I will be driving from Ithaca NY to NJ this Saturday and decided to take a 2 hour detour seeing the foliage report!
This is the route I came up with, just changed the directions to cover most of the Catskill park. I have no idea what part is better. Any suggestions on something I should not miss? Any good places to pull over for some nice shots? Any more detours, is 23 better than 28/28A? Should I stick with 17 and take some exits on the way?
I don't have much time as I have to reach a reunion party by noon, so can't really do any hikes.
Planning to start early morning and hit Catskill region by sunrise!
That's a great route, Vikas. I drive it all the time when I go home to visit my parents. On Route 30 you will wind around the Pepacton Reservoir which is beautiful. On Route 28A, you will be near the Ashokan Reservoir, also beautiful. While there, stop at the pedestrian area near the bridge across to Shokan - it's a good place to shoot (look for the row boats near the water - they make good subjects).
One detour you might consider:
From Route 206, head south on Route 8. This will take you to the Cannonsville Reservoir. Then head east on Route 10 to join back up with route 206 in Walton.
I added 2 pause markers to the route along the Ashokan for you .
BTW, you will be just 3 miles from where I grew up at that last pause marker I added. You get good views of the Catskills across the reservoir from there.
You might want to check out the covered bridge near Downsville. Here's a web site with a map of the locations of covered bridges. The links to each location show directions and pictures.
If you're thick on time, you could drop down on 4 to 213 from Olivebridge at the Ashokan Reservoir. Continue on to High Falls and the Mohonk Lake preserve...it's a lake on top of a mountain! Then wind down the road (with at least one worthy overlook) to New Paltz and the Thruway.
I was raised in Fleischmanns, it's funny to see it on your map. During leaf peeper season my grandmother always wanted to take a drive up Dry Brook. Looking at your map you could turn off just after Pine Hill on what they call Gelli-Curci Rd (I knew it as Belleayre Mt. Road, it goes up to the ski area anyway) and take it over to Todd Mountain and then pick up Dry Brook Rd and drive down to Arkville.
My mod to your map
I was raised in Fleischmanns, it's funny to see it on your map. During leaf peeper season my grandmother always wanted to take a drive up Dry Brook. Looking at your map you could turn off just after Pine Hill on what they call Gelli-Curci Rd (I knew it as Belleayre Mt. Road, it goes up to the ski area anyway) and take it over to Todd Mountain and then pick up Dry Brook Rd and drive down to Arkville.
My mod to your map
Funny, I've been to Belleayre Mt. too many times to count and I never realized that road went up and over to the other side. I thought it just ended at the ski resort. I'll have to try that detour next time I go by.
Funny, I've been to Belleayre Mt. too many times to count and I never realized that road went up and over to the other side. I thought it just ended at the ski resort. I'll have to try that detour next time I go by.
My uncle owned the hotel/restaurant just as you turn off RT 28 and was the superintendent of Belleayre. My grandfather worked for the state as well and when I was a kid I would go with him up to the fire tower on Belleayre and watch for fires. It was the coolest thing, stilling up in that tower with my grandfather.
My uncle owned the hotel/restaurant just as you turn off RT 28 and was the superintendent of Belleayre. My grandfather worked for the state as well and when I was a kid I would go with him up to the fire tower on Belleayre and watch for fires. It was the coolest thing, stilling up in that tower with my grandfather.
...and probably North/South Lake, Woodstock, the Tivoli light...
Seriously, though, Vikas, your route is sensible. Driving the south side of the reservoirs will give you good light. There are pull-offs all along the reservoirs but especially where roads cross dams and at junctions. You could skip the trip to Kingston as described in my suggestion before (the first one). But you can't go wrong, really.
Keep an eye out for interesting stone houses built by Deutsch settlers in the Hurley area. Look up a few of the covered bridges for small side-trips.
You can, of course, return by the same route. (I would.) When you get to Walton drop down on Rte 10 past the Cannonsville Reservoir to Deposit. Then Rte. 17 will take you back to 81 and you'll catch 79 at Whitney Point. That gives you another view and highway the rest of the way home.
I was raised in Fleischmanns, it's funny to see it on your map. During leaf peeper season my grandmother always wanted to take a drive up Dry Brook. Looking at your map you could turn off just after Pine Hill on what they call Gelli-Curci Rd (I knew it as Belleayre Mt. Road, it goes up to the ski area anyway) and take it over to Todd Mountain and then pick up Dry Brook Rd and drive down to Arkville.
My mod to your map
This sounds like a great modd, only adds 30minutes, sounds like it should be worth taking! Thanks John!
...and probably North/South Lake, Woodstock, the Tivoli light...
Seriously, though, Vikas, your route is sensible. Driving the south side of the reservoirs will give you good light. There are pull-offs all along the reservoirs but especially where roads cross dams and at junctions. You could skip the trip to Kingston as described in my suggestion before (the first one). But you can't go wrong, really.
Keep an eye out for interesting stone houses built by Deutsch settlers in the Hurley area. Look up a few of the covered bridges for small side-trips.
You can, of course, return by the same route. (I would.) When you get to Walton drop down on Rte 10 past the Cannonsville Reservoir to Deposit. Then Rte. 17 will take you back to 81 and you'll catch 79 at Whitney Point. That gives you another view and highway the rest of the way home.
Thanks KaDi! I can't take this route coming back, I will be driving back late in the evening. I like the final route with pauses added by Gary and John, its not too bad with timing as well..
If I start getting late I will take up route 4 that you suggested, also looks like a nice drive although I will miss out on visiting the place where Gary grew up!
