When buying books, I like to support the small companies that original published the book rather than a larger one like Amazon. Unfortunately, some small publishers are hard to contact and not very responsive. In addition, their prices and shipping can be more expensive than Amazon. An example is Purple Mountain Press whose website has not worked for some time. I have offered to help and the only response I have gotten is 'We are working on it!' They don't seem to be very serious about doing business so I suggest you try Amazon. If the book is still in print, Amazon most likely has it!

Books and Maps

There are many good books about the Catskills and many sets of maps that show the trails and peaks. There are also several websites that are dedicated to Catskill hiking, hiking in general, backpacking and camping.

Maps

NY-NJ Trail Conference Maps

These maps use the USGS topographic maps as a base. Superimposed on these maps are all the marked trails and many of the paths that hikers use. On the back of the map the various trails are described and mileages are given. The maps are constantly being updated with changes and most are now digitally produced for greater accuracy. These maps are printed on Tyvek and, while not indestructible, stand up to some very rough handling. They are available from most hiking or outdoor stores in the area for under $20 or from the Conference directly at their website at NYNJTC. They also have maps of other trails in the New York-New Jersey area.

Venture Out Map - DISCONTINUED

Unlike the trail conference maps that are divided into different maps covering different section this map is one BIG map. It is hard to carry on the trail but is invaluable for planning. It, of course, has all the 3500 foot peaks marked but also marks all the CHH peaks and covers most of Delaware County. The map is in color and printed on a water and stain resistant material. ALL public lands are marked in different colors. Distance between certain places on the trail are clearly marked and seem accurate. if all these features are enough the cost is only $9.95. Buy several as gifts!

Books

Many of these books are available from Amazon or Barnes and Noble for a lower price than from the publishers. I try to support the smaller publishers when the price difference is reasonable. It is hard to resist ordering on Amazon when you have a Prime account!

Pennsylvania Waterfalls

Scott E. Brown (author)- Stackpole Books (2004) - 21.95

This is a GREAT book! It does not cover every waterfall in the state but hits many well known and several less obscure falls. Best of all the directions for finding the falls are VERY accurate and small drawn maps further help in locating. The brief but informative comments also are much appreciated. The author also provides beautiful photographs of many of the falls and includes suggestions for setting up shots.

Berkshire and Taconic Trails

Edward G. Henry (author) - Black Dome Press (2008) - $14.95

This book summarizes most of the trails available in these mountains in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Each sect includes a topo map overlaid with the trails. It also includes the highlights, length and difficulty, starting and summit elevations and GPS coordinates. This is followed by a detailed description of the trail.

Kittatinny Trails

Robert L. Boysen (author) - NYNJTC (2004)- 18.95

The layout of this book makes you ask "Why aren't all trail guides like this?" The trails are divided by section. Each trail has a map of the different trails in the area. This is followed by general description of the trail, an elevation profile and directions to the trailheads. Also included are a description of the trail surface, scenery and points of interest and the kind of climbing necessary.

Hudson Valley Ruins

Rinaldi and Yasinac (authors) University Press of New England (2006) - $35.00

Not so much a hiking guide as a catalog of old and very old buildings including farms, factories, commercial and residential buildings. It also mentions iron mines, canals and railroads. A fine book for hikers and those interested in the history of the Hudson valley from north of Albany to New York City.

Hiking the Endless Mountains

Mitchell - Stackpole Books (2003) - $14.95

This is a guide to hiking trails in northeastern Pennsylvania. The trails are separated by county and state park. Each hike has a duration and distance listed. The description of the difficulty is not just given as a number but as a brief discussion to help you make your own decisions. It also lists highlights for each trail and detailed directions on how to get there. A complete description of the trail follows with significant points along the trail listed. A small map is also included when trail maps are not available.

200 Waterfalls in Central and Western New York

Rich and Sue Freeman (authors) - Burford Books (2018) - $19.95

As its title states this volume describes hikes to waterfalls in the western and central part of New York. The falls are divided by county. Each trail has a summary at the beginning of the trail description followed by a more detailed discussion of the hike.

Hiking the Jersey Highlands

George Petty (author)- New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (1999) - $22.95

Rather than divide the hikes by area this book separates them by difficulty. There are starter hikes, longer hikes and challenges. Opinions will vary about difficulty but there is a nice variety of hikes. Most hikes are loops but some are through hikes or out and back. The mountains in this area are not high but most trails are well marked and there are many interesting bits of history in this area.

Hiking New York

Rhonda and George Ostertag (authors)- Falcon Guides (2009)- $19.95

This book is one in the Falcon Guide series. Whenever a book covers a region as big as New York State there will always be room to argue about what trails are chosen and which are left out. The Catskills have 100's of trails but only six are mentioned in the book! The book describes hiking trails in the different regions of New York with 50 trails included and about half again as many given "honorable mention". A trail finder table at the beginning shows whether trails are day hiking, backpacking, appropriate for children, good for dogs and so on. Each trail has a synopsis at the beginning followed by the vital information summary. Directions are given to find the trailhead and a map shows the route although a separate hiking contour map would be a good idea. A description of the hike is followed by a summary of the major trail junctions, turns and landmarks.

Hiking New Jersey

Paul E. Descoste and Ronald J. Dupont Jr. (authors) - Falcon Guides (2009)- $19.95

New Jersey is not all suburban sprawl. It’s home to preserved forests and farmland, streams and waterfalls, clean beaches and wetlands, and endless green mountains—and this guide takes you there. Explore the Ice Age–sculpted Highlands and Kittatinnies in the northwest, the rolling hills of the Piedmont, and the Coastal Plain and Pine Barrens of the south; and discover the beauty of the coast—from Sandy Hook, guarding New York harbor, south to Cape May, where one of America’s first seaside resorts greets the Atlantic Ocean. With this handy guide, veteran New Jersey hikers Paul DeCoste and Ronald Dupont provide all the information you need to get the most out of exploring the scenic Garden State by foot.

Hiking Pennsylvania

John L. Young (author) - Falcon Guides (2008)- $17.95

From the shores of Lake Erie to the City of Brotherly Love, this newly revised and expanded edition of Hiking Pennsylvania features fifty-five hikes that crisscross the Keystone State. Choose a challenging backpack adventure in the mountains, an easy family ramble through historic battlefields, a hike past canals to photograph wildflowers and waterfalls, or a trek through reminders of the state’s mining past. Outdoors writer John L. Young leads the way by suggesting local campgrounds, lodging, restaurants, and hiking clubs and outfitters and by giving you a unique look into the history, culture, and incomparable beauty of Pennsylvania.

