Kaaterskill Falls hike in the Catskills (lower trailhead)

The Kaaterskill Falls hike almost a “rite of passage” hike for Catskill hikers. It does not lead to a lofty peak, but it does take the hiker to one of the most majestic waterfall series in the Northeastern United States.

Things you need to know:

• This hike can be dangerous.
• The walk from the parking area to the trailhead can be hair raising.
• You’ll lose 140′ elevation from the parking area to the trailhead and then climb 465′ to the falls.
• Total round trip is about 1.5-miles.
• This is a very busy trail and the parking area often runs out of space quickly.
• The trail is almost always wet.
• To avoid the crowds the best time to go is midweek (early spring or late fall), after several days of heavy rain or during spring melt.
• Weekends and summer is high traffic time.
• There is a lower trail and upper trail. You can hike from one to the other as they are now connected. It is easier to hike them separately.
• Winter is a special time here.

It is much more than a “waterfall hike”. It is steeped in history right from the parking area to the falls. Starting off route 23a which winds its way through Kaaterskill Clove, the view from the parking area is beautiful. So much, that Asher Brown Durand, painted his tribute “Kindred Spirits” to famed painter Thomas Cole and his friend, poet, and journalist William Cullen Bryant. Although the painting includes many features of the clove including the falls, one can see the similarities of the spot from the parking area.

Even though this is a short hike, one should not underestimate the undertaking. Some people have died or been injured at the falls. Many ignoring the signage with warnings and restrictions. In fact, the day of this hike we observed a hiker a top of the falls, near the edge, attempting to get a picture. If you are up at the top, stay on the marked trails and take your pictures from the observation deck.

Remember it’s a dangerous place (even if you follow the restrictions) you can read about the incidents here, here, and here.

On this outing, Carolyn, Chris, and I hiked from the lower parking area to the falls. One of the most hair raising parts of this hike will be the 0.22-mile section of road you need to navigate from the parking area to the trailhead.

One can walk the obvious large drainage that is on the left side of the road. You will reach two rock retaining walls to navigate around but for a good part of the road walk, you can stay in the drainage instead of the road (see above picture).

The road will bring you to the hairpin turn where you will see Bastion Falls a sight in of themselves. The smaller multi-tiered and muti-chute waterfall in many ways are more interesting than Kaaterskill Falls.

During high water, the main fall is fanned with smaller falls to the sides. The side fall to the left, a ribbon fall drops to a reflection pool below. To the right of the main fall, a sort of terraced fall as the water cascades down and through chutes. One should take time to view these falls and not rush to the main spectacle and half a mile up the trail.

Before you depart the Bastion Falls stop and checkout Kaaterskill High Peak, once thought to be the tallest mountain in New York. One may get the feeling of why as you stand way below its summit.

From the falls you’ll follow the yellow trail. Sign in at the register and you’ll make a steep ascent from the register where the trail will ease a bit.

For the entire hike, you’ll be hiking near or above Spruce Creek as the walls of the ravine increase in height as you move along the trail. On your right, the land is the end of the ridge dropping from South Mountain with the Escarpment and other trails that penetrate the North-South Lake area. During high water periods keep a lookout for small waterfalls off to your left cascading off the steep walls of the ravine.

The trail is well worn with some stairs (rock and wood) to aid your 465’ ascent from the trailhead to the base of the falls.  

At about 0.5-miles you’ll reach what you come to see, Kaaterskill Falls. The two-tiered falls at 260’ total drop are a sight to see. There is a large flat viewing boulder where many people sit to enjoy the falls. I suggest you take some time here to take in the scene.

The experience will engage all your senses. You’ll hear the roar of the falls, feel the coolness and spray of the mist, smell the earthiness of this place, and see (hopefully) the beauty of the entire location, not just the falls. Finally, filter, and taste the fresh, cold mountain water that the Catskills have to offer. The lower and upper sections have an overhanging wall and undercut crest, that creates an air space behind the falling water. Do not attempt to go there.

Once you have sat for a bit, you may wish to visit the middle section of the falls at the base of the upper tier. You can reach this by an excellent stone stairway. PLEASE be careful as the falls will spray and keep everything wet, including the steep staircase.

After a couple hundred feet of climbing, you’ll reach a junction which will take you to the middle of the falls (left) or on to the top of the falls (right).

The view of the upper falls is unsurpassed here. You will get glimpses as you ascend.

But the from the short side path, the upper falls crash down and then spill over the lower falls. The updraft and mist created by the falls in the upper amphitheater can create wind and chilliness even on warm days. If the sun is out and at the right angle look for rainbows.

The hike to Kaaterskill Falls may be the best 0.5-miles in the Catskills. However, don’t expect solitude and always remember short doesn’t equal easy or safe.

Happy hiking!