Upstate Life Outdoors Edition 2020

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OUTDOORS 2020

Hunting for a Hobby DIY Beef Jerky A Hike at Overlook Mountain & More!

Find ‘Happy Trails’ on Horseback this Fall

OUTDOORS 2020

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Saddle Up

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Hunting for a Hobby

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VOLUME 14

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Upstate Life Magazine, Winner, New York State Associated Press Association First-Place Award for Specialty Publications, is published by: The Daily Star, 102 Chestnut St., Oneonta, NY 13820 © 2020 - All rights reserved.

Find ‘Happy Trails’ on Horseback this Fall

Sport Sees Renewed Interest Through Pandemic

Publisher Fred Scheller

Shotgun Sports a Hit with Every Bird

Editor Denielle Cazzolla

Popularity of Local Trapshooting on the Rise

Interest in Hiking Heightens Across Catskill Mountain Club Trails More People are Choosing to Take a Hike Amid Pandemic

Managing Editor Allison Collins Graphic Designer Tracy Bender Advertising Director Valerie Secor

The Old Walls Talk Nineteenth-century Chestnut Street was Home to ‘Great Wall of China’

Interested in advertising in Upstate Life Magazine?

Call toll-free, 1-800-721-1000, ext. 235

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Cookin’ with Collins

We invite you to email your comments to: upstatelifeeditor@thedailystar.com

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Geology Day Trip

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Business Directory

DIY Beef Jerky

On the cover

A Hike at Overlook Mountain

Meet the Locals

Five-year-old Lucas Butcher of New Berlin builds a sandcastle on the Gilbert Lake waterfront in Laurens on Wednesday, July 15.

SARAH EAMES | THE DAILY STAR

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ISSUE 5

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BY CAITLYN OGDEN

Find ‘Happy Trails’ on Horseback this Fall 4

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F

all in upstate New York is one of the most strikingly beautiful of the four seasons, but it can be a bittersweet season, as winter looms large. This year especially, many are dreading cold temperatures, as questions about if New Yorkers can continue holding COVID-19 at bay during the colder months and flu season remain unanswered. While limitations on gatherings and social distancing will likely remain through year’s end and beyond, there are still many ways to get out of the house, spend time with friends and get a little adventure in this autumn.

Horseback riding is a hobby uniquely suited to social distancing. Even horses that are friends tend to prefer distance from one another when being ridden. Outside, in the fresh air, atop some trusty steeds, it becomes easier to have fun, talk to friends and observe CDC guidelines.

Upstate New York is home to many miles of horse trails, including state parks and private land. Often, trails are multi-use and enjoyed by hikers, mountain bikers and riders of all-terrain vehicles. If a rider is careful and keeps an eye on footing, most

multi-use trails are suitable for horses. So, pack your saddlebags or a backpack, pull out the trailer and get ready to see parts of the central Leatherstocking Region, the Catskills and beyond.

Keeping Horse & Human Safe Before heading out, there are some things a rider should keep in mind, ensuring that they and their mount stay safe and respectful of the land on which they are riding.

Karla Terpstra, owner of T&K Farms in Masonville, shared why she loves trail riding and ways to stay safe. Terpstra, who is 27 and has been riding for 16 years, trains professionally.

“It really requires your horse to use multiple skills” she said. “I do really enjoy a good gallop during trail rides and allowing my horse the freedom to move out.

“Make sure your horse is physically and mentally prepared,” Terpstra continued.

“That ultimately means, don’t be a ‘weekend warrior.’ Even if you just take 10 to 15 minutes during the week to do groundwork or lunges, then it’ll make a huge difference in the (horse’s) fitness.”

It’s important to make sure your horse can bend and flex and use its body, Terpstra noted, to safely and physically navigate

whatever comes along on a trail, including tight turns or circles.

It’s also advisable to regularly introduce horses to a variety of new things, ensuring confidence when faced with unforeseen obstacles. One thing that stops many a willing horse in its tracks is water. Here, Terpstra said, it’s important to remember that every horse is different. Some horses will have little fear of water, she noted, while others will stop completely and refuse to budge.

“Don’t keep kicking and pulling (if this happens),” Terpstra said. “Ask the horse to take one step forward, then let them think again and when they relax, ask for another step forward. If you need to, get off and lead them through to show them they won’t be swallowed by the great watery abyss.”

There are things to keep in mind for the human side of trail riding, as well. When riding out, always plan your route.

If you are going to be crossing private land, Terpstra said, you want to make sure you have permission beforehand.

“It is incredibly important to respect landowners,” she said. “If you know you are going to be riding on someone’s land, always ask first and always carry your horse’s paperwork.” Such paperwork includes proof of a negative Coggins test, vaccinations or a health certificate, depending on how far you are traveling.

“Carry your cell phone as well,” Terpstra continued, “and make sure it is on you, not on your horse. If you happen to tumble off and your horse leaves you, you’re going to seriously regret putting your phone in your saddlebag.”