Another Day, Another Dollar - The CCC in the Catskills

Diane Galusha (author) - Black Dome Press (2009) - $16.95

This book describes the works of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Catskills. This book shows the location of the camps and gives a history of the Corps in the mountains. The different kinds of projects are outlined.

The Catskill Mountain House

Roland Van Zandt (author) - Black Dome Press (1991) - $31.95

Best known for inspiring the Hudson River School of painting, for 140 years the Catskill Mountain House stood on a rock shelf above the Hudson Valley and facing the River.

Catskill Mountain Guide (2nd edition) - Hiking Trails in the Catskills

Peter Kick (editor) - Appalachian Mountain Club (2009) - $23.95

Any guide that all 35 of the 3500 foot peaks in the Catskills is ambitious indeed. This book not only includes the peaks but most of the other worthwhile trails as well. An introduction discusses the preparations one should make for a hike, some useful information about DEC regulations and a list of important phone numbers and websites. It also presents the various DEC classifications of land in the Catskill Park. This section wraps up by giving some general information about how to get to where you want to go AND how to get back. The rest of the guide is broken down into geographical section of the park. Each section is further divided into the areas within that general region. Every section has a brief introduction to the area including a history. Each hike and trail is then broken down by distances to specific points along the trail. This summary is followed by an excellent detailed description of the entire hike from beginning to end. No maps or pictures are provided in the book but a large map of the park with all the trails is included in a pocket in the back of the book. This map is too fragile and too large to carry on a hike but it is good to help locate the trails in a specific area.

Catskill Trails: A Rangers Guide to the High Peaks - Book One: The Northern Catskills

Edward G. Henry (author) - Black Dome Press (2000) - $14.95

The author of these books has a degree in forestry and served as a ranger in the national Park system for many years. This first book covers the Escarpment, the Devil's Path, the Northern and Northwestern Catskills. It does not stop at the 3500 foot peaks but includes other trail and hikes that the author feels are worthy. The section on the northwestern Catskills includes places such as Mount Utsayantha and Huntersfield. Each hike includes a distance and difficulty rating. The general location is given along with directions to the beginning of the trail. The author makes it clear that some of these hikes are bushwhacks and includes the elevation gain for all. A brief description of the hike follows giving significant points along the trail. Following this summary is a complete description of the area, the history and what you may find along the way. Contour maps are included but should only be used to get an idea of the "lay of the land". Some black and white photos are provided.

Catskill Trails: A Rangers Guide to the High Peaks - Book Two: The Central Catskills

Edward G. Henry (author) - Black Dome Press (2000) - $14.95

This is the companion book to Book 1 and covers the Esopus Valley including Overlook Mountain and the Ashokan High Point. The Central Catskills including the Burroughs Range is also extensively detailed. The mountains along the Pine Hill West Branch Trail are here also, as well as, the peaks in the Western Catskills. The information about each trails and hike is much the same as in the first book. The appendices include the elevations of the 35 peaks and other selected high points. Also covered are the routes to and across the peaks.

Gunks Trails: A Rangers Guide to the Shawangunk Mountains

Edward G. Henry (author) - Black Dome Press (2003) - $14.95

This is the companion book to the Catskill Trails books by the same author. It covers many of the possible hikes along the trails in the area. It is not possible to cover all the possible routes since the number of trails is so large. The Welcome includes 21 pages about the area as a whole and covers the geography, climate and geology of the region. Also covered are the ecology, economy and land use. The book is then broken into large sections that cover the different areas within the region. Within each section specific hikes and trails are discussed. The Eastern Ridge includes Bonticou Crag and Eagle Cliff, two of the better known destinations in the area. Also covered in this section are the Trapps, Skytop and Millbrook Mountain. The section on the Minnewaska area has hikes to the Three Falls, Beacon Hill, Gertrude's Nose, Hamilton and Castle Points, Lake Awosting and the Stony Kill Falls. The Sam's Point Preserve has its own section. The information about each trails and hike is much the same as in the Catskill books. Each hike includes a distance and difficulty rating. The general location is given along with directions to the beginning of the trail. A brief description of the hike follows giving significant points along the trail. Following this summary is a complete description of the area, the history and what you may find along the way. Contour maps are included but should only be used to get an idea of the "lay of the land". Some black and white photos are provided.

AMC's Best Day Hikes in the Catskills and Hudson Valley

Peter W. Kick (author) - Appalachian Mountain Club (2006) - $16.95

This book clearly outlines some of the best hikes in the area. The book is divided into seven chapters that cover the various regions in the area. The area is rather large with the Sterling Forest trails in the south and the Helderberg Escarpment and White Rock in the north. They range from Balsam Lake Mountain in the western Catskills to Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts, in the east. Each hike includes a rating, easy to strenuous, the approximate distance, elevation gain, time and the maps where the trails may be found. Directions to the trail head are provided. The best part is the COMPLETE description of each trail. This is not just a "walk this many miles and then turn left" description but a complete outline of what you can expect to find along the trail. Interesting facts about trail construction and history are included. Of course, features may change and trails may be rerouted but the reading is still worth it.

Harriman Trails: A Guide and History

William J. Myles (author) - New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (2005) - $16.95

The Bear Mountain and Harriman Park areas are heavily criss-crossed with many trails. There are so many that it is impossible to print a description of each on the back of the maps. This book gives a detailed description of each trail and provides a history. Sections in the book cover the marked\ AND unmarked trails. There are also descriptions of the iron mines that dot the landscape. Normally, I am not interested in the history just the hiking. This book does a GREAT job of explaining the history of the area in a lively, informative way. These is an entire section on Doodletown!

Scenes and Walks in the Northern Shawangunks

Jack Fagan (author) - NYNJTC (1999)- 17.95

This book is now only available in hardcover but the price is reasonable and the information well worth the cost. The Shawangunks offer some of the best hiking opportunities in the Hudson Valley and are rated as one of the best places in the country for rock climbing. In a way their popularity has "spoiled" the area particularly for climbers who sometimes must wait in line at the bottom of the cliff. The hiking trails, on the other hand, are popular but the network of trails is so large they seldom seem crowded. The more popular trails do have a number of hikers especially on the weekends.

This book is more of a description of the geology and history of the area than a detailed guide to specific hiking trails. Having said that, it is very good at what is does. The geology of the general area is explained in detail along with the specifics of different formations. The first few sections are comprised of a general introduction, a description of the geology and a chapter on the plants and animals in found in the area. The chapters following this describe different areas including Bonticou Crag, Mohonk, The Trapps, Minnewaska and the Millbrook area, Awosting and the Sam's Point Preserve.

