Huggins Lake
This past Sunday I went on my first hike of the summer to Huggins Lake. I went with my friend and summertime roommate, Ashley. During the day, when I’m not interning at the Catskill Mountainkeeper, Ashley and I spend our days gardening, reading, cooking, and (now) hiking.
Ashley had hiked this trail a few days earlier and had warned me about its rigorous incline. We rode our bikes to the trail head and started our march uphill. (The trail head is on Berry/Holiday Brook Road, about a mile south of Henderson Hollow Road in Delaware County. Car parking is available.) We played games and chatted to pass the time as we grew out of breath. But before we knew it (after 1.9 miles, to be exact) the trail opened up to Huggins Lake. We promptly dropped our shorts and jumped into the chilly lake. There was a small clearing with a site for a campfire where we snacked on peanut butter and honey sandwiches.
After chowing down, we laced up our sneakers and headed back down the trail. The way back was much speedier (we had to be careful not to twist our ankles!) and we soon got back to our bikes. When returned home our bodies felt well-used. All-in-all it was a super hike; it was just difficult enough to give us a feeling of accomplishment and it only took about two hours (including the bike ride). I’d recommend it as a great trail for a fairly quick but rigorous excursion. Check it out!
Happy hiking!
Eleanor Blakeslee-Drain (Catskill Mountainkeeper Intern)
Flowers around Huggins Lake
Huggins Lake trail