Knowing your riding plan, Terpstra noted, also gives you a change to let people at home know where you are going and when you anticipate being back, should an accident happen.

As autumn draws into winter, communicating with landowners is especially important, Terpstra said, to limit riders’ chances of coming upon hunters.

CONTRIBUTED

Woodland trails are seen through the ears of ‘Tyner,’ a horse owned by Karla Terpstra of T&K Farm in Masonville.

“Hunting season is always tricky, and you may want to avoid riding out during it,” she said. “If you do go, be sure to wear bright colors and put bright colors on your horse and be especially respectful of whose land you are on.”

My favorite thing “about trail riding

is being one with my horse – feeling him walk and look around and the feeling of closeness.

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— Lorraine Faucett, Patchwork Trail Riding employee

Where to Ride & What to Bring

Susquehanna River. Throughout the Blueway are multiple horse trails with varying landscapes.

Across the state, and especially in upstate regions, the Department of Environment Conservation encourages trail riding on its managed, public lands.

Riders must bring a copy of their horse’s negative Coggins test results or a 30-day health certificate if a horse is coming from out of state. Horses are restricted to multi-use trails and designated horse trails, as indicated on maps and trail markers. Check the DEC’s websites for additional rules, guidance and safety tips.

In Madison County, the Beaver Creek State Forest, part of the Brookfield Unit Management Plan, is a popular trail-riding destination. As the trail passes through the heart of this state forest, it’s a good chance to practice your water crossing.

Equine Experiences for Everyone Don’t own a horse, but still want to experience trotting through the woods on a bright autumn day? You are in luck. The region is home to many farms where the horse-interested of all skill levels can enjoy the great outdoors and the company of a good horse.

CONTRIBUTED

Karla Terpstra, aboard ‘Noah,’ demonstrates social distancing on the trail.

The DEC describes the forest as being primarily cedar, balsam fir and native hardwood. Riders can camp with their horses and explore the 25-mile Brookfield Trail System. The off-road trails are open to horses May 1 through Oct. 31. A negative Coggins certificate is required, and the DEC requests all visitors follow the “Leave no Trace” program, which outlines ways to ethically utilize forest lands while minimizing impact on wildlife and ecosystems.

In Delaware County, Bear Spring Mountain Campground and Day Use Area sits in the western end of the Catskill Forest Preserve. In addition to activities such as beach and boat rentals, the property also allows horse camping and trail riding. Bear Spring offers roughly 24 miles of horse trails, camping, beautiful vistas and fresh air.

In Otsego County, the Otsego Land Trust manages many properties open for public use, including several with options for day trips with horses. The OLT manages the Blueway Trail, which connects a series of OLT-owned spots from Canadarago Lake to the

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One such establishment is Patchwork Trail Riding of New Berlin. Wednesday through Sunday, staff members share their love of horses and the land with those who want to enjoy the sport, but don’t own horses.

Patchwork employee Lorraine Faucett said she loves to ride in the fall and wants to share that, even among those new to the idea.

“It’s OK if you’ve never been on a horse before,” she said. “I start all rides with a half-hour lesson to let the rider become familiar with their horse and (learn) how to ride safely.”

The land around Patchwork Trail Riding includes meadows and woods, “with a touch of dirt roads and hills,” Faucett said.

If time allows in the ride, Faucett noted, riders will traverse parts of the Brookfield trail system. The key, though, is simply having the experience.

“My favorite thing about trail riding is being one with my horse – feeling him walk and look around and the feeling of closeness,” Faucett said.

In a time where closeness can feel far away, what better way to soothe the soul? Getting close to nature and a steady, friendly horse is a recipe for happy trails. +

Hunting for a Hobby

BY ALLISON COLLINS

Sport Sees Renewed Interest Through Pandemic

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ith the pandemic caused by the spread of COVID-19 prompting people to pursue backto-basics cooking methods, gardening and recreation, local firearms experts and biologists said, it’s no surprise to see new and renewed interest in hunting, too.

Jim Farquhar, wildlife biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, said, since shifting hunting license sales online, applications have increased.

“It’s a little bit of a challenge to measure, because of when the pandemic started relative to hunting seasons,” he said, “but when we look back to April, when we were able to provide online hunter education options and the response we got to that, it was

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overwhelming. There was an uptick in hunting license sales at that time.”

Such an increase, Farquhar noted, is unusual for that season, which is primarily a time for turkey hunting.

“From the beginning of April until May, we saw about an 80% increase for license sales compared to the year before for the same period,” he said. “We sell very few licenses at that time of year, because most people have bought theirs back in September of the previous year. So, numerically, it measured in the few hundreds of additional licenses; it wasn’t an 80% increase over a full year, but that bump was very encouraging and more people were buying (licenses) in April or May than we have had previously.”

you look at things “When like biking, kayaking and hiking, all sorts of outdoor activities have really picked up. Other recreational options weren’t open (during the pandemic), and people have really taken an interest in getting outdoors where they can socially distance; hunting and fishing are among those activities.

