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where are the catskills and adirondacks

by Kaitlyn Bailey Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

The Catskill Park is around 100 miles north of New York City, whereas the Adirondack Park covers most of the state's northeast corner.Jan 16, 2012

Full Answer

Are the Catskills related to the Adirondacks?

Although the Catskills are sometimes compared with the Adirondack Mountains farther north, the two mountain ranges are not geologically related, as the Adirondacks are a continuation of the Canadian Shield.

Where are the Catskills?

Despite what the map says, nearly the entirety of this map is of the Catskills. East of the Hudson River are The Berkshires and the Taconic Mountains, and to the far north (central and northern Albany County, and far-northern Schoharie County) are the Appalachians.

Where can I camp in the Catskills?

Devil's Path is one of the many trails open for hikers. Spots to camp in the Catskills include Bear Spring Mountain, Little Pond, Mongaup Pond, and North-South Lake.

Where can I find media related to Catskill Mountains?

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Catskill Mountains. Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Catskills. Wikisource has the text of the 1921 Collier's Encyclopedia article Catskill Mountains. "Catskill Mountains" .

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What is the difference between the Adirondacks and the Catskills?

The most obvious difference between the Catskills and the Adirondacks is the mountains that line both regions. In the Catskills, hikers will notice that most of their summit hikes take them to mountain peaks that are domed rather than sharp-looking, or peaked, like the Adirondacks.

Is the Catskills in the Adirondacks?

Are the Catskills part of the Adirondacks? No, the Catskill Mountains are not part of the Adirondack Mountains. The Catskill Mountain range does, however, connect to the Pocono Mountains in Northern Pennsylvania.

Where are the Catskills located?

southeastern New YorkCatskill Mountains, dissected segment of the Allegheny Plateau, part of the Appalachian Mountain system, lying mainly in Greene and Ulster counties, southeastern New York, U.S. Bounded north and east by the valleys of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers, respectively, the mountains are drained by headstreams of the Delaware ...

Where are the Adirondacks located at?

Northern New YorkThe Adirondack Region is located in Northern New York, about 4 hours north of Manhattan and two hours south of Montreal. It is a vast wilderness, but it isn't as remote as some might think.

What's special about the Adirondacks?

These mountains are New York's most expansive landmark; they are not only historic but also spectacular. The Adirondack mountains sit on 6 million acres of land filled with beautiful flora and fauna. Whether you are in New York, Montreal, Boston or Philadelphia, you can get to these mountains in a few hours.

Is Bear mountain in the Catskills?

Besides the thirty-five 3500 foot peaks in the Catskills, there are many other smaller mountains to climb. In addition, there are hundreds of miles of trails to hike. There are also MANY other places to hike also.

Are the Catskills in upstate NY?

The Catskill Mountains, also known as the Catskills, are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains, located in southeastern New York....Catskill MountainsCountryUnited StatesStateNew YorkRegionHudson ValleyCountiesDelaware, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster18 more rows

Do New Yorkers still go to the Catskills?

Though the Borscht Belt Resort was once a major vacation destination in New York's Catskills, it's today an abandoned area. The Catskills Resorts were a safe haven for Jewish New Yorkers who went to vacation there because they were banned in the 1920s from most of the city's hotels.

Are the Adirondacks part of the Appalachian Mountains?

A map of the main mountainous regions of the northeastern United States. Strictly speaking, neither the Adirondacks nor the Catskills and Poconos are part of the Appalachian Mountains, having much different origins.

Are Adirondacks in Vermont?

The Lake Champlain Region, better known as the Adirondack Coast, serves as the eastern border of the Adirondacks. Gaze across Lake Champlain at the Green Mountains of Vermont with the Adirondack High Peaks at your back.

Do people live in the Adirondacks?

There are more than 100 communities in the Adirondacks, and while they each have their own character, all have the outdoors in common. Hiking, fishing, canoeing, rafting, skiing and cycling all draw visitors and keep locals out in the natural world.

What is considered the Adirondacks?

Adirondack Mountains, byname Adirondacks, mountains in northeastern New York state, U.S. They extend southward from the St. Lawrence River valley and Lake Champlain to the Mohawk River valley. The mountains are only sparsely settled, and much of the area exists in a primitive natural state, protected by state law.

What is the difference between the Catskills and the Adirondacks?

The most obvious difference between the Catskills and the Adirondacks is the mountains that line both regions. In the Catskills, hikers will notice that most of their summit hikes take them to mountain peaks that are domed rather than sharp-looking, or peaked, like the Adirondacks. This usually means that the ascent will be more gradual and less rocky, as the mountains themselves resemble a rolling hillside as opposed to a steep, craggy mountain range.

What are the most popular hiking trails in New York?

The Catskills and the Adirondacks are undoubtedly two of the most popular hiking destinations in New York State. While Upstate is popular for a wide variety of reasons, it's also a haven for thrill-seekers and those who want nothing more than to immerse themselves in nature. With that being said, the Catskills and the Adirondacks cover different terrains and offer hikers completely different options.

