Catskill Mountains
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The Catskill Mountains are an extension of the Appalachian Mountains into New York State. These mountains are northwest of New York City and west of the Hudson River and lie within the bounds of six counties ( Otsego, Delaware, Sullivan, Schoharie, Greene, and Ulster). They are actually a dissected plateau, an uplifted region that was subsequently eroded into sharp relief.
The Catskills contain more than thirty peaks above 3,500 feet and parts of six important rivers. The highest mountain, Slide Mountain in Ulster County, has an altitude of 4,180 feet (1,274 m).
Within the mountain range is the Catskill Park and Catskill Forest Reserve. 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 reserve are within Ulster County.
This is a traditional vacation land with many summer resorts and camp grounds. During the first part of the 20th century, many ethnic groups (Germans, Czechs, Jews, etc) established summer resorts in the Catskills that catered to their needs. The "Borscht Belt" was a collection of Jewish resorts (Brown's, Grossinger's, etc) in this region, where many comics got a start in show business. This ethnic tradition has mostly disappeared, although some special groups maintain private resorts. Many of these resorts now attempt to remain open all year and cater to winter activities such as skiing.
The Catskills figure in Washington Irving's story, Rip van Winkle.
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External links
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