Wilderness Medicine

Tod Schimelpfenig (author) - Stackpole Books (2000) - $16.95

Hiking along trails always presents a certain amount of danger compared to sitting at home on the couch. The longer and more remote the hike the greater the danger. Some trails travel along cliffs or require some rather difficult scrambles up rock faces or over loose rock. Hikes that include camping out for several days can expand the probability that an injury or illness can occur. This book present a very COMPLETE APPROACH to injuries and illness away from civilization. The procedures it suggests very closely parallel New York state emergency medical system protocols with some adaptations that are necessary for the setting.

The first chapter presents a system to assess and evaluate a patient for injuries or illness. This is critical since proper assessment must precede treatment. The second section covers traumatic injuries many of which could be life-threatening. Falls can produce broken bones in the extremities or can inflict head and back injuries. Any of these injuries can result in shock. Hiking also exposes the hiker to environmental problems due to cold or heat. The next section deals with these problems as well as lightning and near-drowning. It also has a chapter on stings and bites that can just be annoying or potentially fatal. These is also a section covering medical problems ranging from gastroenteritis (upset stomach) to cardiac emergencies. The final section covers some non-emergency problems. It also deals with team work and rescuer stress.

Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons

Carol and David White (editors) - Adirondack Mountain Club (2002) - $12.95

This thin volume includes 60 different trails in the Catskills with something for everyone. The hikes range in distance and difficulty from an easy 1.0 mile walked to a waterfall to the 15.0 mile "extremely difficult" Wittenberg-Cornell-Slide loop. Each hike has a short description that includes the distance, elevation change, summit elevation, difficulty and various maps where the trail can be found. Also included are a short summary of the hike, access to the area and a description of the trailhead and parking. A longer description follows including, in many cases, a history of the area. Each hike includes a map showing the roads, trails, lookouts and lean-tos in the area. The maps are a nice addition but do NOT include the contour lines. The descriptions do accurately describe the terrain, the difficulty and what you can expect along the way.

Catskill Trails

Carol and David White (editors) - Adirondack Mountain Club (2005) - $19.95

This book is a more expansive version of "Catskill Day Hikes for All Seasons". It includes all the 3500 foot peaks even the trailless ones! The book is broken into sections. Each section has a description of the area including a history. After this there is a list of hikes in that area broken down by length; short, moderate and harder. This is followed by an index to the longer descriptions of the hikes in that area. A "route guide" for the area is also included along with a map of the general area. Each trail description is short but packed with information. A list of possible maps of the area is followed by a brief description of the trail and how to get to the trailhead. No maps are shown for each individual hike. Maps in books are nice since they give the reader an idea of what the hike will be like. However, these maps are seldom accurate or extensive enough to use for the hike itself. This book is meant to be used with the NY-NJ Trail Conference maps which I feel are a must even for seasoned hikers. The explanations of the hikes themselves are short but give a mile-by-mile description of what you will find.

The Long Path Guide

Herb Chong (editor) - New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (2005) - $16.95

This book breaks the Long Path into sections that could be covered in a day or sections where camping is possible. The Long Path Starts near Fort Lee, New Jersey and winds its way to Thatcher Park near Albany. The aim is to extend the Path into the Adirondacks. The problem, as this book points out, is that not all the land that the Path passes through is owned by the state. Over a mile of the Path near Sam's Point has been closed by the landowner. There is a workaround and efforts are being made to purchase this land and again make the Path continuous. The parts of the Path that pass through Orange County are not very scenic due to the topography of the land and the recent boom in developments. Parts of the Path have been rerouted through the Shawangunks to make a more scenic trail. This book does a good job of describing the Long Path for those that want to hike its length and for those just looking for a day hike. Many of the sections described are ten miles or more so parking a car at both ends might be best.

Forever on the Mountain

James Tabor (author) - W W Norton - (2006) - $26.95

Author James Tabor gives the 1967 Denali expedition a fresh, objective look. The questions that surround the death of 7 climbers may never truly be answered but Tabor tries to do just that and has put together an exciting volume.

Catskill Region Waterfall Guide

Russell Dunn (author) - Black Dome Press (2004) - $14.95

Dunn has compiled a definitive volume on Catskill waterfalls. He gives directions on how to get to and/or view the falls. Even falls that have no names are described.

Hudson Valley Waterfall Guide

Russell Dunn (author) - Black Dome Press (2005) - $17.95

This book is similar to the Catskill guide but includes falls from outside the Catskill region. He gives directions on how to get to and/or view the falls. Even falls that have no names are described.

Iron Mine Trails

Edward J. Lenik (author) - New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (1999) - $8.95

Author Lenik does a nice job of describing iron mining in the Harriman and Sterling Forest area. He gives descriptions of the mines and their exact location. I have used his book to find many of the mines and have not failed.

50 Hikes in Eastern Pennsylvania

Tom Thwaites (author) - Backcountry Press (1997) - $16.95

Author Tom Thwaites describes many of the best hiking trails in these areas including those in state parks and those that are only bushwhacking. He gives good descriptions of classic hikes from Scranton to Harrisburg but also includes less known areas.

50 Hikes in Central Pennsylvania

Tom Thwaites (author) - Backcountry Press (2001) - $16.95

Author Tom Thwaites describes many of the best hiking trails in these areas including those in state parks and those that are only bushwhacking. He gives good descriptions of classic hikes like the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania and Ricketts Glen but also includes less known areas.

Catskill Peak Experiences: 101 True Tales of High Adventure in the High Peaks

Carol Stone White< (editor) - Black Dome Press - $19.95

Since 1962, mountain climbers in the Northeast have joined the quest for membership in the Catskill 3500 Club, reserved for hikers who summit all thirty-five Catskill Mountain peaks over 3,500 feet high. Adding to the challenge, four peaks must be climbed in winter, and thirteen of the peaks are trailless. Forty percent of the club's membership have climbed all 35 peaks in calendar winter. Despite all obstacles, from blizzards to raging thunderstorms, ice storms, broken bones, heart attacks, subzero temperatures, disorientation, intense fatigue - you name it - they kept coming back for more, and today over 1,700 men and women have earned their membership badge.

And they all returned with stories to tell.

Sections include: Marathon Hikes • Wildlife Encounters • Wild Weather • Navigating in the Wilderness • Misadventures • Winter Adventuring • Lost in the Wilderness • Mysteries • Reminiscences • Catskill Mountain Highs

Catskill Peak Experiences also includes the first history written about the Catskill 3500 Club.

