Rescue: Hey, it’s only the Catskills! 8/25/20
DEC Statewide Forest Ranger Highlights Many people think the Catskills are full of simple easy hikes to its highest peaks. These excerpts from the latest rescues in the Catskills by Rangers and local SARS, emergency squads and fire departments show otherwise. Learn! Town of Shandaken, Ulster County Wilderness Rescue: On August 17 at 2:30 p.m., Forest Rangers Brand, Stratton, Martin, and Franke responded to the Giant Ledge Trail following a report of a female hiker…
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…
Kaaterskill Falls hike in the Catskills (upper trailhead)
This is the upper section of the Kaaterskill Falls trail in what could be done as one awesome hike to the lower trailhead now that the NYSDEC has updated the trail system (2016) in this area. It is some of the best trail work in New York if not the whole universe – haha. However, for the purposes of this description, I will only review the trail from the upper parking area to the Kaaterskill…
Escarpment Trail Hike from North Lake to North Point and Mary’s Glen Trail
This is the northern loop of the North-South Lake area which includes the most dramatic section of the Escarpment Trail. I can’t find words worthy to express its beauty. For many hikers, they will stop and return to the campground after reaching Lookout and Sunset Rocks, this is a mistake. The hike to North Point, even though a bit longer and somewhat rougher, is worth the effort and time. A return on the Mary’s Glen…
Best Hikes: The Kaaterskill Rail Trail In The Catskill Mountains
Winter is upon us. With several snowfalls already there are hopes of a good year for snow related sports. We’ll keep our fingers crossed! A great addition to the trail system in the Catskills for both beginner snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and winter mountain biking is The Kaaterskill Rail Trail. The trail is located just to the north of the Kaaterskill Wild Forest for most of its length. The Kaaterskill Rail Trail is currently a 1.5 mile…