The Hudson Valley was named after the Dutch explorer Henry Hudson., who discovered the Hudson River. The valley along the Hudson is only 30 miles wide and can be one thousand feet high in certain places. Many important cities have been built in the valley including Albany, Schenectady (Sken-eck-tady), Kingston and Poughkeepsie (Po-kip-see). A plateau is an area of land that is higher than the regions around it. The Appalachian Plateau has many different land features, including the Catskill Mountains. The Catskill Mountains are located in the eastern part of the area and are part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. The Catskills reach heights of 4,000 feet. The mid-Hudson Valley and Southern Catskills are home to the Shawangunk Mountains, also known as “the Gunks.” The towns of New Paltz, Saugerties and Woodstock are located here. The fertile soils on the banks of the Hudson River make it ideal for fruit orchards, dairy farms and other farms. In fact, some of America’s best apples come from this region.
The Waterways The Hudson River Valley is 315 miles long. The River is 3.5 miles across at its widest point and 216 feet at its deepest part. You already know that the Hudson River flows south and meets the Atlantic Ocean at New York City. The river was carved by a glacier 75 million years ago and the river originates, or begins from Lake Tear of the Clouds in the rugged Adirondack Mountains. It becomes navigable, which means you can use a boat on it at Troy, a city north of Albany. From the Federal Dam all the way to New York Harbor, the Hudson is a 150 mile estuary that ebbs and flows with ocean tides. Its water is brackish, which means it mixes both salt water and fresh water all the way up to Kingston. The Algonquin Native American Tribe called the Hudson “Muhheakantuck” which means “the river that flows both ways” or “great waters (that are) constantly in motion.” The constant mixing of water makes the Hudson the largest single wildlife resource in New York State. Deciduous (de-sid-u-ous) trees (trees that change color and lose their leaves), rocky bluffs, and sloping foothills line both sides of its shores, while Mallard ducks and striped bass frolic in the water. Waterfalls on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers are a source of energy by providing power for making electricity.
Points of Interest There are 11 counties in the Hudson River Valley. They are Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties. Albany is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and it became the capital of New York State in 1789. The capital means that all the state’s government buildings are located there. Schenectady is home to the General Electric Company, the Jackson Botanical Garden and Union College. Kingston was the first capital of New York State (before Albany) and it was the first meeting place of the New York State Senate. Poughkeepsie has many beautiful lakes and small villages. Vassar College is located there. Hyde Park, the home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt is also located in Poughkeepsie. Hunter Mountain is located in Hunter, New York. With an elevation of 4,040 feet , it is the highest peak in the county and the second highest peak in the Catskill Mountains. For skiers, it is the closest big mountain to New York City. “The Gunks” in New Paltz is one of the premier rockclimbing areas in the country. Not too far away, you can find the Mohonk Mountain House. The Mohonk House was founded by the Smiley Family in 1869 and it is a Victorian castle resort in the Hudson Valley. A wonderful place to hike, rock climb, rock scramble, mountain bike, the views from the rocks at the Mohonk House are breathtaking!