After you've read the early 1960's or 1967 trail guides, you might
find it interesting to see some of the changes found in this guide from the 1980's. Some
of the earlier landmarks are missing, and there are some new trails, like the Orange
Trail. As with the early 1960's guide, I've mentioned some of the things that have changed
since this guide was printed. Happy virtual hiking (it's a lot easier than my recent
trip around the Red Trail was!)
ONTEORA SCOUT RESERVATION
HIKING SHELTER |
NASSAU COUNTY COUNCIL
SCOUTING/USA |
WHITE TRAIL
BEGINS: Orchard Lake Dam
ENDS: Alder Lake Trail to Health Lodge
POINTS OF INTEREST: Orchard Lake Dam, Old Camp Entrance, Lake Uncas, many rock
formations, Rattle Hill, side hike to caves, logging roads, Alder Lake Trail, East
Delaware Aqueduct, loading skid, old logger’s pump, side hike to Wildcat Falls,
Health Lodge
Intersections of other trails can shorten hike and take you back to camp: Orange Trail
- - - new logging road, Blue Trail - - - Rattle Hill
ORCHARD LAKE DAM - The trail starts at the Orchard Lake Dam. This is a crucial
area to the maintenance of the camp and must be treated with respect. The sheer drop from
the dam as well as the machinery makes it a dangerous and interesting place. The old stone
dam and its machinery controls the level of water in the lake and is regulated by the
maintenance staff to insure adequate water for swimming and boating, as well as the
draining off of top water from time to time to keep the lake clean. This becomes quite
difficult in late summer due to little rain, and must be carefully controlled.
INTO THE WOODS - Continue on the old camp entrance road for ½ mile until you
almost intersect Onteora Road. Here the trail goes off to the right and up through
the woods.
LAKE UNCAS - In about ½ mile you will be in sight of the road to Camp Acadia.
You do not cross the road, instead you go back into the woods. Soon the trail passes the
general area of Lake Uncas on the left. This is a private lake and the site of a Catholic
camp. You are on the border of Onteora property so do not trespass!
ROCKY LEDGES - The trail continues up Rattle Hill through a series of rock cliffs
and ledges.
LOGGING ROAD - You will cross a logging road that was made in the winter of
1977-78. You now intersect the Orange Trail. To the right heads back to Covey Hiking
Shelter.
HILL - It then emerges at the top of Rattle Hill (elevation 2400 feet) with a
leanto In front of you. This is where the Orange Trail branches out to the caves ahead of
you and the intersection of the Blue Trail. Here the White Trail turns left on the Old
Hunters Road with the Blue Trail. It follows the road 1/8 mile down Rattle Hill and turns
right Into the woods towards our other outpost leanto.
1998 update: All that's left of the leanto is a small pile of broken
boards and pieces of partially melted asphalt shingles. It evidently collapsed or was
destroyed in a fire.
NEW LEANTO - The trail passes this leanto on the right and continues off through
the woods to an old logging road. Around this general area you are actually going over the
East Delaware Aqueduct.
LOGGING ROAD - Here the trail turns left until it joins a major logging road. It
turns right on this road and follows it in a wide arc until it joins the Alder Lake Trail.
Along the logging road you can see Tom Quick’s Quarry, many deer tracks and a number
of interesting views.
ALDER LAKE TRAIL - The White Trail ends at the Alder Lake Trail and follows it
back to camp. Soon there will no longer be White Trail markers, only the Alder Lake Trail
markers (2/3 white on top of 1/3 red).
STEEP DECLINE - You will notice that the trail becomes quite rocky. You will
have a steep decline from 2800 to 2400 feet. You will be going slightly downhill and on
level ground for some distance. Around this area you are actually going over the East
Delaware Aqueduct for a second time. The trail goes uphill at a slight incline for a short
while and then down again for a short while.
LOADING SKID - Then the trail widens into what was once an old logging road. On
the left you will see the remains of what once was a very old logging skid. It is very
easy to pass this unless you are looking carefully for it. The logs were rolled up to one
end and a truck pulled to the high end - the log was rolled onto the truck. At this point
continue on the old logging road for a short distance and the road narrows again through
the woods on level ground.
