Hikin' Overlook Mountain

Memorial Day weekend my family always goes upstate New York, and this year was no exception! Joining the 4 Russian clansmen were my brother's gal and my guy. One day we drove over to Woodstock, NY to hike Overlook Mountain (peak elevation: 3,140'). The hike is 5 miles round trip along a gravel road that is often complained about (check Yelp or ask my mom!), but at the top are old hotel ruins, a fire tower to bring you even closer to the heavens, and 360 views of the Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountains including the Hudson River and Ashokan Reservoir. We took a long break at the top, so the hike was about 3.5 hours Woodstock NY. At the bottom of the trailhead we visited the Tibetan Buddhist temple Karma Triyana Dharmachakra and then had a well deserved lunch in town. I recommend this hike because of all of the gloriousness you find at the top - pack a nice lunch and spend some time enjoying the views and ruins.



Overlook Mountain House or the "Old Hotel Ruins" is the site where between the early 1800s and 1940 three hotels were built and burned down. The area was temporarily prime retail for the elite who wanted to spend a few nights in the mountains but sleeping in a luxury hotel instead of camping. However, the location and accessibility proved to be dismal, the 3rd hotel was never finished but made out of concrete - Morris Newgold wanted something less flammable, more durable. Durable he got - the site has suffered at least one more fire since it was boarded up in the 1940s, but it continues to stand and provide for an interesting stopover on the Overlook Mountain hike.

My dad's crazy beard.

Made it to the fire tower!

This is what the hikin' boots see.

The gang's all here.

Me and my sweetheart.

My hilarious mama.

Tibetan Buddhist temple Karma Triyana Dharmachakra

Tibetan Buddhist temple Karma Triyana Dharmachakra

Tibetan Buddhist temple Karma Triyana Dharmachakra