 |
| View from the Overlook summit |
The Town of Woodstock, NY, stands at the foot of Overlook Mountain, the southernmost peak of the Catskill Escarpment—the Catskill Mountains visible from the Hudson River.Native Americans called the escarpment the Wall of Manitou, named for the Algonquian “Great Spirit.” According to Anita M. Smith in her Woodstock History and Hearsay, “There is a legend that when the Indians were on long marches, they avoided passing through the Wide Clove [the path between Overlook and Mt. Guardian to the west] because Overlook exerted a drag upon their footsteps. It would be necessary for them to camp for a while before they would muster enough strength to continue their journey.”
Many generations of Woodstock residents and visitors have felt the spiritual pull of Overlook. In July 1980, Karma Triyana Dharmachakra (KTD) became the first Karma Kagu monastery to be established in the United States. This Tibetan spiritual center is on the site of the former Mead’s Mountain House, opposite the trailhead to the Overlook summit. Countless other places of worship have also made their homes in Woodstock.
 |
| Inside the Overlook Mountain House today |
The approximately 2.5-mile hike up that trail to the Overlook Fire Tower (close to five miles roundtrip) can be a form of meditation, an excellent workout, a way to enjoy nature—or all three. The view from the fire tower and from the Overlook “lookout” atop the escarpment is spectacular, even on a partially cloudy day. And there is plenty to see along the way: the occasional bear or timber rattler, wildflowers with pollinators, and the skeletal remains of the thrice-built Overlook Mountain House. The latter first opened in 1871 and hosted President Grant two years later but burned to the ground on April Fool’s Day of 1875. It was rebuilt in 1878 and flourished initially but ran into hard times in the 1890s. The most recent iteration was begun in the early 1900s but was never finished, falling victim to the Great Depression. What remains today is a concrete structure, once white but now gray and, in places, embellished with colorful artwork.
Having climbed Overlook Mountain for the first time at age five many years ago, I’ve recently joined a group that hikes it every week. I’m finding that there’s always something new to see and enjoy on the path to Overlook.
 |
| A bear on the trail |
When in Woodstock, be sure to hike the moderately difficult trail to the 3,140-foot Overlook summit. From the Village Green, take Rock City Road and then Mead’s Mountain Road north for 2.7 miles to the Overlook Mountain trailhead. In winter, use microspikes or crampons, as the trail tends to be icy. During the warmer months, please be respectful of the timber rattlesnakes (it’s their home, not yours) and keep dogs leashed. Thank you!~ Julia Blelock
