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DISTANCE: 3 miles TYPE: Out and back DIFFICULTY: Easy HIKING TIME: 1 hour |
There are few hikes in the Catskills that one might describe as truly easy. Even among those, hikes like Kaaterskill Falls and the Upper Platte Clove Waterfall pose numerous dangers if hikers happen to wander off the trail where they shouldn’t. The Ashokan Promenade walk is almost certainly the easiest and safest hike in the whole of the Catskill Park, but no less significant of a destination for that. Indeed, this massive reservoir 13 miles west of the city of Kingston offers an important glimpse into the history of the region and its long, give-and-take relationship with the wealthy metropolis that lies 90 miles to the south.
The Ashokan Reservoir was constructed in the early twentieth century by the New York City Board of Water Supply, and at the time was one of the largest reservoirs in the world. Nonetheless, local opponents to the reservoir argued that, however considerable its size, it still would not be able to hold enough water to meet New York City’s needs. After years of negotiations, the reservoir was finally built between 1907 and 1915 by impounding the Esopus Creek and submerging twelve small towns and thousands of acres of farmland. Roughly two thousand residents were displaced by the creation of the reservoir.
The reservoir is the start of the 92-mile-long Catskill Aqueduct, which supplies about 40 percent of New York City’s water. At full capacity, the reservoir can hold almost 123 billion US gallons.
GETTING THERE
Take Exit 19 (Kingston) from the New York State Thruway, then make a slight right onto NY-28 West. Stay on NY-28 West for 3.4 miles, then turn left onto Waughkonk Road. Immediately after, turn right onto NY-28A West. Continue for 10.8 miles. Shortly after you pass the intersection with NY-213, the parking area will be on your right.
Typing “Ashokan Promenade Parking Area” into Google Maps will navigate you to the parking area.
THE TRAIL
There aren’t many opportunities to get lost at the Ashokan Promenade. While the walkway runs for almost a mile and a half, you will be constrained to the promenade itself for the duration of the walk, an old roadway with guardrails to ensure you don’t wander astray.
A barrier has been constructed to prevent cars from the parking area from driving across the promenade. Cross the barrier to find the roadway stretching straight along the banks of the reservoir. To your left is a sign designating this as the former site of Olive City and Olivebridge, which existed before the construction of the reservoir.
HISTORIC SIGHTS NEAR THE WATER’S EDGE
Because this is an active reservoir and thus the water needs to stay clean, activities at Ashokan Reservoir are severely restricted. Boating and logging are by permit only, and it is illegal to bring gas-powered motorboats onto the reservoir, due to concerns of gasoline leakage into the water supply. Swimming is also prohibited. Fortunately, the views over the water (particularly the profile of Ashokan High Point towering to the west) are stunning from just about anywhere.