OLD LOGGERS PUMP - When you come to an Old Logger’s pump on the right hand
side you approach another dirt logging road and the intersection of the Yellow Trail. The
Alder Lake Trail continues across the road and heads straight ahead. At this point
remember to only follow the Alder Lake Trail markers. You will now see both Alder Lake and
Yellow Trail markers. The Alder Lake markers will stay with the Yellow markers for about
1/10 of a mile. Then you will see only Yellow markers. Continue down the hill on the
Yellow Trail. You will now follow these yellow markers all the way back to camp.
HEALTH LODGE - About 1/4 of a mile from the logger’s pump downhill you will
find the intersection of the Red Trail. Make a left turn and then, after a short distance,
another left turn right to the Health Lodge.
ORANGE TRAIL (CAVE HIKE)
BRING THE FOLLOWING WITH YOU: Flashlights, long pants and thick rope.
PLEASE NOTE: Alternate Trails to Rattle Hill — Blue Trail and White trail.
BEGINS: Covey Hiking Shelter
ENDS: Larger Cave
POINTS OF INTEREST: Covey Shelter, logging road, White Trail, Rattle Hill, intersection
of Blue trail, rock formations, smaller caves, larger cave.
BEGINS - from the field across from Covey Shelter take the logging road at the
far left corner uphill, This logging road was built in the winter of 1977-78. At the
beginning you will detour the logging road for a while through the woods because of the
danger of the nearby Rifle Range. Continuing up the logging road for about 3/5 of a
mile you will come to the intersection of the White Trail. Here the Orange Trail turns
right off into the woods with the White Trail until it hits Rattle Hill.
RATTLE HILL - It then emerges at the top of Rattle Hill (elevation 2400 feet)
with a leanto in front of you. This is where the White trail branches off to the left and
is the intersection of the Blue Trail. The Orange Trail continues straight ahead to the
caves. After a while you will see a large rock formation on your left.
THE TOP OF THE CLIFF - The trail turns left and you climb to the top of the
cliff. Soon you will see the first smaller cave.
SMALL CAVES - All other small caves you must find by yourself. This is all part
of the adventure of finding caves. Most small caves are between the top and the bottom of
the rock hill as you continue on the trail.
ON TOP OF HILL - Continue on trail along the top of the cliff with the small
cave on your right. Finally the cliff will disappear on your right.
LOGGING ROAD - Soon you will come to an old logging road. Make a right and
follow the road for a very short distance. Then turn left and head up onto another rock
hill.
LARGER CAVE - After climbing up, you will come to the larger cave. The Orange
Trail ends at the cave. The entrance is overhanging a steep ledge, so be extremely
careful, This is where you should use your rope. You will probably not believe the
entrance to the cave. It is a very thin decline which you have to very carefully squeeze
through for a short distance. On the bottom turn left and you will enter the cave (a long
hallway type cave). There parts where can actually stand. About 30 people can fit in the
cave at one time. (Remember: bring your flashlight!) After carefully getting out of the
cave, head back to camp along the Orange Trail the same way you came back towards Rattle
Hill and finally camp.
NOTE: This hike requires adult/camp staff leadership.
BLUE
TRAIL
BEGINS: Craft Lodge (Council House) or Sitting Bull Campsite
ENDS: Beaverkill or Lew Beach
PLEASE NOTE: Alternate trails to Rattle Hill - Orange Trail and White Trail
POINTS OF INTEREST: Craft Lodge, Sitting Bull Campsite, Old Hunter Road, side hike to
caves, intersection of white trail, Tom Quick’s Pond, Beaverkill Road, Lew Beach,
covered bridge, Beaverkill State Campsite,
The Blue Trail can be taken to Beaverkill or Lew Beach. The trail divides at Beaverkill
Road making a left to Beaverkill and a right to Lew Beach.
BEGINS - from the Council House past Sitting Bull Campsite the trail goes up
Rattle Hill on Old Hunter Road.
