CATSKILL MOUNTAINS, a group of moderate elevation pertaining to the Allegheny plateau and not included in the Ap palachian system because they lack the internal structure and general parallelism of topographic features which characterize the Appalachian ranges. They are situated mainly in Greene and Ulster counties in the state of New York, with minor sections extending into Delaware and Schoharie counties. The Catskills rise to about the general height of the Highlands of Scotland or the Harz mountains of Germany, the group containing many summits above 3,00o ft. elevation and half a dozen approaching 4,000, Slide Mountain (4,204 ft.) and Hunter Mountain (4,025 ft.) being the only ones exceeding that figure.
The Catskills were not subject to the general folding which marked the elevation of the main ridges of the Appalachians. This gives the mountains the features of a carved plateau with scenery of a subdued type. There are, however, a number of rugged precipices on their outer faces and a number of deeply worn gorges called "cloves." Stony clove and Kaaterskill clove are picturesque gorges, the latter containing three cascades having a total fall of about 30o feet. The Devassego falls of the Scho harie are also strikingly picturesque. Some of the views which have become noted for their magnificent panorama are Pine Orchard ledge, where there is an unobstructed view of the moun tain region of Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire; Kaaterskill Knob, North Mountain outlook, Sunset rock, Prospect rock, and others. The mountains are, as a whole, well wooded quite up to their summits—pine, spruce, oak, hickory, beech, maple, rhododendron, and mountain laurel being common. The almost total absence of lakes is remarkable.
The pure and cool atmosphere attracts a multitude of summer visitors, for whose accommodation many hotels and cottages have been built. Access to all parts of the mountains is made possible by a railway and numerous motor highways. The grow ing use of the region for a vacation ground has led the state of New York to acquire a forest reserve, which in 1927 amounted to over 155,000 acres. The Catskill reservoirs are the principal source of New York city's water supply.