Illegal Hunting

The 2021 Hunting season in the Catskill Mountains resulting in a number of illegal hunting citations for deer and black bears. Click image for more details (Nov 2021)

Hiker falls out of tree

On November 21, 2021 a hiker from Long Island fell out of a tree after climbing it to get a view of Platte Clove. NYS Rangers responded and helped the hiker back to the trail head. Click image for more details (Nov 21)

Injury on Twin Mtn

On November 19, 2021 a 65-year-old women Fishkill sustained a leg injury near the Summit of Windham High Peak. NYS Rangers responded and helped the women back to the trail head. Click image for more details (Nov 19)

Injury on Twin Mtn

On November 6, 2021 a 65-year-old women fell and injured her ankle. They called 911 and NYS Rangers responded and helped the women back to the trail head. Click image for more details (Nov 6)

Lean-to Replaced

On November 5, 2021 the New York Dept of Evironmental Conservation replaced lean-to on Table and Terrance Mountain. Paid for by the 3500 Club, and built by the Bruderhof Community. Flown by the New York State Police Click image for more details (Nov 5)

Lost on Slide Mtn

On November 3, 2021 three hikers from Brooklyn NY got lost on Slide Mountain after dark. NYS Rangers located them, and brought them to the trail head. They existed the wood at 5am in the morning. Click image for more details (Nov 3)

Graffiti on Lean-to

On November 2, 2021 a 39-year-old man from Brooklyn NY painted graffiti on the John Robb Lean-to and a nearby rock. He had gotten his truck stuck on the Hunter Ski Bowl property, where he was arrested. Click image for more details (Nov 2)

Injury on Friday Mtn

On October 26, 2021 a 20-year-old hiker fell down the steep trail to the summit of Friday Mountain and sustained a head and ankle injury. NYS Rangers helped him down to the Trailhead where he was evaluated by EMT's. Click image for more details (Oct 26)

Leg Injury

On October 23, 2021 a 51-year-old hiker sustained a serious leg injury after falling down a steep portion of the Mary Glen Trail. NYS Rangers helped him get back out to the Trailhead. Click image for more details (Oct 23)

Ankle Injury

On October 19, 2021 a 64-year-old hiker sustained a serious ankle injury on the trail to Huckleberry Point. NYS Rangers used the trail stretcher to extract her out to Steenburg Road, and finally to the Trailhead. Click image for more details (Oct 19)

Dog stuck in KH Cistern

On October 17, 2021 a hiker had his 65-pound husky dog jump into the Kaaterskill Hotel Cistern. The Cistern is quite deep, and the dog could not get out. Rangers helped get the dog out. Click image for more details (Oct 17)

Medical Event

On October 11, 2021 a 70-year-old hiker suffered a heart-related incident on the trail to Huckleberry Point. NYS Rangers received a call from Greene County EMS for help. Rangers transported them back to the Trailhead. Click image for more details (Oct 11)

Injury at Kaaterskill Falls

On October 10, 2021 a 40 year-old hiker suffered a head injury at Kaaterskill Falls. NYS Rangers and EMS transport them to the trailhead, where they refused further medical treatment. Click image for more details (Oct 10)

Hikers lost in the dark

On October 9, 2021 NYS Rangers had three calls at the same time for 3 different groups of hikers lost in the dark without headlamps. One on Kaaterskill High Peak, Hunter Mountain, and Platte Clove. Click image for more details (Oct 9)

Injury at Kaaterskill Falls

On October 3, 2021 a 61 year-old hiker from India suffered head an leg injuries on the staircase of Kaaterskill Falls. NYS Rangers and EMS transport her to the trailhead, and then to the hospital Click image for more details (Oct 3)

Seizure on Huckleberry

On October 2, 2021 a 28 year-old hiker from Albany suffers a seizure on Huckleberry Point Trail. NYS Rangers and EMS transport him off the mountain, and then to the hospital Click image for more details (Oct 2)

Lost on Devil's Path

On September 25, 2021 two hikers from New Jersey became lost on the Devil's Path when it became dark and their light was dying. NYS Rangers hiked in and helped them back to the trailhead. Click image for more details (Sep 25)