RATTLE HILL - At the top of Rattle Hill (elevation 2400 feet) there is a leanto
off to the right. This is the intersection of the Orange trail to the caves and the
White Trail.
TOM QUICK’ S POND - Continue straight ahead on Old Hunter’s Road for
about 1 mile from the top of Rattle Hill. You will see Torn Quick's Pond on your
left. This was constructed by Tom Quick, the man who logged most of the country around
here and has been of great assistance in originally blazing many of our trails. You are
still on camp property. Just be careful of the dam because it is broken.
2001 update: There is a dispute over the use of the trail past
this point. Until the owner of the surrounding land and the State work it
out, hikers are advised to use the new State trail towards Frick Pond and
then on to Alder Lake.
BEAVERKILL ROAD - Further down Old Hunter Road it comes out on a paved road
which runs left to Beaverkill Campsite, and right to Lew Beach.
ARTESIAN WELL - At the end of Old Hunter Road, go left on Beaverkill Road. If
you follow the Beaverkill Road for about 100 yards, then turn right through the woods, you
will come out in a large meadow. In this meadow you will see a large pipe about 6 feet high.
This is an artesian well and the water is good for drinking.
1998 update: The once well defined meadow is now tough to spot.
A former rock quarry, the site is full of weed-covered rocks. There was no sight of the
artesian well.
COVERED BRIDGE - Finally, Beaverkill Road forks at a sign indicating Beaverkill
State Park, with Beaverkill Road going to the left and the campground road going to the
right. Continue down road for about 1/4 of a mile over covered bridge to campsite.
YELLOW
TRAIL
BEGINS: Health Lodge
ENDS: Onteora Scout Reservation Parking Lot
POINTS OF INTEREST: Health Lodge, side hike to Devils Gorge and Wildcat Falls,
Logger’s Pump, Logging Road, rock formations, East Delaware Aqueduct, Jeep Trail,
streams, Old Loggers’ Camp, Corduroy Road, Frick Pond, Cub Scout Camp of Beech
Mountain Scout Camp (Hudson-Delaware Council), Mongaup Pond State Park side hike, Mongaup
Creek Waterfalls side hike, Catskill State Fish Hatchery, Old Hunter Road, Old Cemetery,
OSR Parking Lot.
BEGINS - From the back of the Health Lodge, you follow the major trail off to
the left. Continue down the trail (marked with yellow and red markers) just for a few
yards and then you go off into the woods on the right. You will again see markers on trees
indicating that this is both the Yellow and Red Trails. From here on be careful to follow
only the yellow markers. The trail forks ahead, the Yellow going to the right and the Red
continuing straight ahead. (side hike to Wildcat Falls) Take the Red Trail.
UP THE HILL - Continue straight up the mountain. About 1/5 of a mile up
the mountain the Alder Lake Trail markers will begin (2/3 white on top with 1/3 red on
bottom). Ignore the Alder Lake markers, only follow the Yellow Trail. Soon you will come
to a dirt logging road. Be careful to follow only the Yellow Trail markers because the
Alder Lake Trail splits here. At this point you can see an old loggers pump. Make a right
onto the dirt logging road.
LOGGING ROADS - Continue up the Logging Road at a very slight incline and then
on level ground for about 1/5 of a mile. Here the Logging Road splits. Take the left fork
and turn left onto a not-as-wide logging road. The road is very rocky on basically level
ground. Soon the road will become less rocky and get even much thinner with ferns on both
sides. Continue up a very slight incline over a few logs and watch out for a tricky turn
off to the right into the woods.
ROCKY LEDGES - After turning to the right from the logging road, you go off into
the woods uphill and after a short while you will approach a large rock outcrop. The trail
continues up the rocks. This is a famous rest stop for many troops. Continuing up the
mountain you are entering an area with many very large rocks and are almost two miles out
of central camp. This stretch of the woods is very unusual because when a strong wind
blows through the trees and rocks, the grating of trees together creates weird noises and
gives rise to many legends about a haunted forest.
