Hiker Death

On Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 3PM, a 30-year-old male hiker was attempting to cross Lake Creek at the very top of Kaaterskill Falls, when he slipped on the algae and smooth rock, and was swept over the 167 foot upper part of Kaaterskill Falls. He was still alive after the fall, but died before EMS could reach him. Click image for more details (Nov 12)

Hiker Injured

On Sunday, October 30, 2016, a female hiker was injured while descending Slide Mountain. DEC Rangers helped the hiker down the mountain, where she was transported to a local hospital. Click image for more details (Oct 30)

Lost Hiker on SMT

On Sunday, October 23, 2016, a female hiker got lost after bushwhacking up to the Snowmobile Trail from Gillespie Road parking area. She made it to the SMT, but was confused. Rangers and other hikers got her back to her car. Click image for more details (Oct 23)

Lost Hikers at KF

Two out-of-state hikers took a wrong turn while hiking up to the top of Kaaterskill Falls on Saturday. They started to hike down the Escarpment Trail with the sun setting. Rangers quickly retrieved the hikers and got them back to their car. Click image for more details (Oct 22)

Leaf Foliage Report

Catskill Mountains

1,000'+ 100% changed - 75% Fallen
2,400'+ 100% changed - 90% Fallen
3,500'+ 100% changed - 100% Fallen
Note: End of the foliage season has come.
2009 Image: Platte Clove Valley
Click image for more details (Oct 24)

Fishing Ban

The NYS DEC has issued a ban on fishing in the Esopus between the Shandaken Water Portal and the Ashokan Reservoir. Due to low water levels trout spawning will be threaten by people using the creek. Click image for more details (Oct 18)

Drought

For the past couple of months a drought has plagued the Catskill Mountains. Now, most of the springs on the hiking trails have completely dried up. Click image for more details (Oct 13)

Hurricane Matthew

Hurricane Matthew was expected to arrive this Sunday, July 9, 2016. But, but due to new forecast, the weather this weekend will NOT include Hurricane Matthew. Click image for more details (Oct 4)

Hunting Season

Starting October 1, 2016, hunting season will begin. It will open earlier then normal. Small game will start October 15, 2016 Click image for more details (Sept 26)

Rt 23a Closures

During the Fall months of 2016, the NYS DOT will be performing work on Rt 23a between Palenville and Haines Falls. Closures should be expected. Click image for more details (Sept 20)

Swimmer Injured

On Sunday, August 28, 2016 a swimmer fell and injured his leg at Fawn's Leap Waterfall in the Kaaterskill Clove in Greene County. Click image for more details (Aug 28)

Blue Hole Injury

On Saturday, August 20, 2016 a 21-year-old male from the Bronx dislocated his shoulder while swimming at the Blue Hole in the Peekamoose Valley in Ulster County. Click image for more details (Aug 20)

Hiker Killed

A 56-year-old New Jersey woman was killed on August 19, 2016 when she fell approximately 100' in the vicinity of Deep Chasm and Red Chasm in the lower Kaaterskill Clove near the lower horseshoe turn. Click image for more details (August 19)

Parking Restrictions

The Town of Saugerties has put up NEW No Parking signs on the lower part of the Platte Clove. This is due to problems with swimmers. Click image for more details (August 17)

Hiker Injured

On August 17, 2016 a hiker was injured in the Lower Platte Clove on the Ulster County side of the line. They were extracted by Green County SAR and transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (August 17)

Hiker Killed

On July 27, 2016 Ezra Kennedy, age 17, of Westfield, NJ fell off the second tier of Kaaterskill Falls (64' high). The accident occurred between 8:30 and 9:00 AM. Ezra was hiking with family and friends and got close to the edge so that his group could get a good picture of him. Unfortunately, he slipped on the algae coated rocks, and fell off the Falls. He died within the hour at the scene. Click image for more details (July 27)

Hiker Lost

On July 17, 2016 a 46-year-old hiker become lost in the Indian Head Wilderness. When the evening came, and he still didn't find his way, he called for help. The NYS DEC Rangers determined that he was on the Mink Hollow Trail. Rangers got him out before dusk. Click image for more details (Jul 17)

Hiker Injured

On May 29, 2016 a hiker fell off Kaaterskill Falls, and sustained multiple injuries. EMS and the fire department were called to extract and treat the hiker. He was then transported to the hospital, and is listed in serious condition. Click image for more details (May 29)

Blue Hole

On May 25, 2016 the DEC enacted new regulations to restrict use of the Blue Hole in the Peekamoose Valley. There has been a long battle to remove access to all the major swimming holes in the Catskills. The Blue Hole is the last one. Click image for more details (May 25)

Lost Hiker

On May 11, 2016 a 31 year old woman became lost on the summit of Plateau Mountain and walked off into the wilderness. As dusk approached she called 911 for help. Rangers were able to locate her by her Smartphone GPS. Click image for more details (May 16)

Lost Zebra Found

For the past week a Zebra from the Bailiwick Zoo (former Catskill Game Farm) has been missing. The public was asked to let the NYS Police know if it was spotted. Unfortunately, this story has a sad outcome. Click image for more details (May 16)

Lake Creek Bridge

Construction for the new Lake Creek Bridge has begun. This long awaited bridge will link the Escarpment Trail and the lower Kaaterskill Falls with Laurel House Road and the Kaaterskill Rail Trail. The new bridge is located a couple hundred feet from the top of Kaaterskill Falls. Click image for more details (May 15)

Platte Clove Road

During the day on Saturday, May 7, 2016, a large rock broke off and slide onto Platte Clove Road. The rock is so large that it is blocking the entire road. The road is closed. It could open as early as Monday, or maybe later in the week. Click image for more details (May 7)

Scutt Parking Lot

Work for the new Scutt Parking has begun. We expect the parking lot to be finished soon. It will hold about 75-100 cars. Click image for more details (May 5)

Medivac Bills

In recent years some For-Profit helicopter operations have moved into New York. The NYS Police transport victims for free. When the NYS Police helicopter is not available, these For-Profit operations are changing 60 grand for a 25 minute ride. Click image for more details (May 3)

SAR on Sugarloaf Mtn

A 34-year-old woman was injured while descending the west side of Sugarloaf Mountain on April 29, 2016. She was hiking with a group of 8 hikers. Local Rangers and EMS assisted in bringing her down the mountain and transporting her to a local hospital Click image for more details (Apr 29)

More Brush Fires

Over the past two weeks there have been many brush fires in and around the Catskill Mountains. Minneawaska now has a 300 acre forest fire. The DEC has ban open fires until the end of the day on May 14. Click image for more details (Apr 25)

Lightning Strike

On Wednesday evening on March 16, 2016 two hikers encountered a lightning strike near them. They were hiking near Kaaterskill Falls region. The hikers called 911 and EMS extracted them, and transported them to Albany Medical Center for their injuries. Click image for more details (Mar 16)

Brush Fire

Over the past week numerous brush fires have erupted around the Catskill Mountains. The DEC has ban open fires until the end of the day on May 14. Click image for more details (Mar 15)

SAR on Sherrill

On January 31, 2016 a female hiker fell on the Northeast side of Sherrill and was injured. It took a crew of seven almost 12 hours to complete the difficult rescue. Sherrill and North Dome are difficult mountains. Click image for more details (Jan 31)

Hikers Trapped!

On January 16, 2016 three male hikers were stranded near the top of Kaaterskill Falls due to icy trails. When it finally got dark, the hikers called 911 for help. Rangers ran some safety ropes and helped the hikers to the top of Kaaterskill Falls. The three hikers did not have micro spikes. Click image for more details (Jan 16)