Injured on Cornell Crack

On September 21, 2021 a 38 year-old male hiker from Stone Ridge fell off Cornell Crack and injured his leg and ankle. NYS Rangers called in a helicopter to extract the injured hiker from the insertion point of Wittenberg Mountain. Click image for more details (Sep 21)

Lost on Wittenberg

On September 19, 2021 a 69 year-old male hiker from Pine Plains took a wrong turn after returning from the summit of Wittenberg Mountain. When it became dark, and was too tired to continue. NYS Rangers hiked in and helped him to the Trailhead. Click image for more details (Sep 19)

Brian Laundrie

There have been reports from police agencies warning citizens that Brian Laundrie might be in the Hudson Valley. He used to live in NY, and was a hiker. It is suggested that he might return to an area he is familiar with. Click image for more details (Sep 23)

Hiker Injured

On September 6, 2021, a 67-year-old hiker sustained multiple injuries near Huckleberry Point. DEC Rangers administered first aid, and helped her back to the trailhead. Click image for more details (Sep 6)

Hiker Injured

On September 4, 2021, a 26-year-old hiker injured his knee on the summit of Wittenberg Mountain. NY State Police Helicopter removed him from the summit with the help of multiple agencies. Click image for more details (Sep 4)

Hiker Injured

On August 28, 2021, a 45-year-old hiker fell on the southern part of the Escarpment Trail. He sustained a laceration to his leg. DEC Rangers responded to his location and administered first aid. He was helped out to the Trailhead. Click image for more details (Aug 28)

Hikers Lost

On August 14, 2021, two hikers from Virginia hike up the Harding Trail from Palenville to Palenville Overlook. Instead they got lost and ended upon the Sleepy Hollow Trail. DEC Rangers came and took them back to campground and parked car. Click image for more details (Aug 14)

Hikers Lost

On August 1, 2021, a group of hikers hiked to Echo Lake from the Indian Head Wilderness. Upon returning from Echo lake it got dark. So, they tried to hike to Platte Clove, and could no longer see. DEC Rangers came and guided them out. Click image for more details (Aug 1)

Hiker Lost

On July 31, 2021, a 33-year-old woman became lost hiking on the Southern Escarpment Trail. Ranger Dawson responded and found her 3/4 mile past her location at Boulder Rock. He helped her back to her car. Click image for more details (Ju. 31)

Hikers Injured at KF

On July 31, 2021, a DEC Ranger had three separate injured hikers around Kaaterskill Falls. The first hiker was light-headed. The other two hikers had ankle injuries. Ranger Dawson was just patroling Kaaterskill Falls when all three injuries happen. He had quite a busy day. Click image for more details (Jul 31)

Hiker Injury

On July 24, 2021, 67-year-old woman from Saugerties fall on the Escarpment trail near North Lake. DEC Rangers responded and administered first aid. She was then carried out of the woods, and transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Ju. 24)

Hiker Injury at KF

On July 23, 2021, 49-year-old woman from New Jersey broke her ankle on the Kaaterskill Falls trail. DEC Rangers responded and administered first aid. She was then carried out to the road and transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Ju. 23)

Hiker Injured

On July 17, 2021, a 83-year-old man from Maryland, fell while hiking the rocky trail near Layman's Monument. DEC Rangers responded and administered first aid to the hiker. They then helped him hike back to the trailhead. Click image for more details (Jul 17)

Lost Hiker

On June 29, 2021, a 70-year-old man became lost in the Vernooy Kill Falls region. DEC Rangers using ATV's were able to located him, and bring him back to the trailhead. Click image for more details (Jun 29)

Deer Tick Diseases

Anaplasmosis Cases are on the rise in upstate New York. Those people hiking during the summer months need to take necessary precautions to prevent tick bites. Anaplasmosis, Lyme disease, and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever have been found in the Catskill Mountains. Click image for more details (June)

Accident on Sugarloaf

On June 18, 2021 a 19-year-old hiker fell off the trail on the west side of Sugarloaf Mountain. They tumbled down about 20', and sustained a number of injuries. Rangers administered first aid, and got them down to the trailhead. They were transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Jun 18)

