92 Mr. Fierce on the Catskill Mountains. 



and streams, upon the broad back of the chain, to great 

 advantage. To tlie west, wild wood-clad ranges and moun- 

 tains piled on mountains met the eye. 



A considerable diversity is presented in the views from 

 the Catskill heights, sometimes the valley is filled with 

 clouds resembling a boundless ocean, while the insulated 

 summits are in the enjoyment of sunshine and a clear sky — 

 ])ut in motion by the wind, the clouds of the valley roll like 

 the waves of a tempestuous sea, and storms are often seen 

 sweeping far below, shroudiiig a part of the landscape in 

 midniuht darkness. You may hear the thunder roll, and 

 see the lightning play beneath your feet, while the mountain 

 heights and pnrts of the valley are cheered by the sun's rays. 

 Thij mountain woodland scenery, is particularly interesting — 

 dressed in the gay diversified colors of autumn, when the 

 foliage of the Maple, Beach, Oak, Birch, &c. is dyed with 

 scarlet, purple and orange, intermingled with the dark ver- 

 dure of evergreens. 



From the Platterkill table land, some of the peaks to the 

 south west appear almost as high as the Round top. The 

 prospects from their summits to the south and southwest is 

 represented as being very striking. The quantity of hem- 

 lock in the southern section of the mountains seerns inex- 

 haustible. A tannery on an extensive scale might be advan- 

 tageously established at the base of the Platterkill clove — sev- 

 eral fine mill seats are there unoccupied ; the distance from 

 that place to the nearest landing on the Hudson, is about 

 eight miles, and there are no heavy intervening hills. Trout 

 are abundant in many parts of the Platterkill, Kauterskill, 

 Schoharie and most of the mountain streams. 



About three miles south of the Platterkill and at a great 

 elevation above the Hudson, a deep body of water one mile 

 in circtunference, called Shues lake is situated, and is envi- 

 roned by an amphitheatre of wild, rocky, and steep moun- 

 tains. It contains trout of large size. 



A mineral spring of a chalybeate character, is said to oc- 

 cur in its vicinity. A mill stream called Saw-mill Creek has 

 its origin in this lake and winds rapidly for five miles down 

 the mountain glens without presenting any considerable 

 falls. Passing through the valley of Woodstock, it be- 

 comes auxiliary to Saugerties creek. A beautiful circu- 

 lar basin of water four miles in circumference, called Shan- 

 dairo lake is situated in tlie southern section of the moun- 