”

— Jim Farquhar, wildlife biologist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

A Hike in Hunters Though reasons for such boosted interest vary, Farquhar said, the pandemic has played a part.

“We’ve allowed for an online hunter education course to be available to hunters in New York, and we’ve had roughly 36,000 people complete that since April,” he said. “In a typical year, we run about 20,000 through the course. That’s a strong indicator that a few things are going on: with COVID, people have some time; people are looking for other activities to pursue, and that’s definitely COVID-related; and there’s a measure of interested (people) that have always been there, but they couldn’t schedule (the course) because it conflicted with other activities.”

Farquhar said in late August that the fate of upcoming licensing courses remains undetermined. Fall, he noted, will bring goose, grouse and squirrel hunting and, in early October, archery for deer and small-game hunting. Mid- to late October, he said, sees the start of regular big-game hunting, including deer and bear.

“We will take a good look and decide whether or not to extend that offering,” he said, noting that “many other states” have transitioned to online licensing options indefinitely. “We will pick our in-person courses up again as soon as we’re able, but depending on what happens, we’ll make a decision to

continue providing the online option and likely will have both available.

“The state is required to provide a course free of charge for anyone who wants to take it,” he continued, noting that, because of a cost associated with the server-host, the online course carries a $19.95 fee. “At some point, we have to get back to providing the free, traditional course.”

A Socially Distant Sport Farquhar credited hunting’s inherent social distance and surging self-sufficiency with driving interest.

“When you look at things like biking, kayaking and hiking, all sorts of outdoor activities have really picked up,” he said.

“Other recreational options weren’t open (during the pandemic), and people have really taken an interest in getting outdoors where they can socially distance; hunting and fishing are among those activities.

“We saw it this spring with gardening and DIY home-improvement projects,” he continued. “To some degree, people are looking for self-sufficiency. People’s incomes are down and things like hunting and fishing, where you’re procuring wholesome protein, become attractive to folks and either they’re coming back to it if they’ve done it before, or they’re picking it up for the first time.”

Hunter-to-Hunter Help Whether new or veteran, Farquhar recommended consulting with fellow hunters and local firearms dealers before heading to the woods.

“If you know somebody that hunts or is a target shooter … talk to them and see if they’ve got suggestions for gun dealers or sporting goods dealers,” he said. “Word-of-mouth works pretty well. And don’t be afraid to call or look up gun shops and call to see what they’ve got. Then maybe be willing to stop at two or three and expand your horizons a little.”

James Orezzoli, owner of Gunners Dream at 60 Main St., Sidney, echoed Farquhar’s recommendations.

“I think the New York State DEC pages are the best,” he said, “and just talking to local gun clubs and getting in on hunter safety courses.”

Though pandemic-induced gaps

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in the supply chain and a generalized bump in gun buying temporarily made firearms and related products harder to find, Farquhar and Orezzoli said, the issue is resolving.

“We’ve been hearing reports of that, particularly with some of the smaller gun and ammo dealers out there,” Farquhar said. “Folks are buying for lots of reasons, (such as) home security related to COVID, and the supply got fairly sparse … and there were some challenges in finding guns and ammo. But if a product is available but not in stock, a lot of these smaller independents will be willing to get it for you.”

“Definitely ammo and firearms themselves are in shortage,” Orezzoli said in early August. “I’m seeing a lot of first-time gun buyers and (people) in a pandemic gun-buying mode. Not only do we have COVID going on, but we’ve got the election coming up, so there are a few driving forces pushing

the gun market more than just hunting season. People are feeling the need for personal safety.

“I think it’s figuring itself out, but it did get kind of volatile,” Orezzoli continued. “First, there were shipping delays and COVID making things weird with supply and demand, then there were less employees in the factories producing these things, so it’s all trickling down.”

For a list of upcoming courses and species-specific hunting seasons, visit dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html. +

Dalton Proskine of the Clay Raiders sets the machine in the trap house.

SHOTGUN SPORTS a Hit with

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he popularity of trapshooting is increasing, with the number of local school teams and youth events on the rise and new participants joining the sport.

Jim Butler, Gilbertsville resident and head coach of the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Clay Raiders, described the premise of the clay-target shotgun sport.

“In a nutshell, it is shooting at a 4-inch clay disk, called a bird, thrown out of a small house, called a trap,” he said. “That clay disk flies at 42 mph in an arch until it hits the ground, about 50 yards from the trap.

The shooter attempts to break that disk with a single shot from a shotgun.”

STORY AND PHOTOS BY ERIK BERGGREN

A high school trap team teaches all the great “ things any sport does, but it allows everybody to

compete equally. That tall basketball star has no advantage over the short guy; the big lineman from the football team is equal to the slim little girl.

— Jim Butler, head coach of the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Clay Raiders

”

Coach Jim Butler talks to a few of his shooters, while team members take their places on the field.

Target Time & Tournaments

Aiming for Inclusivity

The GMU Clay Raiders was the first school-sanctioned team in the central New York area. The team was established in late 2018 and participated in its first spring season in 2019 as part of the New York State High School Clay Target League.