PRAISE FOR CATSKILL PEAK EXPERIENCES
The Catskills have provided and will continue to provide, as evidenced in the stories that White has assembled, a rare opportunity to explore the uncharted, to experience a true wilderness adventure, and to challenge one’s abilities. … Reading these stories will instill an appreciation for the many values this tremendous wilderness resource provides. From the foreword by William Rudge, Natural Resources Supervisor, Region 3, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Adirondack Peak Experiences

Carol Stone White (editor) - Black Dome Press - $17.95

Foreword by Neil Woodworth, Executive Director, Adirondack Mountain Club
A wonderfully written and compiled anthology of hiking and mountaineering adventures in the Adirondacks. Neil Woodworth

Eighty-seven true tales of adventures and misadventures in New York State’s Adirondack Park written by more than seventy-five mountaineers, including some of the most experienced backpackers in the Northeast, many of them Adirondack Forty-Sixers and members of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Included are unforgettable climbs in extreme weather, mistakes made and hardships endured, encounters with bears and other wildlife, accidents and injuries, getting lost in the wilderness, rescues, inspirations, enchantments, and other memorable adventures that present the dangers, challenges and joys of all-season hiking and backpacking in the Adirondack Mountains. Sections include "Adventures in the High Peaks Region," "In Quest of the 46 High Peaks," and "Adventures in the Greater Adirondacks."

Women with Altitude: Challenging the Adirondack High Peaks in Winter

Carol Stone White (author) - may be available on Amazon.com as a used book

Over 200 adventures written in chilling detail by 33 women who in solar winter reached the summits of all 46 Adirondack High Peaks over 4,000 feet. Many tales came from letters written to Adirondack Forty-Sixer Club's beloved historian, Grace Hudowalski. The Forty-Sixer story and winter hiking in the High Peaks are surveyed. Biographies, accompanied by photos of each, give a fascinating glimpse into the lives of this rare breed: Women Winter 46ers.

Old Stone Walls: Catskill Land and Lore

Norman J. Van Valkenburgh (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2004) - $12.50

Some walls are relics left by previous generations to record their history on the landscape of the Catskills. Those with dignity are followed confidently by land surveyors trying to research old deeds. Along the way they meet those characters who are a part of the lore of the mountains and other surveyors--some with character and some without. It's all here in the narratives of one who roamed these hills looking for the lost corners and boundary lines and found people, vistas, and experiences worth remembering.

A Catskill Catalog

Bill Birns (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2004) - $18.00

For more than three years, Bill Birns, of Fleischmanns, has explored the history, geography, arts and culture of the Catskills in a weekly essay published in the Catskill Mountain News. In 84 essays, he takes his readers on 800-word journeys of discovery, compact vignettes, windows into mountain history, mountain people, and mountain life. Here we learn about town team basketball and honeymoon hay-ride skimmeltons, trout fishing and landscape painting, manor houses and hotels, hide tanning and cauliflower raising. We meet fascinating people like designer and social reformer Candace Wheeler, pioneer of early television Gertrude Berg, and artist Frederick Church. Some of the most fascinating characters are the not-so-famous, the everyday people of the Catskills, people like Frank Russell of New Kingston, Melvin Mayes of Fleischmanns, and Reginald Bennett of Chichester. We meet Jim Dutcher, who built stone steps up Slide Mountain and Abe Savatman, who endowed a local school with an academic legacy. There's a murder in Andes and a great three-part telling of the Anti-Rent War. We learn about common schools and academies, roads and river-rafts, fighting the Revolution and celebrating Memorial Day. A Catskill Catalog is reader-friendly, informative, and often amusing. It may be read straight through, or a chapter-or-two at a time. Together, the 84 essays weave a colorful tale of a resilient and independent people in a beautiful, but often difficult, environment. A Catskill Catalog is a written-mosaic of mountain life. .

Adirondack Trails with Tales

Russell Dunn and Barbara Delaney (authors) - Black Dome Press (2009) - $17.95

Hike, paddle, bike, or cross-country ski along beautiful trails through sites made famous by Adirondack guides, artists, writers, entrepreneurs, colonial settlers, and combatants in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars. Visit abandoned iron mines and the ruins of tanneries, famous Adirondack great camps and old resorts, lost villages, Native American battlegrounds, and the homestead of John Brown, catalyst for the Civil War. Visit the scene of America's first naval battle and marvel at geological wonders like Indian Pass, Canajoharie Gorge, Chimney Mountain, and the tufa caves of Van Hornesville.

Detailed directions, maps, photographs, and vintage postcards.

Hikes include: Valcour Island, Coon Mountain, Crown Point: Fort St. Frederic & His Majesty's Fort of Crown Point , Fort Ticonderoga , Ironville & Penfield Homestead , Rock Pond , Rogers Rock , Shelving Rock Mountain & Shelving Rock Falls , Prospect Mountain , Fort George and Bloody Pond , Cooper's Cave & Betar Byway , John Brown's Farm , Mt. Jo & Mt. Van Hoevenberg, Adirondack & Indian Pass , East Branch of the Ausable River & Adirondack Mountain Reserve , Santanoni , The Sagamore , Paul Smiths , Hooper Garnet Mine , Chimney Mountain , Kunjamuk Cave , Griffin, Griffin Falls, & Auger Falls , Moss Island , Tufa Caves & Waterfalls of Van Hornesville , Canajoharie Gorge, Wolf Hollow.

Kaaterskill

Mountain Top Historical Society (author) - Black Dome Press (1993) - $13.95

A hiking companion and history of the heart of the Catskill Park and Preserve--the region including Kaaterskill Falls, Haines Falls, North Lake Campground, the Catskill Mountain House and the northeastern high peaks and escarpment.

Catskill Mountain House Trail Guide

Robert A. Gildersleeve (author) - Black Dome Press (2005) - $16.95

Rediscover the lost and forgotten sites of the golden age of the Catskills. This is a state-of-the-art hiking guide to the trails around the Catskill Mountain House—the first recreational mountain trails in the United States. Featuring newly drawn maps, GPS coordinates, and precise modern trail descriptions, and embellished with 19th-century descriptions and dozens of period illustrations, this book guides the reader along the historic footpaths that inspired writers and poets like James Fenimore Cooper and William Cullen Bryant, the pioneering artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, Asher Durand, and Frederic Church, and America’s first landscape architects—Calvert Vaux, Andrew Jackson Downing, and Frederic Law Olmsted. Includes Samuel Rusk’s 1879 map of the Catskills, plus reprintings from Rusk’s rare and out-of-print “An Illustrated Guide to the Catskill Mountains” and Van Loan’s classic “Catskill Mountain Guide.”