THICK FOREST - You will head through a very thick forest making many circling
turns. You will be on almost level ground at a slight incline. You may still hear the
weird noises if it is windy out.
DOWNHILL - Very soon you will be on top of the mountain and will start heading
downhill. Here the forest has thinned out somewhat. Continuing down the mountain, at times
getting slightly steep, there will be a tricky turn off to the left.
SMALL INCLINE - Following the trail bearing to the left you come upon a small
incline, but very shortly the trail will start heading down again making many turns
through the woods. Be very careful that at all times you are following Yellow Trail
markers. About this time you have left Onteora Scout Reservation and entered Beech
Mountain Scout Camp property. Soon you will come to another logging road.
 |
1969: The waterfront
at Beech Mountain looked very much like the Onteora docks. |
|
|
1998 update: Sadly, Beech
Mountain Scout Camp is no longer with us, having closed several years ago. The site is now
a New York State public campground and hiking area. |
JEEP TRAIL - The trail comes out of the woods on another logging
road, turns left, follows the road for a while and then bears right onto a jeep trail. You
have actually just walked over the East Delaware Aqueduct. Continue on this road for a
short distance downhill being very careful to notice double markers signaling the Yellow
Trail cutting off into the woods on the right. The jeep trail continues to Hodge Pond
(Beech Mountain Scout Camp).
DRY DEEP STREAM BED - After turning off into the woods on the right (almost
making a complete U-turn), you head slightly down hill and approach a very deep dry
stream bed. Make a left and then bear right within the stream bed.
OLD LOGGER’S EQUIPMENT - Very soon the trail heads into the woods again
crossing dry streams and other logger’s roads. You will notice an old logger’s
stove and other such equipment. After crossing one stream which usually has slow moving
water, the trail bends all the way to the left and then along the stream.
LOGGING CAMP AND CORDUROY ROAD - You then come upon a Corduroy Road. You are now
in the general area of an old logging camp with remains of buildings and other equipment.
Turn right onto the Corduroy Road. This old road was built over a hundred years ago to
haul the logs through the swampy lands. There are many old log planks left that form the
shape of railroad tracks. Continue on the road mile until you see Frick Pond on your left.
SMALL MEADOW - You enter a very small meadow. Face towards the pond and then the
trail heads off to the right thru thick blueberry bushes along the side of the pond to the
front of Frick Pond at the beaver dam.
BEECH MOUNTAIN ENTRANCE - From the trail make a right at the beaver dam
and small water tank. Head up the camp road away from the pond of a mile to the camp
entrance, On the right along the road is a tombstone where two children were buried in
1933.
DEBRUCE ROAD - Make a tight at the camp entrance onto DeBruce Road. Continue
down the road towards the Fish Hatchery. Eight hundred feet from the camp entrance you go
over the East Delaware Aqueduct for the second time.
MONGAUP POND PUBLIC CAMPSITE (SIDE HIKE) - Thirteen hundred feet from the camp
entrance you will come to a 4-way intersection with the road to Mongaup Pond on your left.
This leads to Mongaup Pond (1.5 miles), The swimming area is just past the entrance where
there is also drinking water and rest rooms. Also many troops eat lunch here.
MONGAUP CREEK WATERFALLS (SIDE HIKE) - Also at this 4-way intersection of the
Mongaup Park Road and DeBruce Road is a dirt road straight in front of you which leads to
the waterfalls. Follow it over the bridge and then follow the stream to the right
downstream to the waterfalls. These are not only interesting but many troops use them for
showers or eat lunch at the falls.
CONTINUATION OF YELLOW TRAIL - At this same intersection, going down the road
from Beech Mountain Scout camp, make a right and continue downhill for 4/5 mile to the
fish Hatchery.
NEW YORK STATE CATSKILL FISH HATCHERY -The large building on the left is the New
York State Fish Hatchery. The entrance is just past the building. Here 1/2 million trout
are raised under controlled conditions to stock the rivers and streams of the Catskills.
Scouts are asked to be, at all times, good Scouts and not disturb or touch the fish or any
equipment as this would upset their controlled breeding process. The Scouts could also
feed the fish for 10 cents. An artesian well is used to pump the water into the Hatchery.
