Latest News

Panoramic view from look out on Tusten Mountain Trail.

Take A Hike! on the Tusten Mountain Trail

TUSTEN – Do you enjoy being in the great 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 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 Tusten Mountain Trail can be found by turning off of Route 97, onto Crawford Road, parking at the Ten Mile River Access and following Ten Mile River Road on foot, crossing over the historic stone arch bridge to the trail head on your right-hand side.  Managed in partnership with the Greater New York Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Tusten Mountain Trail is blazed by yellow dots and markers and is one of the trails included in the Take A Hike! brochure.  The Tusten Mountain Trail (Yellow Dot Trail) is the only trail on the Ten Mile River Scout Camp property that is open to the public.  Be respectful of private property and stay on the designated trail.

The Tusten Mountain Trail is a moderately difficult three-mile loop trail, which will take you through a wide variety of hardwood trees, and through historic remains of the Tusten Settlement.  The reward will be a magnificent view of the Upper Delaware River Valley once you climb to the summit.  With its offerings of a wide variety of flora and fauna, the foliage on this hike can be especially appreciated from late September through the end of October.  This trail is open during deer hunting season in late November and early December so caution during this time is advised and wearing bright visible clothing is suggested.  The Tusten Mountain Trail offers something for every hiker year-round.  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 Tusten Mountain 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.  Please be respectful of this trail and remember that it is carry-in, carry-out.  Please don’t litter.

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!

Archives

Search Posts