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The early fall can be a great time of year to get outdoors!  Have you heard of Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River’s Take a Hike! program?  To get people to enjoy the outdoors and hiking, Upper Delaware has partnered with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the Pennsylvania Game Lands, Sullivan County, NY, Boy Scouts of America, and Damascus Township, PA to create the Take A Hike! program which includes six local trails.

 

The Bouchoux Trail in Lordville, NY can be found by turning off Route 97, onto Lordville Road, following it for 3 miles until coming to Bouchoux Road.  Turn left onto Bouchoux Road and travel 2.8 miles until reaching the end of the road.  The trail head is on the left side at the end of the cul-de-sac.  Managed in partnership with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, the Bouchoux Trail offers one of the most photogenic views of the Upper Delaware River Valley and is one of the trails included in the Take A Hike! brochure.

 

The Bouchoux Trail is a moderately difficult two mile out and back trail with a beginning that has a steep incline with uneven footing.  The reward will be an amazing panoramic view of the Upper Delaware River Valley once you climb to the summit and get out to Jensen’s Ledges.  The summit makes a great destination to enjoy a picnic lunch and appreciate the views.  To find the waterfall, bluestone remains, and the ledges, take the trails to the right once nearing the summit.  The evidence of the area’s once booming bluestone quarrying industry can be seen in large bluestone piles in several areas along the trail.  The foliage on this hike can be especially appreciated during the peak of leaf peeping season, through the end of October.  Dogs are also welcome on this trail but must be kept on a leash.

 

Upper Delaware’s “Take a Hike!” brochure highlights six local hikes and provides the names, locations, descriptions, and difficulty levels of trails all found in the Upper Delaware Valley.  It also provides a checklist to keep track of the trails you’ve hiked which can be turned in upon completion at Upper Delaware’s park headquarters or the Zane Grey Museum as well as mailing to the park for the coveted “Take a Hike!” patch.  Taking advantage of this local hiking program is a great way to get out and learn more about the beautiful natural and cultural resources of this region, whether you are visiting the area for the first time or are a lifelong resident who may not have ever know about these trails.  This resource is available on the web at www.nps.gov/upde/planyourvisit/take-a-hike.htm or by calling (570) 685-4871 and asking a park ranger to put a copy in the mail for you.

 

When hiking Bouchoux Trail or any other trail it is always a good rule of thumb to be prepared by wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bringing plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, tick/insect repellant, binoculars, and a hat.  It’s also good practice to do a thorough tick check once you’re off the trail.  Ticks can still be very prominent this time of year.  Please be respectful of this trail and remember that it is carry-in, carry-out.  Please don’t litter.

 

If you do find yourself enjoying the Bouchoux Trail this fall, take a minute to post your adventures on Upper Delaware’s social media pages.  You can tag @upperdelawarenps on Instagram and use #UpperDelaware #TakeAHike #SullivanCountyCatskills when posting on Facebook.

 

If you are seeking even more hiking opportunities close by, look at the Trail Keeper (www.trailkeeper.org) page for plenty of hiking options throughout Sullivan County, New York.  Happy Hiking!

Caption: Earn yourself a Take A Hike! patch! Take all six Upper Delaware hikes this season.