Is the Adirondacks a good place to hike?

The Adirondacks are a different animal entirely when it comes to hiking. While that's not to say there are not beginner-friendly trails, a majority of them are steep and feature terrain that could change from one switchback to the next. It's a great place for those looking to work up a good sweat or enjoy the views from 5,000+ feet above sea level.

Do the Catskills have deciduous forests?

Hikers are more likely to find deciduous terrain in the Catskills. Rather than towering pine and evergreen trees - which do well in Alpine environments and at high altitudes - the Catskills features more lush ground cover. Additionally, the mud is kept to a minimum, for the most part, with the exception of recent rain, which can affect some trails. In regard to seasons, the Catskills sees more variety in color during the fall due to the sheer number of low-altitude trees that grow in its forests. In the spring, the trails are abundant with green plant life and wildflowers.

Which is better, the Catskills or the Adirondacks?

When it comes to being one who enjoys the winter landscape, the Catskills wins out due to proximity. If you happen to be closer to this region then it's automatically the better choice. The roads throughout upstate New York, especially the further north a traveler goes, can be incredibly unpredictable in the middle of the winter. The Adironda cks do have varying elevations that are more so than that of the Catskills which means more switchbacks, more closed roads, and more potential for hazards.

What are the Adirondacks like?

When the birds are chirping and the sun is high in the air, the streams, rivers, and waterfalls roar back to life and it truly is like a whole new world. Gone are the icy and frigid snow-covered mountains and back are the trees the blossom into lush greenery.

What is the best temperature for the Catskills?

By contrast, the Catskills remain at a temperature between the 70s and 80s; however, at night, they dip low into the 50s and 60s, which makes for the ideal summertime climate. It's perfect for fire pits, outdoor dining, camping, and hiking. These temps also lend themselves well to water sports, as it won't be blazing hot by the time you're ready to get out and lay on one of the many Catskills riverbanks or lakeshores.

What is the temperature in the Adirondacks in summer?

It's quite the contrary, actually - during the summer, especially the late summer, temps in the Adirondack mountains soar and usually hang around 80 to 90-degrees Fahrenheit, and tend to remain that way with only brief reprieves from a summer thunderstorm or two. Hiking in this can also lead to many mistakes as the temperatures take more of a toll on a person's body than one might anticipate at higher elevations.

Is the Catskills a cozy place?

In terms of small towns that don't feel overly isolated, the Catskills is homey cozy. When it comes to choosing one or the other, and determining whether a longer drive is worth it, there's only one way to decide for sure: follow the seasons.

Do the Catskills stack up to the Adirondacks?

While this is a little less in the Catskills, both regions have their own ski and snowboard areas, but the Catskills doesn't necessarily stack up to the Adirondacks' elevation or resorts. When it comes to being one who enjoys the winter landscape, the Catskills wins out due to proximity.

Is New York on the East Coast?

New York State is home to some of the most diverse landscapes along the East Coast which can make it challenging to figure out what's worth seeing. For those who live in the state or around it, or even in northern New England in the case of the Adirondacks, deciding between two major mountainous regions - the Catskills and ...

How big is the Catskills?

As a cultural and geographic region, the Catskills are generally defined as those areas close to or within the borders of the Catskill Park, a 700,000-acre (2,800 km 2) forest preserve forever protected from many forms of development under New York state law.

Where is the Catskills bike race?

Bicycle racing includes the Tour of the Catskills, a three-day road stage race held in Green and Ulster counties each summer, and the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Windham. Other cycling resources include the Catskill Scenic Trail, the Headwaters Trails in Stamford and the Roundtopia trail network (mapped by the Round Top Mountain Bike Association). Several ski centers provide downhill mountain bicycling in the warmer months.

What type of rock is the Catskill Mountains?

Age of rock. Devonian and Mississippian. Type of rock. Sedimentary. The Catskill Mountains, also known as the Catskills, are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains, located in southeastern New York. As a cultural and geographic region, the Catskills are generally defined as those areas close to or within the borders ...

How tall is Slide Mountain in the Catskills?

The highest mountain, Slide Mountain in Ulster County, has an elevation of 4,180 feet (1 ,270 m). Climatically, the Catskills lie within the Allegheny Highlands forests ecoregion .

How many acres are there in Catskill Park?

Within the range is the Catskill Park, comprising over 700,000 acres (280,000 ha). Catskill Park is part of New York's Forest Preserve. Not all the land is publicly owned; about 60% remains in private hands, but new sections are added frequently. Most of the park and the preserve are within Ulster County, with a significant portion in Greene County, and parts in Sullivan and Delaware counties as well. Many of the trails in public areas are maintained and updated by the New York–New Jersey Trail Conference and the Catskill Mountain 3500 Club.

Why were the Catskill Mountains built?

