Outdoor activities are abound with Stamford’s proximity to Mount Utsayantha, the Headwaters Trails, the Catskill Scenic Trail, and Mine Kill State Park. Hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, mountain Biking, golf and other activities are also available for outdoor enthusiasts.
Mount Utsayantha
Located just outside of the Catskill Forest Preserve is the 3214 foot Mount Utsayantha and it’s popular fire tower. It is located just southeast of the village of Stamford in Delaware County. This mountain is a village park and you can either hike or drive the one mile gravel road to the summit. There is a 680 foot elevation gain for the one mile road. On the summit is the restored fire tower, numerous radio towers, picnic tables, a summit building and a porta-potty.
There are two “hang glider” take off spots, one just below the summit and the other in front of the summit building. Both have spectacular views, however to get the 360 degree views you’ll need to climb the fire tower. Since this fire tower is located outside the Catskill Forest Preserve, it is not part of the “official” Fire Tower Challenge that the Adirondack Mountain Club promotes.
Directions: NY 23 east from the village of Stamford, right on Mountain Avenue. This road will become extremely steep. There is a dirt road on the left as you crest the ridge, which is Tower Road. You’ll see a sign for the park on the corner. Park in this area if you are planning to hike the road as there are a few private driveways’ prior to the main climb up to the Fire Tower. The GPS coordinates are N42 23.581 W74 35.969 of the start of Tower Road for those who have a GPS devise.
Description credit to the CNY Hiking Trail Page.
The Headwaters Trails
One of the great things about the Headwaters Trails system in Stamford is that it’s connected directly with the village. From Main Street in downtown, you can walk onto Academy Street, go one block north, and enter this 26-mile network of multi-use trails. There are quiet wooded paths, challenging uphills, and open views from the many fields and from the summit of Bald Mountain (2720’). Other access points include Archibald Field (on Route 10 North across from the NYSDEC offices) and from the Catskill Scenic Trail, on the eastern edge of the village at Crestline Drive. Although a trail map is still in the works, the trails can be easily be explored by those with a good sense of direction and a few hikes in their legs.
The trails at Headwaters are used by primarily by hikers, mountain bikers, and hunters (during hunting season). The views from the many open meadows are excellent, looking for many miles in three directions. To the south, Mount Utsayantha and Churchill Mountains are prominent, and the look down the valley of the West Branch of the Delaware is striking. To the east, several higher summits in Greene County dot the horizon, while the westerly views take in the softer hills in Harpersfield and beyond. From downtown, the hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is just over two miles one way and about 900’ in elevation gain, with the steepest sections near the top. There are great lookouts all around the mountain, especially near the old ski lift of the former Scotch Valley Ski Area.
Description credit to the Great Western Catskills blog.
The Catskill Scenic Trail
The Catskill Scenic Trail lives up to its name as it winds through a broad farming valley and small towns in New York’s Catskill Mountains. The West Branch of the Delaware River is often in sight, with opportunities for fishing and wading in the river’s cool waters. The route is primarily agricultural and can at times take your breath away—especially when the farm fields have recently been fertilized.
The trail’s west end is in the village of Bloomville. A short path downhill from the parking lot on Agway Road takes you across Route 10 and to the rail-trail. The Sheffield Farm Dairy plant, located in Bloomfield, contained the country’s first milk pasteurization facility. The Ulster and Delaware railroad trains served the plant in the early 1900s. Some restoration work is currently underway on the dilapidated building. Continuing east, you cross a series of bridges back and forth over the river, and fishing access points are numerous.
Directions: To reach Bloomville from I-88 in Oneonta: Take the exit for State Route 28 toward Delhi for 20.7 miles. Turn left on State Route 10 for 7.7 miles. East of the village of Bloomville, look for Agway Road (also known as Feed Store Road) on the left.
To reach Roxbury from I-87: Take the exit for New York State Route 23 West. In Grand Gorge, turn south on New York State Route 30. The trail begins at Hard Scrabble Road. There is limited parking along the shoulder.
Description credit to the Trailink Page for the Catskill Scenic Trail.
Mine Kill State Park
Located in the scenic Schoharie Valley, Mine Kill State Park overlooks the NY Power Authority’s Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. Providing good fishing opportunities, the lower reservoir is stocked with trout and walleye, and has several other species, including bass and is ideal for motor boating, kayaking and water skiing.
Mine Kill State Park has an Olympic size pool, wading pool and a diving pool available at no cost to anyone. Swim lessons are taught in the summer months–please contact the park office for details. Other warm weather activities include hiking and mountain biking on the parks 8 miles of trails. The park also hosts sessions of the Headwaters Soccer Camp in its regulation sized athletic fields. League play is also welcome.
Cascading 80 feet through a narrow gorge is the picturesque Mine Kill Falls for which the park is named. A separate parking area, 1/4 miles south of the parks’ main entrance, provides access to the overlook viewing platforms, as well as the Long Path hiking trail to the lower falls and beyond. In winter, visitors enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
The boat launch on the Blenheim-Gilboa Reservoir is open daily, April 1 to October 15. Boaters are required to clean their boat using the park’s hot water boat wash station before launching any vessel on the reservoir and sign in at the park office or boat wash station. For more information, please contact the Park Office.
In the fall bow hunting for deer is allowed by permit only. Hunting permits are issued by the New York Power Authority via a lottery system. Please call the Power Authority Visitor Center at 518-827-6121 for more details.
Description credit to Parks.NY.gov.