Outdoor Enthusiasts Live It Up in Tech Valley
Published Apr 15, 2004
A view of the Catskill Mountains
Encompassing a string of nearly 20 counties, New York’s Tech Valley hugs the Hudson River Valley as it extends north to the Canadian border. And while the region is widely known for its high-tech success stories, it also boasts a wealth of natural beauty and recreational opportunities.
In the northernmost stretches of the region, Lake Champlain and Lake George attract thousands of visitors each year. Whether you enjoy sailing, fishing or simply want to explore the area’s pristine beaches, Lake Champlain has something for everyone.
What started 26 years ago as a sailboat race in Plattsburgh on the western shore of Lake Champlain has become a seven-day music and water celebration known as the Mayor’s Cup Festival. Still highlighted by the sailing regatta and held each year on the second Saturday in July, the festival now hosts a week of free music and entertainment preceding the sailboat races.
“Early in the week, we tend to do some things for the older folks, and as the weekend gets closer, we turn up the volume and add a little more,” says Rick Dodge, promoter for the festival.
Just south of Lake Champlain, Lake George was recently named one of the nation’s top destinations for affordable family vacations by Smart Money magazine. The charming community offers a host of family and outdoor entertainment; an authentic steamboat paddlewheeler that takes visitors on a cruise of the lake is a local favorite.
The six-million acre Adirondack Park stands as one of the region’s most notable natural gems. Naturalist Verplanck Colvin in 1873 described the park as the “wonder and glory of New York.”
Roughly the size of New Hampshire, the park is within a day’s drive of 60
million people. From boating to scuba diving and horseback riding to snowmobiling, the Adirondacks offer a welcome respite from busy city life.
“The park offers the best of both worlds,” says Mike Brennan, environmental educator for the park agency. “You can hike to the top of a 4,000-foot mountain and go eat in a restaurant in the same afternoon.”
Near the southern extreme of the Tech Valley, the Catskill Mountains offer another popular mountain retreat. Encompassing more than 6,000 square miles of wildlife, forests, rivers and farmland, the Catskills are often referred to as America’s first wilderness. About 100 miles northeast of New York City, the area is home to more than 36 peaks of more than 3,500 feet plus six major river systems, making it a popular destination among city dwellers.
“People are drawn here by the nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation, which we have 365 days a year,” says Helen Budrock, assistant director of the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development.
Visitors can enjoy a wide range of recreational opportunities in the area, including hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, camping, biking, rock and ice climbing, canoeing, fishing, hunting, and birdwatching.
Along the southern edge of the Catskills, some of the region’s most exciting and challenging rock-climbing routes await outdoor enthusiasts.
Stretching along a 9-mile band near the town of New Paltz is a set of sheer quartz cliffs and outcroppings known as the Shawangunks – but better known to local climbers as the Gunks.
Considered one of the best rock-climbing sites in the East – and debatably the world – the area affords more than 500 well-defined climbs for beginners and experts alike.
A Mecca for rock climbers, the area has gained a reputation as being accessible to the public while maintaining a high level of challenge.
“It’s one of the only climbing areas that offers high-quality routes at all levels of climbing ability,” says Paul Curran, director of Diamond Sports and a 15-year veteran of Gunks climbing.
For those looking for a less strenuous outing, the Tech Valley’s abundant state parks offer visitors an opportunity to play or just enjoy some R&R.
Just east of Albany at the Connecticut border, Grafton Lakes State Park and Cherry Plain State Park boast a variety of outdoor activities.
With five ponds totaling 2,357 acres, Grafton Lakes will lure any angler. A quarter-mile sandy beach is there for those who would rather just relax with a good book.
Smaller and more remote than Grafton Lakes, Cherry Plain is perfect for the camper. Trailer sites and lakeside tent sites are available for overnight camping from early May until mid-October.
“[Cherry Plain] is a well-kept secret in this area,” says Park Manager Tom Conklin. “It’s on a dirt road and people almost have to search for it.”
Farther south in Columbia County near the Massachusetts and Connecticut borders, Lake Taghkanic State Park and Taconic State Park also have much to offer.
With its two beaches, picnic grounds and boat launch, Lake Taghkanic is ideally suited for the water enthusiast. In addition, the park offers hiking, biking, and cross-country ski and snowmobile trails. Winter visitors can also ice-skate and ice-fish.
Nearby, Taconic State Park’s two developed areas – Copake Falls and Rudd Pond – offer an extensive trail system with challenging terrain and spectacular views. The pond and Bash Bish Brook are also favorite getaways for trout fishing.
Story by Tom Gillespie
Photo by Antony Boshier
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