The Catskills

Marc B. Fried (author) - Marc B. Fried (2005) - $18.95

The Catskills with Gazetteer

Arthur G. Adams (author) - Fordham University Press (1990) - $30.00

This scrupulously revised edition offers a comprehensive introduction to the beauty and wonder of the Catskill mountain region. Combining a wealth of information with abundant illustrations, the book falls into four main sections. The first section deals principally with the geography of the area. Part Two focuses on the region's history, with subsections on Railroad Fever, The Romantic Era, War and Revolution, and Famous Hotels. Part Three- devoted to the Catskill's legends, literature, and art-features descriptive passages from the work of such famous writers as James Fenimore Cooper and Washington Irving. The final section is an extensive gazetteer that provides succinct descriptions of the mountains, ranges, rivers, brooks, kills, creeks, and other geographical features of the region.

Catskill Tales and Trails

Ralph Ferrusi (author) - Iuniverse (2006) - $14.95

I've had a love affair for nearly forty years. When my wife found out about it, she encouraged me to continue it, and then she joined me. I love the Catskills. I love the mountains, the valleys, the cloves and hollows, the streams and reservoirs, the villages, towns, and hamlets: Peakamoose. Slide, Wittenberg, and Cornell. Friday and Balsam Cap. Panther. Bearpen and Vly. Maplecrest Valley, Stony Clove, McKenley Hollow. The Esopus and the Neversink. The Rondout and the Pepacton. Sundown and Shady. I've climbed the high peaks since the 60’s, cycled through the valleys and the villages since the 80’s, wrote about it in the 90’s, and put all the writings together in the 2000’s: Catskill Tales and Trails—35 chapters; one devoted to each of the 35 Catskill 3500’ peaks.

North Berkshire Outdoor Guide

Williams Outing Club (author) - Williams Outing Club (2008) - $15.00

I've had a love affair for nearly forty years. When my wife found out about it, she encouraged me to continue it, and then she joined me. I love the Catskills. I love the mountains, the valleys, the cloves and hollows, the streams and reservoirs, the villages, towns, and hamlets: Peakamoose. Slide, Wittenberg, and Cornell. Friday and Balsam Cap. Panther. Bearpen and Vly. Maplecrest Valley, Stony Clove, McKenley Hollow. The Esopus and the Neversink. The Rondout and the Pepacton. Sundown and Shady. I've climbed the high peaks since the 60’s, cycled through the valleys and the villages since the 80’s, wrote about it in the 90’s, and put all the writings together in the 2000’s: Catskill Tales and Trails—35 chapters; one devoted to each of the 35 Catskill 3500’ peaks.

K2

Ed Viesturs (author) - Broadway Books (2009) - $14.99

K2 is the world’s second tallest mountain. Located in the Karakoram Range in northern Pakistan, it has more than earned its nickname as the "world’s most dangerous mountain." Just a year ago, thirteen climbers lost their lives on the mountain in a single day. A few mountains may have killed a higher ratio of those who have tried to climb them, notably Annapurna, but none combine the danger, lore, and prestige of K2. In Viesturs’ new book, he tells the story of six expeditions to the fabled mountain. Some successful. Some ill-fated. All spellbinding.

At the Mercy of the Mountains

Peter Bronski (author) - Globe Pequot Press (2009) - $15.95

In this compelling book, award-winning adventure writer and former Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue team member Peter Bronski chronicles true stories of survival and tragedy, from famous historical cases during the early twentieth century to modern tales of harrowing struggle in the mountains and wilderness. Extensively researched, these gripping tales pull together historical accounts, firsthand interviews, previously untold stories, and expert analysis to retrace each misadventure.

More than just a recounting of tragedy in the wilderness, At the Mercy of the Mountains is an affirmation of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity and an insight into why misadventure happens in the first place—and how to avoid it. It is a must-read for hikers, climbers, paddlers, armchair travelers—anyone who loves great tales of adventure.

Ranger Confidential

Andrea Lankford (author) - Falcon Guides (2010) - $16.99

In this compelling book, award-winning adventure writer and former Lower Adirondack Search and Rescue team member Peter Bronski chronicles true stories of survival and tragedy, from famous historical cases during the early twentieth century to modern tales of harrowing struggle in the mountains and wilderness. Extensively researched, these gripping tales pull together historical accounts, firsthand interviews, previously untold stories, and expert analysis to retrace each misadventure.

More than just a recounting of tragedy in the wilderness, At the Mercy of the Mountains is an affirmation of the triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity and an insight into why misadventure happens in the first place—and how to avoid it. It is a must-read for hikers, climbers, paddlers, armchair travelers—anyone who loves great tales of adventure.

Venomous Snakes

Cynthia Berger (author) - Stackpole Books (2007) - $19.95

Feared and reviled by many, venomous snakes are woefully misunderstood. This illustrated guide clears up many of the misconceptions about the animals and offers a glimpse into their extraordinary lives. Covering everything from hunting, feeding, and locomotion to shedding, mating, and reproduction, the book also examines the difficulties that these snakes and humans have coexisting and gives advice on what to do should you encounter a venomous snake in the field.

Hiking the Road to Ruins

David A. Steinberg (author) - Rutgers Press (2007) - $18.95

Feared and reviled by many, venomous snakes are woefully misunderstood. This illustrated guide clears up many of the misconceptions about the animals and offers a glimpse into their extraordinary lives. Covering everything from hunting, feeding, and locomotion to shedding, mating, and reproduction, the book also examines the difficulties that these snakes and humans have coexisting and gives advice on what to do should you encounter a venomous snake in the field.

Weekend Walks in Putnam and Dutchess Counties

Peggy Turco (author) - Countryman Press (2005) - $14.95

Feared and reviled by many, venomous snakes are woefully misunderstood. This illustrated guide clears up many of the misconceptions about the animals and offers a glimpse into their extraordinary lives. Covering everything from hunting, feeding, and locomotion to shedding, mating, and reproduction, the book also examines the difficulties that these snakes and humans have coexisting and gives advice on what to do should you encounter a venomous snake in the field.

GPS Made Easy

Lawrence Latham (author) - Mountaineers Books (2003) - $15.95

Feared and reviled by many, venomous snakes are woefully misunderstood. This illustrated guide clears up many of the misconceptions about the animals and offers a glimpse into their extraordinary lives. Covering everything from hunting, feeding, and locomotion to shedding, mating, and reproduction, the book also examines the difficulties that these snakes and humans have coexisting and gives advice on what to do should you encounter a venomous snake in the field.

