Three Great Hudson Valley Hikes with Waterfalls

An experienced businessman, Shreenivas Shah serves as president and CEO of BabyVision, Inc., in Poughkeepsie, New York. Recreationally, Shreenivas Shah enjoys hiking. The Hudson Valley boasts a number of excellent hiking locations, including several that include beautiful waterfalls.

Perhaps the most popular waterfall hike is Kaaterskill Falls, which is the highest two-tier waterfall in the state. The short hike is only about two miles round trip, but the elevation gain is more than 500 feet, so it can still be a bit of a challenge. Hikers should be prepared to deal with crowds, but the gorgeous views are worth it.

Dover Stone Church is another path with a great waterfall view. Located in Dover Plains, this path crosses a brook and heads into a large cave that looks almost like the entrance to a cathedral, which is how the trail got its name. While the waterfall is beautiful, the sound of the water crashing echoes through the cave for a truly remarkable experience.

Hikers may also want to check out Awosting Falls in Minnewaska State Park. While hiking to the falls, individuals get to follow along Peter’s Kill and see it cut through the rocks. For some added excitement, individuals can follow the carriageway to Sheldon Falls and see the remains of a stone power station from 1922.

A Few Online Resources for New Stargazers

Shreenivas Shah currently serves as president and CEO of BabyVision, Inc. Headquartered in upstate New York, the company manufactures high-quality infant clothing under brand names such as Luvable Friends and Yoga Sprout. Away from the office, Shreenivas Shah counts traveling, hiking, and stargazing among his favorite leisure activities.

The art of stargazing, pursued ever since people began to look up and wonder, continues to be popular with adults and children in today’s busy world. Veteran stargazers point out that reading the map of the heavens usually isn’t any more difficult than finding the focal points on a map of the earth. 

Magazines such as Sky & Telescope, which has served amateur and professional astronomers since 1941, offer online advice for beginners, as well as downloadable astronomical charts and calendars. The One-Minute Astronomer is another good source for new stargazers, offering seasonal sky maps and an annotated list of commonly seen celestial objects. Additionally, the American Association of Amateur Astronomers website provides links to other astronomy-related sites, as well as information on local clubs and a guidebook to the history and practice of the science.