The Catskill Mountains fire towers were constructed to facilitate forest fire prevention and control . Twenty-three fire towers were built in the Catskill Mountains between 1908 and 1950. The fire towers fell out of use by the 1970s as fire spotting from airplanes had become more effective and efficient, so the fire towers were decommissioned; the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower was the last to be taken out of service in 1990. All but six of the towers were dismantled. The five remaining towers have been renovated and opened to the public as observation posts with panoramic views. The remaining towers are:

What is the name of the mountain range in Pennsylvania?

The Pocono Mountains, to the immediate southwest in Pennsylvania, are also a part of the Allegheny Plateau. The Catskills contain more than 30 peaks above 3,500 feet (1,100 m) and parts of six important rivers.

Which is harder, the Catskills or the Adirondacks?

Obviously, the Adirondacks are tougher. I polled a handful of knowledgeable Catskills/Adirondack hikers and, basically, everyone agreed the ADKs are at least 50% harder than the Catskills.

How high is the Catskills?

A lot of Catskills hikes start at fairly high elevations — all but two top out below 4000 ft — whereas Adirondack hikes often start at lower elevations and the summits are usually 500-1500 ft higher than in the Catskills.

Can you hike two Catskills peaks together?

Sometimes you can string two Catskills peaks together and it still won’t match a single peak Adirondacks hike.

For planning, prepping and execution, here are 9 key differences between hiking the Catskills and Adirondacks high peaks

This short Instagram Live talk takes you through nine crucial things you need to consider when hiking the Adirondacks High Peaks Region — even if you have hiking experience in the Catskills, or elsewhere.

Adirondack Mountain Lists

This website is produced by me, Sean — one person. I love building this resource for our community. If you’d like to support this work, you can sign up at patreon.com/TotalCatskills/ at whatever level you feel comfortable.

Where to go in the Catskills?

In the Catskills, you could check out Kaaterskill Falls (highest tiered falls in NY) and visit the pleasant nearby Hudson river town of Saugerties. Many people also enjoy the shopping and dining in Woodstock. There are many scenic drives in the area as well.

Is the Adirondacks beautiful?

Both are beautiful areas of the State, however if only one choice, the Adirondacks. Few reasons:

What is DEC campground?

DEC campgrounds provide a wide variety of experiences, including island camping, tent and trailer camping, boat launching facilities, hiking trails, beaches and day use areas with picnic tables and grills.

What is NY camping loyalty program?

NY Camping Loyalty Rewards Program - Earn points for every dollar that you spend on overnight accommodations at New York State Campgrounds.

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Overview

Geology

Although the Catskills are sometimes compared with the Adirondack Mountains farther north, the two mountain ranges are not geologically related, as the Adirondacks are a continuation of the Canadian Shield. Similarly, the Shawangunk Ridge, which forms the southeastern edge of the Catskills, is part of the geologically distinct Ridge-and-Valley province and is a continuation of th…

Etymology

Nicolaes Visscher I's 1656 map of New Netherland located the Landt van Kats Kill at the mouth of Catskill Creek. The region to the south is identified as Hooge Landt van Esopus (High Lands of the Esopus), a reference to a local band of northern Lenape Native Americans who inhabited the banks of the Hudson and hunted in the highlands along the Esopus Creek.

Geography

The Catskill Mountains are approximately 100 miles (160 km) north-northwest of New York City and 40 miles (64 km) southwest of Albany, starting west of the Hudson River. The Catskills occupy much of two counties (Greene and Ulster), and extend slightly into Delaware, Sullivan, and southwestern Schoharie counties.
At the range's eastern end, the mountains begin dramatically with the Catskill Es…

Recreation

In the mid–20th century, summer resorts in the Catskills, nicknamed the Borscht Belt, were a major vacation destination for Jewish New Yorkers. At its peak of popularity, about 500 resorts operated in the region. Later changes in vacationing patterns have led most of those travelers elsewhere, although there are still some bungalow communities and summer camps in the region caterin…

Structures

The Catskill Mountains fire towers were constructed to facilitate forest fire prevention and control. Twenty-three fire towers were built in the Catskill Mountains between 1908 and 1950. The fire towers fell out of use by the 1970s as fire spotting from airplanes had become more effective and efficient, so the fire towers were decommissioned; the Hunter Mountain Fire Tower was the las…

Transportation

From 1872, the northern part of the Catskills were served by the Catskill Mountain Branch of the Ulster and Delaware Railroad which was absorbed into the New York Central railroad in 1932. Oneonta to Kingston passenger rail service continued until 1954. Part of the line still exists but now serves only freight.

In popular culture

The Hudson Valley Film Commission maintains a list of films set in the Hudson Valley/Catskills Region. Of them, more than three dozen films are set in the Catskills. Author/illustrator Jonathan Schork, born and raised in Olivebridge in the southern Catskills, acknowledges the area as the inspiration for two of his children's books: 2016's The Love of Simon Fox, and 2018's More Tales from t…

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