Catskills Tallest Mountain

CROWN OF THE CATSKILLS

Before Europeans arrived, Slide stood tall in the homeland of the Lenape and Mohican peoples. No written record preserves their name for this peak (at least to my knowledge), but this land was their territory for thousands of years — known and traveled long before any surveyor pulled out a measuring tape.

The name "Slide" came about in 1819 when a massive landslide scarred the northern face, creating a mark you could spot from miles away. For decades after, the peak remained largely unexplored, just a distant silhouette on the horizon that few bothered to climb.

Meanwhile, locals debated which mountain truly claimed the title of Catskills' highest peak. The question wasn't settled until Arnold Henry Guyot, a Princeton geographer, confirmed Slide as the champion at 4,180 feet. Around this time, some pushed to rename the peak to "Mount Lincoln" in honor of the president, but the new name never stuck.

As the 1880s rolled in, loggers began eyeing the region's timber with dollar signs in their eyes. But New York stepped in by establishing the Forest Preserve in 1885, with Slide protected the following year. Soon the mountain found its true champion, naturalist John Burroughs, whose writing changed how people viewed wild places. From the summit, he wrote of a spot where "the works of man dwindle" — helping transform wilderness in people's minds from something to use, into something worth saving.

The first public trail was cut in 1892 and those same trails still bring us to the summit today, where we find exactly what Burroughs did all those years ago: perspective.

A HISTORY

I've been dabbling with an idea… perhaps a crazy one: writing a book. This would be no academic text but a companion to the Catskills that explores its rich history and wildlife as a thoughtful and approachable collection.

To be clear, this would be my first book. So who knows how it will go. But as always, I bring the idea to my fellow Crew Members to decide. If there's interest, I’ll start plotting and bring you all into the fold so you can share thoughts on which aspects of Catskill history or nature you're most curious about.

GATHER

Mark your calendars - I teamed up with my friends over at Covered Bridge Campsite in Livingston Manor for a good ol’ fashioned hang in the woods. We will have free beer and BBQ provided by West Kill Brewing and The Smoke Joint. The campsite is tucked up against the Willowemoc River, so if you have a fly rod, you should probably bring it. Come by, hang with some friends, and meet some neighbors. P.S. if you want to stay at the campsite, Covered Bridge is hooking folks up with 20% off. Details inside this little link here. RSVP SO WE GET ENOUGH BEER & FOOD

THE BULLETIN

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 25,000 friends?

Neuland Social Club is a new kind of social club in Stone Ridge… by and for makers, creatives, doers and visionaries who enjoy the company of others and a good ROI (Return of Inspiration). Find out more at neulandny.com

Sea Change is a small-scale, woman-run flower farm in Accord, NY, growing flowers with regenerative farming practices. They are launched the Arrangers' Club, a new weekly flower membership for creative souls who love the art of flower arranging. Meet other flower-lovers, grow your flower-arranging skills, and take home a weekly bundle of fresh flowers, curated to help you create a beautiful arrangement for your home.  Join the Arrangers’ Club Today.

REPORT

ADOPT PETS

I’d like you to meet Tundra the Great Pyrenees, Hazel a Domesic Short Hair mix, and for the first time ever, Tanya the Red-Eared Slide.

LAND 

Found us a little cottage in Elka Park that has big windows, a trendy refrigerator, a wood stove for the cold nights, and a split unit for the hot days that are ahead.

GAME

Want to add an event? Use the link below.
Want a Featured Event with a poster? Reach out and say hi. 

Hop on over for a complimentary, family-friendly Easter Egg Hunt in The Hills. Grab your baskets and get ready for a day of Easter magic! RSVP

TUESDAY 15TH

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Performance by Inmaterial Possession, Larry Locust, and RAGER from 8-10:30pm tix and details

WEDNESDAY 16TH

Catskill Center, Mount Tremper - Volunteer Orientation: Catskills Visitor Center Volunteers at 10am learn more

The Pines, Mount Tremper - Live music with Carl Mateo, Peter Dougan, Erik Parker, and Kyle Esposito smash burgers

Tubby's, Kingston - Live music with Fan Club, Pyrex, and Spirokete at 7pm check it out

Senate Garage, Kingston - Nourish Yourself Spring Class Series at 12pm info

HPAC, Hurleyville - April Sip & Craft: Paint & Plant at 6pm info

The Falcon, Marlboro - Hudson Valley Jazz Jam in the Underground at 7pm details

THURSDAY 17TH

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - Ripe with Dylan Chambers at 7pm check it out

