HUCKLEBERRY TRAIL LETTERBOX:
TANNERSVILLE, NEW YORK
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Planted: July 14, 2008
Length: Huckleberry Trail; 2.1 miles
Bloomer Road to Letterbox; 0.7 miles
Rip Van Winkle Lake to Letterbox; 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate. Flat, hard packed gravel rail trail. Mountain bike recommended.
Directions:
From I-87 take exit 20 to Route 32 northwest. In Saxton, turn left onto Route 32A. In Palenville, take Route 23A northwest into the Catskills. Very scenic drive up to Tannersville. In Tannersville; To start from Rip Van Winkle Lake; Take a left down S Main Street which will run into Railroad Ave. Park at the Lake, where the trail passes through. To start from Bloomer Road; Continue along Railroad Ave which turns into Spruce Street (Route 16). Spruce Street turns into Platt Cove Road. When you come to Bloomer Road, take a right. Just after you cross over Gooseberry Creek you'll see a pullout on the right for a couple of cars. The trail starts just up ahead on the right.
The Huckleberry Trail runs along the former Huckleberry Line Railroad bed, originally owned by the Ulster & Delaware and Canajoharie & Catskill Lines. The long range plan is to eventually extend the trail east to the North South Lake campground in Haines Falls and west into the village of Hunter.
Starting from Bloomer Road; The trail starts just up the road from the pullout near a wooden railing. The crushed gravel trail heads into the woods and brings you alongside a green fence. Down below is Gooseberry Creek. You'll cross over a wooden bridge at a 1/2 mile and enter a Hemlock forest with a wooden fence along your left and the creek below to your right. You come to the end of the wooden fence, next to a stone filled culvert at 0.7 miles. Continue for 1 pace (2 steps = 1 pace) and turn to your left facing the hill. About chest high along the hill with be a good sized rock. Spot an oblong rock under its left side. Behind this rock, under another flat rock placed on top to protect it is the Huckleberry Trail Letterbox. Continuing along the trail, you'll come to another green fence overlooking Gooseberry Creek. After crossing a wooden bridge you then cross Railroad Ave to a park. A pavilion, playgrounds, restrooms and parking are located here next to Rip Van Winkle Lake at 1.4 miles. Another bridge takes you back along the rail trail as it parallels the lake. This section is a bit rougher as you head into the woods. The trail eventually veers off the old rail bed and ends at Clum Hill Road after 2.1 miles.
HH
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
SEPTEMBER 5, 2009
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