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Haines'
Corners at the end of the succeeding two miles, which are sure
to challenge the admiration, even at this late stage of the journey. Another
lively station is this, nearly 2,000 feet above the sea. You are now at
the  head
of the famous Kaaterskill Clove, of which there is but one, and the
like of which there is no other. For entrancing beauty of situation it
has no equal. The view down the great canyon to, the Hudson and beyond,
is grand and beautiful, defying all description of pen or brush, and there
is rare native charm on every hand. Nothing which man has done-and there
is much of his work here-has been able to despoil the mighty chiseling
of Nature in this great clove, nor even divert the attention for a moment
from the sublime and transcendent vastness of this scene. Here at the
head of the canyon the water plunges madly over the precipice 160 feet
in height, - and then descends by a series of cascades and rapids 1,200
feet more in four miles, to Palenville, on its woodland way to the Hudson.
Half way down, it is joined by the Kaaterskill stream which tumbles in
from the lateral gorge on the left. It is not strange, of course, that
people love to linger here, as there are many good hotels, large and small.
Just over the falls, and on the massive slope of Mount Lincoln, which
here towers 3,664 feet in the air and forms the great south wall of the
clove, several parks have been established. These will be seen most effectively
soon after the train leaves the station. The first is Sunset
Park, above the falls,
then follows Twilight and Santa Cruz Parks with their many attractive
cottages, casinos and club houses, which together make a very extensive
settlement here in the woods in picturesque contrast to the unrivaled
mountain setting. A summer home here, with housekeeping cares and fashion
at the minimum, and Mrs. Grundy in abeyance, must be, and is, highly enjoyable.
As the train moves onward
through this historic region,
with the gorge now on the right,
you will need to be alert to catch
sleeps even a passing glimpse of the
many objects of interest that appear in quick succession. Through the trees on the right, just before reaching the next station, two miles above, will be seen the celebrated Kaaterskill Falls, which "Natty Bumpo"
called "the best piece of work in the woods."
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