The Local, Saugerties - Psychedelic Moroccan Gnawa Rock: Bab L' Bluz at 7pm more info

Bridge Street Theatre, Catskill - Polishing Shakespeare at 7:30pm get a tix

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - Performances by Lee Baines, Icebox Cake, and Hashishen from 8-10:30pm more info

Mel’s at 22, Cooperstown - Local Collab Beer Dinner with Ommegang Tap House from 6-9pm rsvp

Skate Time, Accord - Thursday Adult Nite Lite from 6-9pm have fun

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Film: A Place At The Table at 7pm get a tix

Tubby's, Kingston - An evening with Zoh Amba - songs and her Sun Trio at 7pm learn more

West Kill Supply, Kingston - Backyard Pizza Pop Up 

Rough Draft, Kingston - Trivia Night 6-9pm

FRIDAY 18TH

Levon Helm Studios, Woodstock - Jethro Tull's Martin Barre - Tull Tales at 8pm grab your tix

Tinker Street Tavern, Woodstock - Soul Patrol at 8pm have fun

Left Bank Ciders, Catskill - Northern Spy Reading Series: Marie-Helene Bertino & Ted Dodson at 6:30pm read more books

Starlite Motel, Kerhonkson - Catskills Cocktail Club and Diego’s Taqueria from 5-10pm sip sip

Bailiwick Animal Park, Catskill - Easter Egg Hunt at 10am they have a bengal tiger in catskill?

Avalon Lounge, Catskill - This Party Is Killing You! AKA: The Robyn Party at 9pm deets

The Local, Saugerties - Robert Burke Warren does Randy Newman with Dennis Yerry at 8pm details

Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston - Ways of Learning: An Apprentice Boatbuilder in Japan with Douglas Brooks info

Tubby's, Kingston - Performance by Corridor and Robber Robber at 7pm tix

West Kill Supply, Kingston - Ethical Drift Dj from 6-9pm info

The Half Moon, Hudson - Live music with SESSA / Ofir Ganon at 8pm details

SATURDAY 19TH

Arrowood Farms, Accord - Easter Celebration with live music, easter egg hunt, face painting, and of course, a potato sack race from 2-5pm info

Darlings, Tillson - Country Night with The Maybrooks enjoy

Bearsville Theatre, Woodstock - 90’s vs 2000’s Hip Hop and Reggae Dance Party at 7pm love it

Scribner's Lodge, Hunter - Mini Market: Hudson House Distillery & Monarch & Lily from 1-5pm details

Domes Dispensary, Kingston - The 2025 Kingston Crown Cannabis Competition with food trucks, live music, and more from 12-6pm god speed

Phoenicia Playhouse, Phoenicia - Flying Cat Music Series with Blue Cactus at 7pm more info

The Department Of Things, Kingston - BYOB Clay Workshop from 1-3pm sign up

Catskill Brewery, Livingston Manor - WrestleMania 2025 at 7pm amazing

North American Cultural Laboratory, Highland Lake - Luminescence, a hybrid performance event and ritual awakening dance party from 7:30-11:30pm check it out

Lost Book Shop, Delhi - An Evening of Poetry with Delaware County Pride at 6pm details

Hawk + Hive, Andes - Rescheduled opening reception for Funny Feeling, new exhibition by Brian Cirmo’s 2-6pm details

The Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale - Saturday Creature Features: Bela Lugosi Fright Night at 7:30pm tix

Tubby's, Kingston - Dose The Rondout 420 bash at 6pm have fun

White Feather Farm, Saugerties - Little Seedlings: Beeswax Wonder for ages 3-7 craft

SUNDAY 20TH

Julia's Local, Round Top - Easter Sunday Lunch from 1-6pm check the menu

The Wire, Coxsackie - Easter Dining from 11:30am-4:30pm make a reservation

Wayside Cider, Andes - Garage Sale at 12pm read more

Andes Hotel, Andes - Easter Celebration 11am check it out

Sunshine Colony, Livingston Manor - Movie Night: The Dead Don’t Die at 5pm info

West Kill Supply, Kingston - 4/20 Party cheers

MONDAY 21ST

Why are Mondays so quiet… someone fix this!

Scramble Answer: BLUE STONE