Tips for Camping in the Catskills
Camping in the Catskills is an awesome experience! However, being only two and a half hours from millions of people it can be crowded. Following some basic tips can make your experience richer and also preserve the sensitive environment that the Catskills has to offer. Plan, plan and plan again This is a simple but critical skill. You can never “over-plan”. In fact, there is great joy in planning and anticipating your trip. Use trail…
Why Trail Guides Should Make You Question Everything
If you are like me you plan your hikes and backpacking trips meticulously. Using trail guides and maps are central to this planning process. But one thing I’ve learned over the decades of being out in the woods is that stuff changes and your guidebook lies. For example, here in the Catskills, the Long Path has a beautiful addition which has taken it off the road near Woodland Valley Campground (that’s another post), it’s not in…
Closure of Kaaterskill Falls, Upper Viewing Platform due to COVID-19
Updated: Is Kaaterskill Falls open? Kaaterskill Falls is now open and can be accessed from the Laurel House Road and Scutt Road parking areas. However, the Molly Smith parking area and the Kaaterskill Falls Trail from NY 23A to the base of the lower falls will continue to remain closed for trail construction. Immediately the upper parking areas Molly Smith, Laurel House Road, and Scutt Road will be closed. The trails connecting to the falls…
Plateau Mountain in the Winter
Plateau Mountain derives its name from its long summit ridge which is relatively flat. Having said that, it does climb a couple of hundred feet to the summit once you have obtained the ridge climbing from Stony Clove. After fresh snow the upper elevations and long summit ridge of Plateau are excellent. At 3836′ it is the 10th highest peak in the Catskills and second tallest on Devil’s Path. There are three ways to the…
West Kill Mountain in the Catskills
West Kill Mountain is the tallest peak on Devil’s Path at 3898 feet. It’s closest higher neighbor is Hunter Mountain that is 3.13-miles away at a Bearing 77.6° True or 90.7° Magnetic. It’s Isolation Limit Point is 3-miles away just below Hunter’s Summit. West Kill’s Isolation Circle Area is a large 27.7 mi² (71.8 km²). It was heavily glaciated and has many ridges with cirques in which small glaciers carved the slopes of this massive…