Butler wanted to form the team to offer a sport in which any student can excel. Because of the nature of trapshooting, the physical characteristics of an athlete do not provide advantage.

The league normally competes in a six-week season every spring. Teams partner with a local gun club, where they hold one shoot each week of the season. The scores from individual athletes on each team are submitted to the league and points are awarded to each athlete based on how they compare to others in their conference. Individual points are then added to determine the team standings.

The spring season is followed by a state tournament, held in Cicero, followed by a national tournament in Michigan. There is also a fall league open to all teams that participate in the spring league. The 2020 spring league was cancelled due to the spread of COVID-19, along with the state and national tournaments.

Formation of the Clay Raiders resulted from months of meetings and collaboration between school faculty and gun club members. Butler spearheaded the project, but noted that he could never have made it happen without the assistance of the other team leaders, who volunteered from the school and the club. Operational trap team duties are typically divided among a few people.

“A high school trap team teaches all the great things any sport does, but it allows everybody to compete equally,” he said. “That tall basketball star has no advantage over the short guy; the big lineman from the football team is equal to the slim little girl.”

According to the league’s mission statement, its priorities are “safety, fun and marksmanship – in that order.”

After almost 50 years of experience with firearms, participating in thousands of trapshoots, Butler attributes his “laid-back” demeanor to trap.

“Trapshooting, believe it or not, is a very mental sport,” he said. “Your mind is your toughest competition.”

If an athlete gets frustrated or flustered after missing a target, Butler noted, they will only continue to miss. Athletes must be able to let a mistake go and move on to the next target.

After the Clay Raiders received hearty community support and positive feedback during the team’s inaugural season, teams from the Laurens, Richfield Springs, Unadilla Valley and Worcester school districts were approved by their school boards. These teams were all expecting to participate this year. Some will still participate in the fall league, which has opened to all teams, in lieu of a qualifying spring season.

TRAPSHOOTING In a nutshell, “ it is shooting at a

4-inch clay disk, called a bird, thrown out of a small house, called a trap. That clay disk flies at 42 mph in an arch until it hits the ground, about 50 yards from the trap. The shooter attempts to break that disk with a single shot from a shotgun.

”

— Jim Butler, head coach of the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Clay Raiders

Airyana Wright, of the GilbertsvilleMount Upton Clay Raiders, sights her clay pigeon in this 2019 photo.

The GMU Clay Raiders were visited by Sen. Jim Seward and Assemblyman Clifford Crouch during a competition night last year.

A Sport for the Ages Butler said his goal as coach is to teach the upcoming generation a sport they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. While a student athlete in basketball, soccer, baseball or football may age out of competing in those sports, he noted, a trapshooter can compete successfully long into retirement.

Rather than enter the Clay Raiders into the fall league, the Gilbertsville Rod and Gun Club put together a local competition for this fall.

This under-18 tournament/league will run every Thursday in September, with participants shooting 25 targets per night. Trophies will be awarded to the top four shooters. Similar events have been a mainstay for many local clubs, such as the Milford Fish and Game Club’s annual youth shoot weekend, held Aug. 1 and 2.

Butler said anyone interested in learning more about trapshooting or participating should begin by finding a club and noted that he especially enjoys helping newcomers get into the sport.

Shelby Roe, of Milford, takes aim for her bird during Milford’s youth shoot weekend.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

“Most clubs welcome new people,” he said. “If club members aren’t willing to help a new shooter, find a different club. Most important, have fun!”

To learn more about the New York State High School Clay Target League, visit nyclaytarget.com. +

Athletes participate in this year’s youth shoot at the Milford Fish and Game Club.

Interest in

Heightens Acros Mountain Club T

Bucolic views meet hikers at the summit of Vroman’s Nose, a 1.7mile hike beginning at 264 Mill Valley Road, Middleburgh.

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mid the pandemic caused by the spread of the novel coronavirus, many are choosing to take a hike.

Wendell George, executive director of the Wendell Catskill George,Mountain executive director Club, said of the use Catskill of hikingMountrails maintained tain Club, said by the use club of hiking is on trails the rise. maintained by the club is on “The the rise. increase is tremendous,” George said. “The trails we have “The builtincrease are seeing is tremendous,” almost double; George it’s a 96% said. “The increase trails from we last year have builtatare theseeing same time, almostand double; that’s it’s pretty a 96% amazing. increase Wefrom had a 33%year last overall at the increase same time, … from and2018 that’stopretty 2019,amazing. but we’reWe seeing had a that 96% 33% overall increase increase from … last fromyear 2018 to this to 2019, year, but so there’s we’re aseeing lot of interest that 96% inincrease hiking. from last year to this year, so there’s a lot of interest in hiking.if that’s a permanent situation, or if it’s en“I don’t know tirely “I don’t due to know COVID,” if that’she a permanent continued, situation, “but it is growing or if it’s enand that was tirely dueno todoubt COVID,” impacted he continued,

by COVID.” “but it is growing and that was no doubt impacted

by COVID.” Adam Bosch, public relations director with the New York

ss Catskill Trails

State Adam Department Bosch, public for Environmental relations director Protection, with the and NewGeorge York said trail State Department users represent for Environmental a mix.