Rails Along the East Branch

John M. Ham and Robert K. Bucenec (authors) - Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Press (2006) - $44.95

The authors have previously offered three highly-regarded titles on the Catskill narrow gauges, the Ulster & Delaware, and the post-1932 U&D when it was operated by the New York Central and later Penn Central and Conrail. Collectively, these books provide a comprehensive photographic depiction of early Catskill railroading, industry, and everyday life. Now the authors turn their attention to the Delaware & Northern in this new book. A brief history traces its beginnings as the Delaware & Eastern. The journey continues through reorganization as the Delaware & Northern to its eventual abandonment. This book includes the planned extension to Schenectady; the Pepacton Reservoir project; the local milk and lumber industries; acid factories; early tourism; connections to the U&D and NYO&W; steam rosters; and the towns served.

Light Rail and Short Ties

John M. Ham and Robert K. Bucenec (authors) - Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Press (2004) - $49.95

This volume covers the Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Railroads and the legacy they left.

Narrow Gauge Railroads to the Catskill High Peaks

John M. Ham (author) - Stony Clove and Catskill Mountain Press (2009) - $39.95

This volume covers the Catskill Mountain Railway, Cairo Railway, Otis Elevating Railway and the Catskill and Tannersville Railway.

Stories of the Beaverkill

Friends of the Beaverkill Community (authors) - Friends of the Beaverkill Community (2008) - $35.00

Includes all the stories from both Volume I and Volume II. A very limited printing shares remembrances of a special area.

Trout Fishing in the Catskills

Ed Van Put (author) - Sky Horse Publishing (2007) - $60.00

Ed Van Put begins this important new book with the history of native brook trout and offers little-known details about their sizes, abundance, and demise from over-fishing, the growth of streamside industries, and the introduction of competitive species. He records the attempts to restore the depleted fishery by restocking streams with hatchery-bred trout, and then the introduction of rainbow trout from California and brown trout from Europe, and their impact upon Catskill trout fishing. Throughout, this is a history of people and methods as well as rivers, and there are profiles of Theodore Gordon, Art Flick, Harry and Elsie Darbee, Sparse Grey Hackle, and more. No serious trout fisherman, in any part of the country, will want to miss this pioneering portrait of a seminal region in American angling history. Color and black-and-white illustrations throughout.

Fire Towers of the Catskills

Martin Podskoch (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2000) - $20.00

At one time there were twenty-three fire towers in and around the Catskill Mountains. The author has researched the history of each and gathered the stories of the rangers who supervised them, the observers who kept watch on the forest and the pilots who replaced them.

Hiking Pennsylvania

Mike Bleech (author) - Human Kinetics (2000) - $19.95

Explore the beauty of Pennsylvania on foot! Whether you're looking for a short and simple hike or a longer, more challenging trek, Hiking Pennsylvania will lead you to the right trail. Author Mike Bleech draws on his experience as an outdoor freelance writer and photographer to show how easy it is to enjoy self-guided tours of trails in scenic areas in the eastern, central, and western sections of the state. With easy-to-follow park and trail maps, you'll find trails in such scenic spots as Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, French Creek State Park, Allegheny National Forest, Gettysburg, and Erie National Wildlife Refuge. For each park and nature area featured in the book, you'll find

- detailed information on featured trails, including the length and difficulty of each hike;
- easy-to-follow maps of the park and of each featured trail;
- practical information on how to get to the park, park hours, available facilities, permits and rules, and a contact address and phone number;
- a brief description of the park's history and terrain; and
- details on nearby parks and recreational opportunities, including contact phone numbers.

The book guides you through every turn in the trail, pointing out plants, wildlife, and special features you'll see along the way. The convenient trail finder summarizes essential information about each featured trail so you can select an ideal hike. Whether you're a Pennsylvania resident, live in the surrounding states, or just planning a visit, you'll find there's no better way to discover the state's natural beauty than with Hiking Pennsylvania. So find a trail you like, lace up your hiking boots, and go!

The Catskill Park

Norman Van Valkenburgh and Chris Olney (authors) - Black Dome Press (2004) - $21.95

History of New York State's 1,100-square-mile Catskill Park (established 1904) and Catskill Forest Preserve (established 1885), one of the earliest experiments in conservation in the United States, wherein wildlands coexist with private property within the "blue line" of the Catskill Park. Features 32 pages of color photographs, more than 70 historical & contemporary B&W photos, and the Carpenter Report, an "inventory" of the Catskill Mountains in 1886.

To the Mountains by Rail

Manville Wakefield (authors) - Wakefair Press (1970) - $15.00 (original), $70 - $170 (now)

This book is the definitive history of Sullivan County's famed "borscht belt" resorts, as well as its tuberculosis sanitariums and the vital New York, Ontario and Western Railway which brought clientele to the mountains.

America's First Wilderness

Norman Van Valkenburgh (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2004) - $6.50

History of New York State's Forest Preserve including the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

O and W

William Helmer (authors) - Black Dome Press (2000) - $15.95

Over 100 photographs and illustrations grace this history of the Ontario & Western-- the "Old & Weary." The O&W line operated from 1869-1957, and ran from Oswego on Lake Ontario to New York City, Passing through the "midlands" and southern counties of New York State, with spurs to Utica, Kingston, Port Jervis, and Scranton, PA. Filled with "colorful characters and miscellaneous machinery," O. & W. chronicles "almost a century of alternating hope and heartache, prosperity ,and poverty, dignity and degradation," and the passing of "part of a way of life now gone from the American scene."

A Free Soil --- A Free People

Dorothy Kubik (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2004) - $15.00

By 1845, settlers had transformed the wilderness of the Catskills in upstate New York into productive farms. Their dream of owning their own land, however, became a nightmare as they tried to free themselves from the shackling leases of wealthy landlords. Considering their cause a continuation of the American Revolution, the tenants rebelled and refused to pay the rent. The more militant, like the colonists at the Boston Tea Party, called themselves `Indians.' They dressed in grotesque disguises and appeared at sales of delinquent tenants' property to intimidate bidders. Violence erupted at one of these sales near Andes in Delaware County, and a fatal bullet almost shattered their cause."

