Hiker Assaulted on WHP

A female hiker was assaulted and threaten with a shotgun when she arrived at the Elm Ridge Lean-to on Windham High Peak on Dec 2nd. 1 man was arrested and two others received tickets. Click image for more details (Dec 7)

Palenville Swing Bridge

The Palenville Swing Bridge was destroyed by the massive flooding from Hurricane Irene at the end of August. A group of Palenville citizens are raising money to rebuild the historic bridge. Palenville is separated by the Kaaterskill Creek. Click image for more details (Dec 6)

Hiker Injured

A 56-year-old woman fell while hiking in Spruceton Valley late Saturday, and had to be medi-vac to Albany Med with a broken arm and leg. With a light snow on Friday, the trails were particularly slippery. Click image for more details (November 13)

Leaf Foliage Report

Catskill Mountains

1,000'+ 100% changed - 100% Fallen
2,400'+ 100% changed - 100% Fallen
3,500'+ 100% changed - 100% Fallen
2009 Image: Platte Clove Valley
Click image for more details (November 6 )

Early Snow Storm

It is a rare event to get a snow storm in October. On Oct 27th the Mountaintop received 4.5" of snow. Another 6-12" snow storm may come on Saturday night, Oct 29/30. So much for Halloween. Click on image for more details (October 28)

Dead Hiker

A hiker was found dead in the middle of the Escarpment Trail near Kaaterskill Falls on Monday (10/24) by another hiker. The hiker was identified as Paul Dodway, 51, of Clifton Park, NY. He died from natural causes on Sunday (10/23). Click on image for more details (October 24)

7 People Lost

7 People handicapped (hearing impaired) were lost on Sunday night after walking in the woods in Spruceton Valley. They were later located, and they are safe and sound. Click on picture for more details (October 3)

DEC Trails Open

The DEC has opened ALL trails except for 6 trails. Some DEC campgrounds will be closed for the season. Other campgrounds will open tomorrow. Some roads to trails are still closed, while others can be challenging. Click on picture for more details (September 15)

DEC Trails Closed

The DEC has decided to close ALL trails on DEC property in Greene and Ulster County until further notice. DEC campgrounds are also closed until further notice. This also includes ALL DEC property, so bushwhack hikes are also closed. Click on picture for more details (September 9)

Damages & Deaths

There was significant damage to Prattsville, Windham, and Maplecrest. There are 3 reported deaths in Maplecrest and Lanesville. Possible more deaths in Prattsville. Prattsville is inaccessible and has unconfirmed terrible reports of severe damage and deaths. Click on picture for more details (August 29)

Hurricane Irene

The projected path of Hurricane Irene shows that it will cause hurricane force winds in the Catskill Mountains late Sunday into Monday. One model shows it coming up the Hudson Valley as a Cat 2 hurricane. This may be the worst hurricane to hit the Catskills since the 1950's. Click on picture for more details (August 25)

Platte Clove Death

On July 30th a 27-year-old man from Kingston died when he fell off the top of a waterfall in the Platte Clove. He and his fiance were hiking on a Catskill Center Trail when they ventured off to the top of a waterfall. Both were novice hikers. Click on picture for more details (July 31)

Cougar Tracks

On June 19th Mountain Lion tracks were discovered on the side of a private dirt road in Acra, NY. Only one track was discovered in the mud, and a deer stepped on the back side of the print. Click on picture for more details (June 21)

Ballgown Hiking

On June 18th Heather and Melissa will be kicking off their "Ballgown for Greenbacks" fund raising. A group of 9 women will be hiking the Catskill's highest 35 peaks in Ballgown dresses. On Saturday, they will be starting with Slide, Cornell, and Wittenburg Mtns. Click on picture for more details (June 14)

Cougar Killed

A Mountain Lion was killed on Rt-15 in Milford, CT early Saturday morning. It is believed that he has been roaming NY and CT for the past 1-1/2 years. The tracks we found last December may belong to this cougar. Click on picture for more details (June 12)

Tommy White Band

It may have been a dreary weekend for the outdoors, but it was rocking good at a benefit concern for Cairo-Durham High School. Click on picture for more details (May 14)

Bear Attack

On April 13th, 2011 a women in Round Top (near Cairo) New York was attacked by a Black Bear. Many bears are now coming out of their dens and are hungry. Click on picture for more details (Apr 13)

Rain Storm

On March 10th, 2011 a large rain storm brings in Spring with 5-6" of rain. There was some minor flooding in the usual places. Click on picture for more details (Mar 11)

2nd Skier Death

On Friday, Feb 11, 2011, an 69-year-old female skier from Pennsylvania ran off the trail hit a tree at Windham Mountain Ski Center. She died from her injuries. She was skiing with friends. Click on picture for more details (Feb 11)

Skiing Death

On Sunday, Jan 16, 2011, an 18-year-old female skiier ran off the trail at a high speed (Upper Warpath at Windham) and hit a tree and substained significant head injuries. She was transferred to Columbia Memorial Hospital where she died. Click on picture for more details (Jan 17)

Ice Climbing Accident

A female climber fell 60' Wednesday, Jan 5, 2011 and substained injuries to her legs and arms. The accident happen in the Stony Clove on Rt 214 in the Town of Hunter. Click on picture for more details (Jan 5)