CATSKILL MOUNTAINS (ante), a part of the Appalachian system w. of the Hud son, river in Greene co., N. Y. The group, about 12 m. long, nearly parallel with the river about, 8 in. distant, turns westward in spurs extending many- miles. Besides the Ulster and Delaware railroad, beginning at Kingston and leading w. into the moun tains, there is a good wagon road from Catskill village to the "Mountain House." 12 m. w., which is a favorite summering place. The house stands on a terrace 2.231 ft. above the river, and almost at the edge of a perpendicular cliff several hundred ft. high. There is another public house on Overlook mountain, a few miles to the s., which is estimated to be 3,800 ft. above tide. The views from these houses and from the neigh boring peaks are wonderfully varied and beautiful, reaching from the Green mountains in Vermont to the highlands at West Point, and taking in nearly 100 m. of the Hudson river and valley. with numerous cities and villages, and a vast expanse of highly culti vated farming country. An immense number of summer boarders are accommodated
through all this region, not only in hotels, but also in countless farm-houses and village homes. One of the highest points is the top of Overlook, 3,800 feet. The other prom ir.ent elevations are Hunter mountain, High peak, and Round Top. One of the sights of the region ts "The Clove," or ravine, and the falls therein. The ravine is about 5 m. Tong. At its head two rivulets unite and flow rapidly to a point where the mountain divides and forms a deep hollow into which the brook rushes over a cascade of 180 ft.; and further down are other falls, one of 80 and another of 40 feet. The ice formation in winter around the highest fall is particularly grand and beautiful. There are other ravines and water-falls in the region, but none equally important. The mountains are for the most part covered with thick forests of oak, hickory, ash, maple, beech, pine, etc.