Protection, and George said trail users represent mix. “You’re getting local residents “It’s everybody,” Boscha said. using “It’sthem everybody,” for exercise, Boschyou’re said. getting “You’re visitors getting from local the residents Northeast, using themwe’re for exercise, seeing ayou’re lot of getting travelersvisitors from afrom three-hour the radius coming Northeast, we’reand seeing including a lot of(the travelers trails) from as part a three-hour of their trip and we’re radius coming seeingand a lot including of folks (the fromtrails) Europe. as part It’s aofpretty their good trip cross-section and we’re seeing whoa are lot of finding folks these from Europe. trails andIt’s using a pretty them, good and that’s great.” who are finding these trails and using them, and cross-section that’s great.”say the mix on our trails is about the same as “I would always,” “I would George say the said. mix“It’s onmore our trails thanis50% about from theoutside same asthe region. When always,” George COVID said. “It’s came, more just than about 50% every fromsecond outside home the became When region. a first home COVID forcame, people, just so about I’m sure every thatsecond accounts home for an awfulalot became firstofhome the increase for people, we saw so I’m backsure in April that accounts and May.” for an awful lot of the increase we saw back in April and May.”

The Path to Partnership The Path to Partnership Catskill Mountain Club, a nonprofit organization founded in Catskill 2004, began Mountain partnering Club,with a nonprofit the DEPorganization in 2012 to build founded and preserve in 2004, trails beganonpartnering DEP-owned withland the throughout DEP in 2012 thetoCatskills. build and preserve trails on DEP-owned land throughout the Catskills.

BY ALLISON COLLINS

It’s everybody. You’re getting “local residents using them for

exercise, you’re getting visitors from the Northeast, we’re seeing a lot of travelers from a three-hour radius coming and including (the trails) as part of their trip and we’re seeing a lot of folks from Europe. It’s a pretty good cross-section who are finding these trails and using them, and that’s great.

”

— Adam Bosch, public relations director with the New York State Department for Environmental Protection

Schoharie County fields spread out beneath Vroman’s Nose in Middleburgh.

PHOTOS BY ALLISON COLLINS

Today, George noted, its roughly 250 members maintain 20plus miles of trails in the Catskill Park and surrounding Catskill region.

Since collaborating with the DEP, George noted, club members have built six trails and are at work on a seventh, Arkville-area trail.

Much of that land, Bosch said, piqued the interest of peak-seekers.

On the Horizon

“As part of our program to protect water … we acquired a number of lands in the watershed,” Bosch said. “Those lands tend to be along steep slopes or include water sources of some kind, and a lot of them have old logging roads, access roads or other features that lend themselves to being potentially good for hiking.

“In the mid-2000s, we began opening up more property … for recreation, (such as) hiking, hunting, fishing, trapping and snowshoeing,” he continued. “So, the properties were open and if you wanted to go hike, you could, but then we started working with different groups that said, ‘Hey, you own these pieces of property that would make really good hiking trails’ and … we began to work more with Catskill Mountain Club to look at properties we owned that had these features and actually create marked hiking trails.”

Such collaboration, Bosch said, has yielded gains on and off the trails.

“Our No. 1 mission is to operate and maintain the water supply … but it’s also to enhance local economies,” he said.

“We’ve increased the number of places people can visit and the way people can appreciate and see that water. These partnerships have been a way to open up these lands to ‘Joe and Jane visitors’ and neighbors who live nearby, and that’s been really great. The trails tend to be in the 2- to 3-mile range, so you’re in and out in a couple of hours and it’s a nice half-a-day hike.”

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While the CMC has suspended all in-person events because of the pandemic, George said, the group is launching a patch-collecting program for hiking enthusiasts.

“We will not have in-person, organized events … but we will have self-guided tours and we’ll have virtual events,” he said.

“One of those self-guided things will be for hikers to hike the CMC trails to get their patch. We’ve considered (the program) for the last couple of years, but just wanted to get a few more of the trails opened before we went live with it.

“With the opening of our sixth trail and the seventh on the horizon,” George continued, “we’re going to award a certificate to people who hike all the trails that the Catskill Mountain Club has built. We’ve got the patches in (and) the program will start (this September).”

Though the CMC-specific patch program is new, George noted, the concept has been gaining ground for years.

“Hiking for patches is a pretty popular thing to do,” he said. “If you hike all of the high peaks in the Catskills, you can become a member of the ‘3,500 Club,’ and we have a program called the ‘Catskills All Trails Challenge,’ (which is) to hike the 347 miles of DEC-maintained trails in the Catskill Park. That program is six years old and there’s an awful lot of interest in that.”

For more information, visit catskillmountainclub.org or find “Catskill Mountain Club” on Facebook.

