Watkins Glen to Liberty through the Catskill Mountains
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 29-10-2021
Route Summary
Route 7: Great Lakes Tour.A route of two halves. The first half through an uncomplicated, easy riding agricultural landscape that becomes more undulating and twisty and therefore more exciting as you enter the playground of the Catskill Park.
The scenery and roads have earned this route 4**** stars.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
4h 42m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
321.23 km
Countries
The Catskill Mountains.
RouteXpert Review
This is the seventh route of a tour from Chicago to New York visiting the 5 Great Lakes of North America, starting from EagleRider Motorcycle rental at Illinois Harley-Davidson in Chicago and ending in New York City.Within minutes of the start of this route, you will see the Shequaga Falls in the village of Montour Falls.
The name "Montour" is derived from Queen Catherine Montour, a powerful and prominent Native American woman of Seneca Indian heritage who lived at the village site in the 18th century.
Set 50 m back from the road, the 156 feet (47 m) high waterfall has a royal connection. Louis Philippe I was destined to be King of France and on a tour of the new world, stopped off to sketch the Shequaga Falls. The sketch and later painting would survive the Revolution of 1848 to eventually be housed at the Louvre, Paris.
The route can be divided into two halves, the first half will take you east through charming and unhurried agricultural land passing through the occasional small hamlet on your way to Bainbridge for lunch. I have suggested Dunkin Donuts but there are several other establishments.
Bainbridge was originally settled by Native Americans of the Iroquois nations. During the American Revolution, these tribes became allies of the British and commenced raids on American settlements. In 1779, George Washington ordered the Sullivan Expedition into what is today Upstate New York. When General James Clinton reached the Bainbridge area, the tribes had already fled to sanctuary in Upper Canada. Clinton's forces destroyed their homes and crops, including their winter stores.
After Lunch, State Highway 206 takes you towards the Catskill Mountains on an ever twisty and hilly road. Catskill Park starts as you reach the the East Branch of the Delaware River. A little further on is the Downsville Dam that forms the Pepacton Reservoir. The reservoir supplies New York City with nearly 25% of its drinking water. You will follow the reservoir and river for 25 miles on a great twisty road to the hamlet of Margaretville. You can stop for a coffee here before heading deep into the Catskill Park.
Big Indian is reached at RP 20. There's quite a story as to why it was named so:
Once a Munsee Native American man named Winnisook (the name means "snowfall") lived near Marbletown, New York; because of his height of about seven feet, he was also called Big Indian. He was in love with a local woman, Gertrude Molyneux, who eventually loved him as well; because her parents opposed the match, they arranged a marriage with one Joseph Bundy. Disliking Bundy, Gertrude eloped with Winnisook into the wilderness. Some years later, a party of people searching for a missing cow was led by Bundy; still seeking revenge, he accused "that big Indian" of stealing the cow. When they finally found Winnisook, Bundy shot him with his rifle and injured him severely; after being left alone, Winnisook crawled to a pine tree where Gertrude found him later dying. After Winnisook's death and burial, Gertrude and her children moved to the site; the hamlet of Big Indian later developed at that location. Local lore holds that the pine tree stood until the railroad through Big Indian was built in the 1880s.
The route continues to twist and turn climb and descend following creeks and valleys through the wonderful playground that is -The Catskill Mountains.
The route ends at a Days Inn hotel in the town of Liberty. The next route is the final route of this Grand Lakes tour that will take you into New York City.
RP 3. Montour Falls.
RP 26. Neversink Dam and Reservoir.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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