Fond Memories

Shirley Fulton (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2007) - $15.00

Land ownership in the Livingston Manor part of Sullivan County, New York, has always been an interesting issue from the time of the Hardenburgh Patent, to Dr. Edward Livingston, to the Anti-Rent War, to the coming of the New York, Ontario & Western Railway. It is all here along with a nostalgic look at tourism's heyday, the acid factories, mills, schools, shops, and country life of yester year.

Catskill Mountain Bluestone

Alf Evers, Robert Titus, Tim Weidner (authors) - Purple Mountain Press (2008) - $6.50

The quarrying of Catskill Mountain bluestone (a number of different types of sandstone of varying colors) once supplied sidewalk paving and architectural stone in great quantities for cities in the East. The advent of concrete brought this huge industry to a virtual standstill. Today there has been a revival of interest in architectural bluestone, and it is once again a multi-million-dollar industry in the Catskills. This booklet is co-published with the New York Folklore Society.

The Wood Chemical Industry in the Delaware Valley

Frank Daniel Myers III (author) - Prior King Press (1986) - $40.00

The quarrying of Catskill Mountain bluestone (a number of different types of sandstone of varying colors) once supplied sidewalk paving and architectural stone in great quantities for cities in the East. The advent of concrete brought this huge industry to a virtual standstill. Today there has been a revival of interest in architectural bluestone, and it is once again a multi-million-dollar industry in the Catskills. This booklet is co-published with the New York Folklore Society.

The Catskills: A Geological Guide

Robert Titus (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2004) - $15.00

Dr. Robert Titus has revised and enlarged his guide to the geology of New York State's Catskill Mountains for this third edition. Written for the layperson, the book explores the 400 million years of geological history hidden in the region's rocks and landscapes. Here are stories of continental collisions, lost mountain ranges, and primitive fossil creatures in an ancient sea. Most of all it is the story of the land of Gilboa, literally a land that time has forgotten.

The Catskills in the Ice Age

Robert Titus (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2003) - $15.00

To someone who knows how to read the landscape, the Catskills generate fabulous images of ice, glacial lakes, and fossil rivers roaring through the valleys--the Catskill Mountains as we know them are the legacy of massive forces. Virtually all Catskill mountain villages are built where they are because glaciers made some of the land habitable; our best agricultural lands are the floors of glacial lakes; much of our recreational hiking and climbing leads to scenery carved by the passing ice. The glaciers that covered these mountains did not in themselves produce art, literature, or environmental ethics, but here they created a setting that inspired all three. That is the story of "The Catskills in the Ice Age."

Loomis

John Conway (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2006) - $15.00

Loomis tells the story of the fight against tuberculosis, believed responsible for a billion deaths worldwide between 1700 and 1900. Dr. Alfred L. Loomis, who was diagnosed with the disease himself in 1867, was an innovative thinker and pioneer of the climatological treatment of the disease in a sanitarium setting. He helped one of his patients, Dr. E. L. Trudeau, to open the first American sanitarium in the Adirondacks in 1883, and realizing the need for a larger facility nearer New York City, purchased land and raised the money to operate such a facility near Liberty in Sullivan County. Opened in 1896, it continued to treat patients through 1942

Remembering the Sullivan County Catskills

John Conway (author) - Arcadia Publishing (2006) - $19.99

Compiled from the best of John Conway's popular Retrospect column, these articles shine a spotlight on famous faces of the past, from George Suslosky, phenomenal yet feisty diner cook, to the worst woman on earth, Lizzie Brown Halliday. Enlightening and entertaining, the remarkable historical vignettes in this volume explore the customs and curiosities of the Sullivan County Catskills. High on a bank in Craig-e-Clare sat the stately Dundas Castle, rumored to house a beautiful woman who lured fishermen from the Beaverkill River into her lair. In the hamlet of De Bruce, every spring a monstrous panther prowled, feasting on trout and tourists. These are no myths from the dark history of foreign lands, but tales from the colorful past of Sullivan County, New York.

Women of the Catskills

Richard Heppner (author) - Arcadia Publishing (2006) - $19.99

Hailing from the home to industrious, strong and creative individuals, the women of the Catskills have embodied this rugged spirit best. Though often overlooked in Catskill Mountain history, their stories are inspiring, like that of Candace Wheeler, who used her rural upbringing to achieve personal success and improve life for others. They are personal, such as Lucy Lobdell's story--a century ahead of her time, she challenged conventional thoughts on equality and lifestyle. Most of all, they reflect the spirit of their surroundings, as independent women like Marion Bullard challenged the status quo to build a better community. Overcoming the physical challenges of mountain life and the societal obstacles they faced because of their gender, Catskills' most fearless women are revealed by local historian Richard Heppner.

The Catskills

Alf Evers (author) - Doubleday (1972) - $40.00

The Catskills tells the story of one of America's most historically rich and romantic regions. Alf Evers evokes the special charm of the Catskills region with explorations of its flora and fauna, legends, superstitions, and natural and unnatural wonders. Packed with illustrations detailing the history of the Catskills from the time of its first settling through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, the Borcht Belt years, the famed Woodstock festival, up to the present, The Catskills is a memorable book that does full justice to a vital vein of our American heritage.

History of Sullivan County

James Quinlan (author) - Beebe and Morgans (1873) - priceless

This is an original first printing copy of the definitive work on the history of Sullivan County. I, obviously, is outdated but is still the best fork on the history up to 1873. "New" printings of this book are scans of an original.

Views from on High

John P. Freeman (author) - Adirondack Mountain Club (2006) - $12.95

Threatened with destruction, these historical towers are being preserved through the efforts of volunteer organizations throughout the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. This guide describes 28 fire tower trails, how to get to each, the condition of the tower, and whether or not it's open to the public. Includes historical information and anecdotes, page maps, and current and archival photos.

The Heart of the Catskills

Bob Steuding (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2008) - $15.00

The Heart of the Catskills by Bob Steuding, author of the popular and highly acclaimed The Last of the Handmade Dams: The Story of the Ashokan Reservoir describes the early settlement of the part of the Catskills centered on its highest peak, Slide Mountain; the area's exploitation by the tanning industry; and the building of the Grand Hotel near Belleayre Mountain. He presents the stories of colorful personalities, such as Jim Dutcher, the mountain man; John Burroughs, the writer and naturalist; and others, who once peopled this wild and beautiful place.

A History of Delaware County

Tim Duerden (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2007) - $20.00

From "a howling wilderness" to weekend retreat, this book is the first comprehensive history of Delaware County, New York, since 1949. The author follows the numerous themes, characters and events that so affect the present. Land use is at the fore of this tale of a remote upland county situated in the western Catskill Mountains, now part of the vast hinterland of New York City. Once the haunt of Native Americans, the county became home to hardy pioneer families, farmers and trades people, each group with its own particular needs to be derived from the land. Land use issues have dominated the local scene, as documented by the stores of the Anti-Rent War, the construction of the railroads and highways and eventually the construction of the reservoirs for New York's thirsty millions. More than 120 illustrations are included.