Hit the Trails The Shavertown Trail, the CMC’s inaugural build on DEPowned lands in Andes, opened in 2012. Though recently closed for logging concerns, CMC Executive Director Wendell George noted, the Shavertown Trail reopened on July 3.

According to catskillmountainclub.org, the 2-mile route “offers families and novice hikers … a spectacular view after only one moderately strenuous mile” and features a “lovely pond” and Pepacton Reservoir vistas.

While trail work has slowed because of the pandemic, George noted, members are chipping away at a new trail on the Shavertown parcel.

“We hope to be done by the end of the month,” George said in early August, “and that will go to a big overlook of the Tremperskill Valley, that’s the destination of that trail.”

The Ashokan Quarry Trail, opened in June, represents the CMC’s latest finished project.

Situated on the DEP’s Acorn Hill parcel, the Ashokan Quarry Trail is one of the group’s most user-friendly hikes, George and Adam Bosch, public relations director with the New York State Department for Environmental Protection, said.

“It’s by the side of the quarry, where rock was taken to help build the dam,” George said. “There’s only 200 feet of elevation gain over the entire 2-mile walk, so it’s really very gentle and a perfect place for families. It gets a lot of use.”

“It’s one of the first (CMC) trails that’s really good for families,” Bosch echoed. “The Ashokan trail is very gentle and not steep at all and within the first three-quarters of a mile, you get to this great rock ledge with a sweeping view of the peaks.”

The CMC website describes the Ashokan trail as a “lollipop route offering close-up views of the Ashokan high point and mountains north and west, including the Burroughs Range, North Dome and Tremper Mountain.” The trail, the site notes, “passes by several artifacts from the reservoir’s construction phase, including a rail-car loading zone and the remnants of machinery used to load stone.”

Other CMC successes include the Palmer Hill Trail and the Bramley Mountain Trail.

The first, catskillmountainclub.org notes, offers “spectacular views for most of its 3.7-mile length,” while crossing meadows, Bryant’s Brook, historic stone walls and farmhouse foundations. The Palmer Hill Trail trailhead is two miles from Andes and nine from Margaretville, with parking available at the Finkle Road scenic overlook.

A sign marks the Green Loop Trail on Vroman’s Nose in Middleburgh, one of many maintained by the Catskill Mountain Club.

The approximately 4-mile Bramley Mountain Trail, on DEP property in the towns of Delhi and Bovina, takes hikers to a 2,817-foot summit with views of the mountain’s fire tower, an abandoned bluestone quarry, caves and peaks of the western Pepacton range. The trailhead is on Glen Bernie Road in Delhi.

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Sunlight filters through the tree cover on the Green Loop Trail of Vroman’s Nose in Middleburgh in early August.

George said club restoration of the fire tower, built in 1950 but closed in 1970, was approved of by the town and city boards of Delhi in July 2019. Find “Bramley Mountain Fire Tower” on Facebook for more information on that project and its timeline.

The Bramley Mountain Trail, Bosch said, is noteworthy for its height and vantage points.

“Not only do many of these trails offer great views, espe-

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cially in Delaware County, the trails offer great views where it previously wasn’t able to get a great view,” he said. “Bramley Mountain is (one of ) the highest peaks that far west, and there wasn’t an easy way to get to the top, even though it has a really beautiful view from the top. We were able to get that opened, so people could get to that view and really enjoy some time outside.”

For a complete list of CMC trails, visit catskillmountainclub. org. +

Nineteenth-century Chestnut Street was Home to

‘Great Wall of China’

O

neonta has a “Chinese Wall.” While few may remember it, it is still fun to see the expressions of newcomers, friends and relatives when I tell them about the wall.

Today, the area on Chestnut Street, just west of West Street, is sealed off and fenced, decorated by green space and benches, along with a sidewalk. Before the 20th century, this street was much narrower.

Make Way for the Wall The area near a shoe repair shop and Clinton Street had a very narrow path along the hillside in the 1830s. The Charlotte Turnpike sought to extend to West Oneonta, and the contemporary Chestnut Street provided the most direct route. It was decided the road would follow this narrow path.

Somehow, the road held out for 50 years along The masonry behind the wall’s construction exthat very narrow path. In 1888, the residents of the plains why it was dubbed the Chinese Wall, nickFourth Ward aired their grievances to the village named after the Great Wall of Chitrustees about the poor condition na. The wall dates to 1834, when the of the thoroughfare. There were no Charlotte Turnpike was built through sidewalks. After many a heavy rain, the village. What we know as the area dirt and debris covered the path, near Chestnut and West streets was eroding the hillside. It was decided very different then. Chestnut Street that it would be widened. To do this westbound turned left near the site required a very large retaining wall. of today’s Walgreen’s, went down the In August 1955, Charles H. hill to the flats and followed the path Bowdish, then 91, remembered of the railroad tracks, joining Rivthe wall’s construction, beginning er Street near the present dead end in 1888.

