Gratitude is not only the memory but the homage of the heart rendered to God for his goodness.
-Nathanial Parker Willis
Although these words were spoken long ago, they mean everything to this conscious local whose parents joined the fight for better or worse over this beautiful mountain.
Environmental politics were in turmoil in the 1960’s. Something N.P. Willis did not have to bear in his life as a 19th century writer when he settled near what the early Dutch described as a “ lump of butter rising above the Hudson River”. Originally named “Butter Hill”, hence the prior description, Willis suggested the mountain be renamed “Storm King”. In his day, clouds descending it’s slopes in the early morning were considered “the most sure fire teller of a storm”.
In my time we may not refer to the mountain as a meteorologist, but we can refer to it as a strong landmark by thwarting a most significant environmental disaster we could have ever imagined. The was year 1962, and Consolidated Edison announced plans to build a hydropower plant carved into the side of this mountain.
Storm King Mountain became a pioneer in the environmental movement and set a precedent in the turbulent fight that ensued to protect this mountain culminating in the “Storm King Doctrine “. By becoming a legal instrument for scenic preservation this mountain caused the American conscience to reach it’s highest level inciting Pres. Lyndon Johnson to pledge in his 1965 state of the union address, “ to end the poisoning of our rivers and the air we breath”.
The magnificent terrain of Storm King Mountain was originally preserved by Dr. Ernest Stillman, a New York physician. In 1922 he gave approximately 700 acres in Storm King Clove to the Palisades Park Commission, (PIPC), to ensure the preservation of the beautiful surroundings of the old Storm King Highway, known to most as Rt. 218. This tract of land now forms the foreground to the eastward view from the present Storm King Highway (U.S. Rt. 9W), before turning west in it’s decent towards Cornwall.
The ruins on the mountain you see are usually a mystery to most. How they came to be is a true “rags to riches” story. Built by Albrecht Pagenstetcher Jr. in 1905, this once well maintained estate boasted a 20-room home named “ Upyonda” on the Storm King Property at the end of a winding, switchback driveway that is just over a mile long. The entrance of which remains flanked by two stone pillars guarding the entrance off the Mountain Rd. side of the yellow Stillman Trail.
Albrecht Jr.’s father, was an influential businessman in the latter part of the 19th century. He brought revolutionary technology to the American paper industry in 1866. Together with his cousins, Alberto and Rudolf they purchased the rights to the Voelter patent for making paper from ground wood.
Storm King Mountain is quite majestic indeed. At the northernmost part of the Highlands, the mountain is one of the most striking along the Hudson River. It’s looming eastern end rising sharply in sheer walls from the river to well over 1,300 feet. It’s rugged sides dropping sharply along the fault line that forms it’s steep northern walls, this mountain offers spectacularly fine views of the river.
Storm King park is open from dawn until dusk year round.
Hunting and camping not allowed.
Dogs are allowed but only on a 6ft. leash, and please pick up after them.
There are no garbage cans, please take care of your own garbage and take it out with you.
If you hike in the winter please be aware that the Stillman yellow trail on the north side of the mountain can be treacherous, sometimes choked with snow drifts and ice is there most of the cold months and can stay until March.
No comments:
Post a Comment