smelling, or listening to a forest object chosen by an adult. Who has the sharpest senses? Some ideas: kids can feel a soft patch of moss, smell "Christmas" in hemlock needles, listen to a dry leaf being crumpled.

At a junction 0.5 mile from the start, turn right (east) onto a wide path, guided by the blue-and-orange trail markers, as the unmaintained woods road continues straight (north). You're now in a section of the Catskill Park called Kaaterskill Wild Forest. In another 0.1 mile, the blue-and-orange trail (the Long Path) curls left (northeast) as you continue straight on a foot trail marked by tin can tops painted white with red centers. This trail, maintained by "Nature Friends," trends downward, passing stone piles on the left. What other signs of earlier inhabitants can the kids find? Toppled stone walls? An old foundation?

The trail drops into a damp area at 0.7 mile where hikers hop over a stream and then reach the bank of a splashing brook. Cross on stones (watch for the blazes), or use a tree that has fallen across the brook slightly upstream of the spring waters that make a stone crossing too difficult.

Head across an overgrown tote road, still on the blazed trail. Rising gradually, the trail winds through the shade of another hemlock grove. Look for a large, double-trunked birch, riddled with holes from eager woodpeckers. Do the kids know what the woodpeckers are looking for? Who does the best woodpecker imitation?

Tucked between sections of low ledge, the trail twists up a boulder-strewn hillside. Let the kids assist as you scan the trees for blazes. Can you spot any without the red centers? As the trail crests, mountain laurel pushes persistently in from either side. In this predominantly oak forest, ask the kids to search for a double acorn, one still wearing its "hat," and one that has been chewed.

Just over 1 mile from the start, the trail drops down ledge steps, heading southwestward. As the path curls to the left (east), laurel intrudes once more, forcing hikers to push through the thick bushes. Have the kids feel the leaves on a laurel plant. How do they differ from the leaves on surrounding trees? The waxy surface of the laurel leaves protects the plant from ice and snow in the winter.

Hike another 0.3 mile to arrive at an open rocky area where pitch pines stand stalwart against the buffeting of the wind. At an intersection among the boulders, the marked trail bears right (south) on a descent; an unmarked trail heads left. Follow the markers down the slope with views from the overlook emerging before you.

Keep the kids nearby when you reach impressive Huckleberry Point, a set of tiered ledges that sits 1500 feet above Plattekill Clove. Here is the spot for a picnic. Can you see the transmission and fire towers crowning Overlook Mountain? Look right (west) to see the imposing ridge that stretches from Indian Head Mountain (Hike 31) to Hunter Mountain (Hike 38). Pass around the binoculars for a closer look at the hawks that soar spring, summer, and fall above Plattekill Clove.

When you've finished eating and admiring, retrace your steps to the car.

Note: Camping and fires are not permitted.