Bowdish recalled for The of River Street. An iron bridge was Oneonta Star how people laughed at there until 1980, commonly called it and called it “John Haggerty’s Folthe lower viaduct, and at one time

BY MARK ly,” after the contractor. made a direct path from River to SIMONSON Oneida Street.

“When he started making the fill

The Old Walls Talk

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The masonry behind the wall’s construction explains why it was dubbed the Chinese Wall, nicknamed after the Great Wall of China.

HUNTINGTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY ARCHIVES

Top: An eastward view along Chestnut Street in the early 20th century shows Oneonta’s Chinese Wall.

The 700-foot-long stone structure took two years to build, costing $13,000. Below: The same area is seen in early August. The Chinese Wall now lies beneath the road, sidewalk and green space.

MARK SIMONSON

in that low part of Chestnut Street, people said it wouldn’t stand through the winter,” Bowdish said. “There was quite a lot of objection stirred up, because people thought it was costing too much.”

The wall took two years to build, costing $13,000, a considerable sum for the times.

Walled Off Construction of the wall began promptly, but progress was slow. There was difficulty obtaining the stone, as more than 200,000 cubic feet of material was needed. There were few men available to work, as Main Street was simultaneously being paved

with wooden blocks. Chestnut Street was also being extended to Market Street.

When the job was completed, the result was a 700-foot-long buttress, 30 feet high and between seven and 10 feet thick. Renovations performed in 1956 proved the wall was in no danger of collapse.

However, by 1979, the wall was in trouble and, according to a Daily Star report from that May, “Pushed by water and ice, the wall is slowly pushing outwards, while heavily traveled Chestnut Street is beginning to sag in places.” It was repaired and widened in the early 1980s, and the green space was added, concealing the old structure.

Renovations, Raids and Railyards Below the wall is a swamp. Bowdish, a village trustee in the early 20th century, recalled how a fellow trustee, Nathan Briggs, envisioned filling that swamp in so that people could build houses on it.

The village purchased the swamp for $300. Residents began dumping ashes (from coal and wood stoves), among other things, to try to fill it in. When garbage was deposited, attracting rats, neighbors complained and the project ceased, never to be resumed.

At the far western end of the wall, there used to be a road called the “dugway,” traveling through the

City historian Mark Simonson grew up in Oneonta, but like many, left to explore opportunities elsewhere. He returned in 1997.

Before returning, Simonson worked in public relations, marketing and broadcast journalism. He worked locally in Norwich and the greater Binghamton area, and for a short time in Boston.

woods to a neighborhood near the railroad tracks.

There were four streets in this area – Ash, Williams, North and Lake – with Lake ending at Fonda Avenue. About 30 families lived there, separated from the railroad tracks by a high board fence. This was not a desirable neighborhood. The area was home to several “disorderly houses,” which were reportedly raided repeatedly in the late 1800s.

The Delaware and Hudson Railroad bought the land in 1913. These houses were moved to neighborhoods on the River Street side of the railroad tracks.

The railroad yards were expanding, as were the number of jobs available in the still-young city. +

Simonson was appointed Oneonta City Historian in 1998. Since then, he has been doing freelance research and writing for a twice-weekly column in The Daily Star. Additionally, Simonson has published books about Oneonta and local history in a five-county region.

Through his years of research, Simonson has come across many interesting stories about old buildings in the upstate region. He will share those stories in this and upcoming editions of Upstate Life.

Look for the next issue of Upstate Life Magazine publishing in October 2020

COLUMN & PHOTOS BY ALLISON COLLINS

Cookin’ WITH

DIY

Beef Jerky

Collins

I

’m a big fan of finding user-friendly ways to make typically storebought items from scratch: mayonnaise, salad dressings, ketchup and so on. Beef jerky fits into that category and is surprisingly easy, and affordable, to make at home.

Store-bought jerky tends to be expensive, especially when you consider the per-pound price, and full of salt and preservatives. If you’ve got a dehydrator, great; but jerky can be made easily in the oven, too. I did mine in the oven.

1

According to several online sources, including jerky.com (who knew?), the term jerky is a derivative of the Quechuan word “ch’arki,” which translates to “dried meat.” Though some believe jerky began with Native Americans drying buffalo meat, most attribute its origin to the Incan Quechua people in the 1500s.

“The discovery of jerky allowed humans to store foods for long periods of time and have an easily carried, dense source of nutrition to take with them on journeys,” the site notes. “Jerky is flavorful and compact and almost any meat can be made into jerky.”

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And while jerky may be the dehydrated darling of recent low-fat, gluten-free, low-carb and protein-heavy diet trends, it has long been a favorite of explorers and adventurers. Homemade jerky makes a great, protein-packed on-the-go snacking option, whether you’re trekking uphill, stuck in a treestand, camping or just headed out for the day.