OLD HUNTER ROAD - Two hundred feet south of the Fish Hatchery on DeBruce Road is
Old Hunter Road; turn right and continue up the mountain. This part of the trail is part
of the Old Hunter Road which was built in 1815 by John Hunter and opened the area to
settlement.
OLD CEMETERY - Proceeding 3/10 mile up the steep climb there appears on the left
an old cemetery. The oldest stone is dated 1885. It is interesting to note the epitaphs
carved on some of the older stones.
FROG HOLLOW ROAD AND GUN CLUB LODGE - On the left will be the hunting lodge for
the Frog Hollow Road and Gun Club.
DOWNHILL - The Old Hunter Road proceeds downhill 2 and 3/10 miles from the Fish
Hatchery, and continues downhill all the way to Onteora.
INTO THE WOODS - Half mile from the top of the mountain the Old Hunters Road
turns left. At this point continue straight onto a trail which, in 3/10 mile, takes you
into the OSR parking lot.
RED TRAIL
BEGINS: Health Lodge
ENDS: OSR Parking Lot
POINTS OF INTEREST; Health Lodge, Wildcat Falls, Devils Gorge, Al Nassau Area, Catholic
Chapel, both shower houses, Council House, Covey Hiking Shelter, Dan Beard Shelter, Long
House, Teddy Roosevelt Shelter, Orchard, O.S.R .road, O.S.R. parking lot.
This trail is all within the main operating area of the reservation. It is designed as
a beginner’s hike and to familiarize anyone taking it with the major facilities
necessary to a person’s stay at Onteora as well as with some of the camp history and
background. The trail is a good beginner’s hike because the Scout does experience
many different hiking situations. The trail travels on camp roads, follows logging roads,
goes through wooded areas, crosses streams, visits otherwise non-visited camp areas,
passes a falls, and climbs up a ravine.
START - From the back of the Health Lodge you follow the major trail off to the
left. Continue down the trail (marked with red and yellow markers) just for a few yards
and then you go off into the woods on the right. You will again see markers on trees
indicating that this is both the yellow and Red Trails. From here on be careful to follow
only the red markers. The trail forks the Yellow going to the right end the Red continuing
straight ahead.
WILDCAT FALLS - The trail comes out into a fairly open area across a rocky
stream bed with high rock lodges off to your right. This is Wildcat Falls. In the summer
most times only a trickle of water comes down over these ledges, but in the spring when
the snow is melting this is a spectacular and beautiful falls. As you face the falls a
ledge and crevice will be seen in the right hand wall of the cliff. This crevice has been
used as a porcupine den for years as evidenced by the many droppings.
DEVILS GORGE - The trail continues through the woods to the right of the stream,
then swings left (north) down into and up out of Devils Gorge. This deep ravine has been
primarily caused by erosion of the spring snow melt off. It was named early in the
development of the camp when the Explorer Base Camp was up in that area and for four
years, from 1957 on, it was crossed by a monkey bridge.
TRAIL SPLITS - After coming up out of the gorge you come to the old "Base
Camp Road". Here you have a choice! The Red Trail splits - to the right is the old
Red Trail and to the left is the newer short cut.
THE SHORT CUT - The short cut takes you through Nils Fairbairn Campsite to
Marshall Lesser Campsite.
THE OLD RED TRAIL - The old Red Trail turns right on the old "Base Camp
Road". The trail next makes a sharp left turn just before an old dilapidated wooden
bridge. (Do not cross the bridge or you will be off the trail.) From here the trail
continues in a long arch, first North then West through the forest, the first part of
which was logged off during the winter of 1965. In the last stretch of the road the trail
goes downhill until it comes out into a large field which was designated to become the
center of the third division of Onteora. The road continues along the South side of the
field and becomes a well worn dirt road as it leaves the field in its Southwest corner.
1998 update: One well-worn board studded with nails is all that
remains of the wooden bridge. The "large field" mentioned above is covered with
face-high growth - a real treat to cross!
