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Wittenberg Mountain LbNA #2311

Owner:budster
Plant date:Jul 21, 2002
Location:
City:Phoenicia
County:Ulster
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: budster
Last found:Oct 19, 2008
Status:O
Last edited:Jul 21, 2002
SitRep: May 10,2009 ... Letterbox is no longer at the top of the mountain.... it is about 150feet down elevation. contact budster to help in finding this letterbox.

This letterbox was moved today (05/10/09). It used to be down off to the left of the ledge. To get to it, go right to the edge of the ledge by the tallest spruce tree. Step down 3 feet , carefully go across to the level space. At the ledge side around the corner there is a flat rock on a slant. Under this is a flat rock. There is only a piece of paper here where the letterbox was once hidden.

WITTENBERG MOUNTAIN LETTERBOX
PHOENICIA, NY

From where this letterbox is hidden is one of the most unobstructed beautiful views from one of the higher mountains in the Catskills. From here you can look over the Ashokan Reservoir and see the Shawangunk Mountains and on a clear day even the Rhinecliff bridge and over to the Berkshires. Overlooking all the southern mountains in the Catskills and across the hudson valley. The day we did the hike - hazy clouds rolled in! , your
chances for a clear day and view are excellent.

Destination: Wittenberg Mountain (elevation 3780 feet)

Location: Catskill Forest Preserve , NY
Southern Catskill Trails Map #43 (K6 grid)

Nearest Town: Phoenicia, Ulster County

Original Letterbox hidden on 7-21-02 at 11am by J & G and nephew Stevie

Stamp Design: Paw Print (A-696 Petaluma,CA)

Round Trip Distance: 7 miles, (a good 3 hours hiking time one way) tough hike!, in good weather. Dangerous ledges to scale in a few places.

Terrain Difficulty: Very Difficult, lots of steep ledges to climb near the top, but this is a State maintained trail all the way. This is one of the most difficult hikes in the Catskills because you have to climb up through vertical ledges near the last 1/4 mile of the hike. The view makes it all worth it.

Directions:

1) Park at the Woodland Valley State park. $5.00 per day (2008 rate) when park is open otherwise it's free.
2) Trail starts by the first campsite along the stream when you first enter the park.
3) There is a wooden foot bridge that gets you over the stream.
4) Follow this trail up the mountain for 2.6 miles. (about 2 hours)
5) At this intersection spot is a large flat rock which makes for a good place to have a snack.

6) From here the hike gets more challenging as you quickly gain elevation. 1.3 miles to the top, should take you 1 hour.

At the top will be a large ledge to sit on.

Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.