1. Try to keep strips consistent in size and slice against the grain of whatever lean cut used. 2. Finished jerky should be dark, chewy and tender. 3. Experiment with different spice blends. 4. I like to use a lidded glass jar for marinating the jerky because I know I can seal it tightly pop it in the fridge without a mess, but any large container will work. If you use sealed plastic bags, be sure to double up and store upright in the fridge. 5. After allowing the jerky to marinate, lay strips of meat out on a drying rack to allow air to hit all sides of the meat.

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DIY BEEF JERKY Recipe: 2 lb. meat of choice, see notes 2/3 c. soy sauce (or tamari, to keep it gluten-free) 2/3 c. Worcestershire sauce 2/3 c. apple cider vinegar ¼ c. maple syrup or brown sugar 1 tbsp. kosher salt 2 tsp. peppercorns or ground pepper 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 tsp. onion powder ½ tsp. chipotle chili powder

Combine all spices and soy sauce, Worcestershire and vinegar in a large lidded jar or container. Mix thoroughly.

After cooking and cooling, jerky is ready to join you on the trails, beach, campgrounds or mountainside.

Slice meat against the grain, creating roughly ¼-inch slices.

TIPS

Place sliced meat in the liquid mixture, cover and refrigerate for 24 to 48 hours.

 Slice meat against the grain when it’s still slightly frozen, to make cutting easier.  Jerky isn’t picky and several leaner cuts of beef make great jerky. I used flank steak, but sirloin cuts, eye of round, top or bottom round and skirt steak are all great options. You can even make jerky with ground beef. And don’t limit yourself to beef; this method can be applied to turkey, venison, goose and other meats.  Buy desired cuts of meat when they’re on sale and freeze for later use as jerky. Keep in mind that finished jerky will be roughly 1/3 of its starting weight.  Experiment with flavor and seasonings; Teriyaki, liquid smoke, root beer, cayenne pepper and brown sugar are all fun mix-in options.

Remove meat strips from liquid and place over a drying rack or on paper towels. Pat dry. Discard excess liquid.

Preheat oven to 175.

Place drying rack, with meat on it, on a lined cookie sheet (or two, depending on space) and cook meat for 3 to 3.5 hours.

Remove meat and allow to cool.

Jerky should be chewy and dark.

Store finished jerky in an airtight container. +

A HIKE AT Overlook Mountain Geology Day Trip

BY ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS

T

here’s plenty of outdoors activity in the Catskills, especially in the autumn, but we consider hiking top of the list. One of our favorites is the climb up Overlook Mountain Trail.

Overlook Mountain overlooks the town of Woodstock.

It has one of the finest trails in all the Catskills. Formerly a carriage road, it makes for a steep but relatively easy 1,500foot ascent. And when hikers get to the top, they are rewarded with a fine view and some surprising geology.

Parking, along with the trailhead, can be found near the top of Meads Mountain Road in Woodstock. We recommend arriving early on a weekday to avoid the rush.

Geology on Display The trail climbs through occasional sandstone ledges.

Hikers are not only traveling across the land, but also through time. Each sandstone represents an old river deposit in what is called the Catskill Delta. This landscape, during the Devonian time period roughly 385 million years ago, was on the surface of a great complex of river deltas, each one similar to today’s Mississippi Delta in Louisiana.

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As you travel the trail, imagine how much time it took for all this delta sediment to be deposited. Geologists have pondered this for centuries. It’s a long climb, but the top of the trail is marked by the ruins of the Overlook Mountain House Hotel.

Built just before the Great Depression, the hotel was never occupied. Today, it is just a ruin, but a very interesting one and it is fun to do a little exploring there.

Our main goal, however, is the peak of the mountain, occupied by a grand old fire tower. The tower was abandoned decades ago, but recently restored. Its staircase is an easy climb and the view is wonderful. Many of our eastern Catskill Mountains can be seen from the tower top.

But, below the tower is that surprising geology we mentioned.

Look closely at the accompanying photo. Do you see the bedrock in the foreground? It has an almost polished look to it. It was, in fact, polished. That occurred perhaps 25,000 years ago, when a glacier passed across Overlook Mountain.

Ice Age Imagery If you do this hike, wander around slowly and look this surface over carefully. There are long straight scratches on this surface.

Their north-to-south lineations betray their glacial origins. Such markings speak of cobbles and boulders being dragged across this surface by the moving ice. These scratches are called glacial striations. They are common on bedrock exposures throughout the Catskills and are Ice Age features you and your family should watch for.

All of this begs the question: How much ice was here back then? Our best guess is that there were a full 800 feet of glaciers rising above this mountaintop at the height of the Ice Age. Stand there, at the top of Overlook, and look 800 feet into the air above. That was once all ice!

Imagine ice rising several thousand feet above Overlook Mountain and, spread out all around and below, the vastness of a great ice sheet. This is the sort of view that, today, requires a trip to Antarctica. It rearranges your sense of reality, doesn’t it? +

Fire Tower

PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALLTRAILS.COM

Contact the authors at randjtitus@ prodigy.net, find “The Catskill Geologist” on Facebook or visit thecatskillgelogist.com.

Overlook Mountain House Hotel

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