The Ulster and Delaware

Gerald M. Best (author) - Golden West Books (2000) - $49.95

The Ulster and Delaware...Railroad Through the Catskills presents the complete story of all the railroads of the Catskill region and describes the great hotels the railroads served. In pictures and text it tells about the railroads' construction, early operation, the famous passenger trains, and the steam locomotives. Included are descriptions of the Catskills, the sights along the line, special trains, the rolling stock, freight service, and the workings of the unique Otis Elevating Railway. The author relates many unusual personal experiences and happenings about the Cornells, the Coykendalls, the railroads and the hotels. This is an intensely human story of struggle and triumph in the New York tradition.

Rip Van Winkle Railroads

William F. Helmer (author) - Black Dome Press (1999) - $21.95

The history of the narrow gauge railroads--the Canajoharie & Catskill Railroad, the Catskill Mountain Railway, the Catskill & Tannersville Railway and the Otis Elevating Railway that steamed through the Catskill Mountains.

The Catskill Forest: A History

Michael Kudish (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2000) - $80.00

Published in August 2000, this book is the result of more than 30 years of research on the Catskill forest. It includes 25 maps showing the distribution of species and forest-products industries in addition to a full-color, large, fold-out map that shows the extent of the first growth forest, second and third growth forest, agricultural lands, burned areas, reforested areas, and landslides. Five sections look at plant migrations to the region following the last glaciation, the impact of people on the forest, the forest regrown, mountain ranges, forest industries. A must for anyone who loves the Catskills.

Where Did the Tracks Go in the Central Adirondacks?

Michael Kudish (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2007) - $25.00

This is the second of a four-volume set on Mountain Railroads of New York State. It includes railroads which diverged from the New York Central Main Line into the Adirondacks from the south, concentrating on the Adirondack Division, its branches, and its connecting shortlines. The major objectives of Volume Two, as well as for the other three volumes of Mountain Railroads of New York State, are: locate as precisely as possible abandoned and extant railroad grades, with their associated industries and facilities, on maps based on topographic quadrangles, i.e. an atlas. To present both the opening and closing years for these railroads and industries.

Where Did the Tracks Go in the Eastern Adirondacks?

Michael Kudish (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2008) - $25.00

This volume covers the eastern portion of the Adirondacks, especially the Delaware & Hudson from Whitehall to the Canadian border. All its branches and connecting lines are described. The book includes a chapter on Amtrak and on non-connecting rail lines. The maps in the Mountain Railroads of New York State: Where Did the Tracks Go? series combine details from multiple sources and will greatly assist the reader in the field to locate precisely sites of historic railroad activity. Volume I, published in 2005, and Volume II covered the western and central Adirondacks. Volume IV (2011) will cover the Catskills.

Where Did the Tracks Go in the Catskills?

Michael Kudish (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2009) - $25.00

This is the fourth and final volume of Mountain Railroads of New York State by Michael Kudish. Like his three previous books on Adirondack railroad lines, this is a monumental atlas. It covers the Catskills region from the Hudson Valley to the West Branch Delaware River Valley. Included are the Ulster & Delaware; the Delaware & Northern; the New York, Ontario & Western's Delhi Branch; and the Catskill Mountain Railroad with its connecting narrow-gauged lines in Greene County. A series of short lines that served individual industries and construction sites are also described along with a few railroads that were partially built but never completed. Included are brief chronologies of the two recent tourist lines: the (second) Catskill Mountain Railroad and the Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride. A catalog of 379 railroad-related industries and facilities is included, and each rail line is illustrated in detail on 191 maps.

Where Did the Tracks Go in the Western Adirondacks?

Michael Kudish (author) - Purple Mountain Press (2005) - $25.00

The primary intent of Mountain Railroads of New York State is to assist the reader in the location of railroad grades, primarily abandoned, in the field. For future historians, these four volumes date, as best as possible, the period of service of each line and major industry. Many references to further, more detailed, reading on the lines are provided, especially on topics which cannot be included here: forestry, geology, finances, biographies of railroad builders, political, and social aspects, etc. A secondary intent for Mountain Railroads of New York State is to provide detailed itineraries for passengers riding on existing trains for a fuller, richer appreciation of historic sites and interpretation of natural sights along the right-of-way. Chapters 35, 36, 49, and 50 may be useful to passengers on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Chapters 51 and 67 may be used as an itinerary for passengers on Amtrak’s Adirondack, while Chapters 52 and 53 may be used as an itinerary for passengers riding the Upper Hudson River Railroad. In the Catskills, Chapters 80, 83, and 84 could benefit passengers riding the Catskill Mountain Railroad and the Delaware & Ulster Rail Ride.

Touching the Void

Joe Simpson (author) - The Folio Society (2008) - $95.00

(NB: This book is available in less expensive hardcover and paperback editions. This printing is a beautiful book!)
Concise and yet packed with detail, Touching the Void, Joe Simpson's harrowing account of near-death in the Peruvian Andes, is a compact tour de force that wrestles with issues of bravery, friendship, physical endurance, the code of the mountains, and the will to live. Simpson dedicates the book to his climbing partner, Simon Yates, and to "those friends who have gone to the mountains and have not returned." What is it that compels certain individuals to willingly seek out the most inhospitable climate on earth? To risk their lives in an attempt to leave footprints where few or none have gone before? Simpson's vivid narrative of a dangerous climbing expedition will convince even the most die-hard couch potato that such pursuits fall within the realm of the sane. As the author struggles ever higher, readers learn of the mountain's awesome power, the beautiful--and sometimes deadly--sheets of blue glacial ice, and the accomplishment of a successful ascent. And then catastrophe: the second half of Touching the Void sees Simpson at his darkest moment. With a smashed, useless leg, he and his partner must struggle down a near-vertical face--and that's only the beginning of their troubles.

Appalachian Trail on My Mind

Collective (authors) - The Globe Pequot Press (2003) - $29.95

Page after page of beautiful photographs coupled with eloquent observations convey the beauty--and mystique--of the Appalachian Trail. Stretching more than 2,150 miles through 14 states from Georgia to Maine, this epic footpath has captured the heart and imagination of multitudes of hikers. For remembering an old trek or planning a new one, this book is the perfect keepsake.