TRAILS REJOIN - Both the short cut and the old Red Trail meet around Marshall
Lesser Campsite on a well-graded dirt road. The dirt road swings south and follows along
the west side of the stream; this area was flooded by beavers in the spring of 1969. You
will pass the Catholic Chapel on your left, then watch carefully for the right turn where
the trail leaves the road and goes uphill through the woods. (If you continue along this
road crossing the main road first, you will be on the lake road which has on it the
Trading Post, the Protestant and Jewish Chapels, the waterfront, and the once Conservation
Shelter.)
1998 update: The chapels are no longer there, having been moved behind
the Health Lodge for staff housing.
THROUGH THE WOODS BEHIND LITTLE CALF CAMPSITE - Follow the trail up the hill and
through the woods until you come out at the shower house near the Council House. You are
now at the old road to the sump (drainage beds) for the Council House.
COUNCIL HOUSE - Turning right you will come out at the Council House. This is
the newer of Onteora’s two food service buildings, which opened for the summer of
1960. Today it is the Onteora Craft Lodge.
INTO THE WOODS - As the Council House looms up in front of you, turn left and
then another sharp left, and head down the camp road towards Otter Program Shelter. Very
shortly, right after Tecumseh Campsite, follow a wide trail that forks off to the right.
In a few feet the Red Trail cuts off this trail to the right again between Tecumseh and
Adoette Campsites and then again turn left into the woods behind Adoette Campsite.
COVEY HIKING SHELTER - Continue through the woods until you approach the back of
Covey Hiking Shelter. (Do not cut through the staff area - try to go around the far end of
it.)
DAN BEARD PROGRAM AREA - At Covey Hiking make a left onto the road that
goes towards Dan Beard Program Shelter. When you reach the end this camp road turn right
onto the Ute Loop. In the field on the right the foundation of a house and a root cellar
was located at the downhill end of the orchard near the main road along with some
blueberry bushes, which the inhabitants of the old farm house planted many years ago. The
next program shelter that you will pass is the Dan Beard area.
LONG HOUSE - At the Sioux Campsite the trail turns sharply left (east) into the
woods and brings you out at the Long House, which was built during a big snow storm in the
late fall of 1958. This food service building serves the entire camp. To the north you
will see the James C. West Program Shelter (Field Sports Shelter) and the 65,000 gallon
water tank which supplies the whole camp. It draws its water from the well which is
located at the foot of the hill near the stream into the lake. The well is 240 feet deep
and will produce 280 gallons of water a minute. When it is understood that the National
Engineering Service of the Boy Scouts of America estimates that it takes 50 gallons of
water a day to keep a boy in camp, it can be understood that this facility must be handled
with care.
ORCHARD LAKE DAM - Turning right and passing along the west side of the Long
House you enter the woods on a dirt road known as the Long House Loop to the Navajo Loop.
This road curves around to the east and if followed to the end, comes back along the
mountain below the Long House to the Water Tank. As you hike it you pass the Teddy
Roosevelt Program Area to emerge on the lake road near the once South or Tribes
Waterfront. Turning right follow this road until you come to the dam at the end of the
lake. This again is a crucial area to the maintenance of the camp and must be treated with
respect. The sheer drop from the dam as wall as the machinery makes it a dangerous and
interesting place. The old stone dam and its machinery controls the level of water in the
lake and is regulated by the maintenance staff to insure adequate water for swimming and
boating, as well as the draining off of top water from time to time to keep the lake
clean. This becomes quite difficult in late summer, due to little rain, and must be
carefully controlled.
OTHER SIDE OF ORCHARD LAKE - The trail turns easterly (sharp left) below the dam
and crosses the stream. From here the trail swings north and follows along the west side
of the lake. This is a good wildlife area if one walks slowly, softly and quietly.
Mink have been seen several times near and in the water. Soon the trail goes further into
the woods towards the right and then climbs a steep incline. Finally the trail comes out
onto Onteora Road. Make a left and continue down the road into the Onteora Scout
Reservation Parking Lot.
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