"But in assaulting a mountain, as in assaulting a fort, boldness is the watchword." -John Burroughs If you're new to the Catskills or are a seasoned hiker, it never hurts to revisit some of the historical sites associated with the park. Naturalist and author, John Burroughs, is credited with bringing the Catskills into the national conversation, and his properties and hiking routes are worth the trek. Burroughs’ Youth Burroughs was born April 3, 1837, the seventh of ten child

How naturalist and birder Dan Smiley inadvertently helped make tthe Catskills even more of a destination. Dan Smiley may not be a household name, but he should be recognized for helping make the Catskills one. Born in the shadows of the world-renowned-by-rock-climbers Shawangunk Mountains in New Paltz, NY, Smiley was almost literally born to be a naturalist. His family owned what is now the Mohonk Preserve and he spent his entire childhood working at the Mohonk Mountain House