ATV Accident

On June 11, 2021 a 47-year-old female hiker fell down a 400' deep ravine after an ATV accident. Both her and an companion were transported to the hospital Click image for more details (Jun 11)

Dehydration at KF

On June 5, 2021, 49-year-old woman became light-headed in the middle pool of Kaaterskill Falls. It was determined that she was dehydrated, and DEC Rangers administered first aid to her. She continued for a short distance, but could not continue. EMS was brought in to transport her out, and to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Click image for more details (June 5)

Heat Exhaustion

On May 21, 2021 a female hiker became exhausted due to the heat. DEC Rangers were dispatched to her location, where they administered first aid. She was then able to hike out. She finally reached the trailhead close to mid-night. Click image for more details (May 21)

Death at KF

On April 30, 2021, 36-year-old Jesse Rithol's body was recovered from the pool of Kaaterskill Falls. There had been a New York Statewide search for him for a significant period of time.

He had rented a car on April 22, 2021 and driven to Kaaterskill Falls. Little is known about when the accident occurred. Kaaterskill Falls is very busy, so an investigation continues to how the accident occurred. Over 50 people from different agencies in New York were involved in the search and recovery. Click image for more details (May 1)

Hiker Injury

On April 17, 2021 a 50-year-old male hiker broke his ankle while descending from Balsam Lake Mountain to the Beaverkill Valley. His partner called Ulster County 911. Rangers and EMS carried him down to an ambulance at the Trailhead Click image for more details (Aprl 17)

Lost Hiker

On April 10, 2021 a 55-year-old male hiker became lost while hiking below the Sphinx in the Kaaterskill Clove to get a photograph of Bastion Falls. He became disoriented and in a dangerous location, and called 911 for help. Click image for more details (Apr 10)

Sick Hiker

On March 27, 2021 a 38-year-old male hiker became very sick while camping and hiking at the John Robb Lean-to near the summit of Hunter Mountain. The following morning he tried to hike out, but couldn't reach the trailhead in Spruceton Road. Click image for more details (Mar 27)

Hiker Dies

On March 14, 2021 a 62-year-old male hiker collapses and dies near the top of Becker Hollow Trail. The DEC Rangers, DEC Police, and NYS Police spend 10 hours recovering his body back to Rt 214 Parking Area, where he was turned over to the coroner. Click image for more details (Mar 27)

Hiker Injured at KF

On March 5, 2021 a 27-year-old female hiker was hiking to the top of Kaaterskill Falls on the stone staircase, when she slipped and tumbled 100' to the base of the staircase.

While she was wearing microspikes, the stone staircase is notorious for ice buildup in the Winter.

DEC Rangers and EMS provided medical help and assistance to her. She was transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Mar 27)

Hiker Injured

On February 27, 2021 a 52-year-old female hiker was snowshoeing. She was breaking trail, and fell down a 20' embankment. She dislocated her shoulder. Her hiking partner hiked back down for help. DEC Rangers administered first aid, and transported her to the lodge, where she was transported for medical care. (Feb 27)

New Parking Ara

On February 9, 2021 The DEC announced a new Parking Area for the Red Hill Fire Tower. The existing parking area is very small, and was icy in the Winter. The new parking area will allow up to 10 vehicles to park there. (Feb 9)

Hikers Lost

On January 12, 2021 two hikers from New York City were hiking down the beginning of the Southern Escarpment when it became dark. Furthermore, the trail was icy, and they couldn't get back up the trail.

The trail from Layman's Monument to Lake Creek has a lot of large round rocks that are difficult to hike on.

The DEC Rangers provided microspikes, headlamps, and hand warmers. Then helped them back to the trailhead (Jan 12)

Runner Injured

On January 1, 2021 two trail runners were doing the Acra Loop. One of the runner, a 29-year-old-female, from New Jersey fell by the Batavia Kill Lean-to and injured her elbow. DEC Rangers helped with first aid, and assisted her back to the trailhead. (Jan 1)