47mi from Jefferson Valley-Yorktown · 1 site · Lodging · Kerhonkson, NYThis 17-acre site has diverse habitats, from an upland pine and hardwood forest to wild native meadows full of blueberries, asters and milkweed. The most special feature is a large tributary and creek waterway system with areas of wetland. Once choked with invasive plants, it is now a largely restored native plant and wildlife habitat that supports migrating herons, trout, amphibians and clouds of Monarch and other butterflies. In the fall I've seen Monarchs circle up in vortexes from the meadows and take off on their migration. There are several large swimming holes where the creek turns or joins with its tributary. Bridges have been installed over the tributary and over brooklets feeding into it.
A lot of care and love is going into this land. Over 500 native trees planted along the creek banks are growing into a forest - you'll see many still in protective tubes and cages. Thousands of native pollinator ground-plants have been planted or sprung up on their own, some like tiny flowering gems on the shady forest floors.
The old stone walls running through the property and around its boundaries speak to its history as a farm and an apple orchard. Swimming, hiking, fishing and bird-and-wildlife watching will fascinate you in this dynamic landscape that is constantly coming closer to what used to exist hundreds of years ago and is now reestablishing itself.
In the vicinity, there's Tetta's, a deli/cafe/gas station and small emporium with made-to-order pizza, local raw honey, mushroom, crafts, and all kinds of food, pretty much everything you need; it's been in the family for generations. Find it Northeast on Samsonville Road (County Rt. 3) at the junctions of Rts. 2 & 3. There's a hike to a waterfall if you drive a few miles down Upper Cherrytown Road from the end of Sundown Road: you'll see a parking lot with signs for the falls; the DEC-maintained trail is across the road (https://www.catskillmountaineer.com/SD-vernooy-falls-east.html). There's venues nearby along Rt. 209 with local musicians on Saturday nights: places like The Outpost Barbeque, 6611 Rt. 209 in Kerhonkson, Lydia's Cafe at 7 Old US Hwy 209, Stone Ridge. Near Lydia's is a favorite afternoon hang-out, Cherries Roadside and General, which not only has literally hundreds of ice cream flavors, but an excellent, informal restaurant. I can talk to you about many other fun places.