Hikers Lost

On December 21, 2025 two hikers walked off the Giant Ledge Trail when it became dark. They then tried to bushwhack to the PA. After fording 2 creeks in cotton socks they became hypothermic. - click on image to see story

Hiker Injured

On December 13, 2025 a 20-year-old hiker from New Jersey injured his leg on the Fox Hollow Trail(Panther Mtn). - click on image to see story

Rescuer Dies

On December 13, 2025 a SAR rescuer, Michael Ryan, dies while helping a hiker with a serious leg injury on the Fox Hollow Trail on Panther Mountain - click on image to see story

Hiker Lost

On November 29, 2025 a 59-year-old hiker from NYC got lost in the dark while hiking up Samuel's Point in the Slide Mtn Wilderness (below Wittenberg) - click on image to see story

Asthma Attack

On November 16, 2025 at hiker had an asthma attack near the summit of Slide Mountain after the experienced hikers split from novice hikers. - click on image to see story

Hiker Lost

On November 15, 2025 at 53-year-old hiker got lost after the Mink Hollow Lean-to between Plateau and Sugarloaf Mountain. - click on image to see story

Hiker Injury

On November 4, 2025 at 57-year-old hiker injured his leg on the Warner Creek Trail. NYS Ranger extricated the hiker up the difficult trail. - click on image to see story

Hiker Injury

On October 31, 2025 at 57-year-old hiker injured his knee at North Point. The hiker tried to hike out but only made it to Bear's Den. - click on image to see story

Improvements

The New York DEC has made a number of improvements to trails throughout the Catskill Mountains. - click on image to see story

Hiker Injury

On Oct 12, 2025, a hiker injured their ankle at the historic Kaaterskill Hotel Laurndry House below the Scutt Parking Area. The hiker was transported to the hospital after NYS Rangers splited the hiker's leg - click on image to see story (OCT 11)

Medical Issue

On October 11, 2025, a hiker was at the lower part of Kaaterskill Falls and suffered a medical issue and lost consciousness. NYS Rangers provided medical help to help the hike recover - click on image to see story (OCT 11)

Hiker Injury

On September 26, 2025, a hiker injured their ankle between Indian Head and Twin Mountain. NYS Police Helicopter extracted the hiker and transported them to the hospital - click on image to see story (SEP 26)

Exhausted Hiker

On September 20, 2025, a 55-year-old hiker became exhausted when he attempted to hike Peekamoose, Table, Lone, Rocky and Balsam Cap. He was found 2am the next day - click on image to see story (SEP 20)

Fire on Rocky

On September 3, 2025, a burning campfire was abandon, which caused a small forest fire on the summit of Rocky Mtn. DEC Rangers along NYSP Helicopter were involved in putting out the fire - click on image to see story (SEP 3)

Swimmer Injured

On August 22, 2025, a 21-year-old swimmer from Long Island fell down an embankment while hiking to a swimming hole. NYS Rangers helped the swimmer with injuries - click on image to see story (AUG 22)

Sick Hiker

On August 9, 2025, a 62-year-old hiker from New Jersey started to get sick near the summit of Wittenberg Mountain. DEC Rangers had to call in a helicopter to transport the hiker off the mountain - click on image to see story (AUG 9)

Exhausted Hiker

On August 8, 2025, a 62-year-old hiker from New Jersey at Kaaterskill Falls was suffering from Heat Exhaustion. Two Assistant Forest Rangers and a DEC Forest Ranger arrived to assist the hiker - click on image to see story (AUG 8)

Despondent Hiker

On July 24, 2025 a despondent hiker in the Slide Mountain Wilderness resulted in a significant search - click on image to see story (JUL 23)

Southern Escarpment

The DEC has begun repairs to the Southwestern Escarpment Trail. Erosion was quite significant between Sunset Ledge and the Kaaterskill Falls Trail - click on image to see story (JUL 23)

Trailless Peaks

The DEC has released the 2025 draft Visitor Use Management Plan for the trailless peaks for the Catskill Mountains. People can comment on the plan during August & September - click on image to see story (JUL 23)

Leg Injury

On July 16, 2025, a 69-year-old from White Plains injured his leg on a slippery rock on the Huckleberry Loop Trail. - click on image to see story (JUL 16)

Dog Emergency

On July 16, 2025, a dog fell into a deep crevice on the southern end of the Escarpment Trail. DEC Rangers were able to pull the dog out of the hole. - click on image to see story (JUL 16)

Head Injury K.F.

On July 10, 2025, a hiker from New Hampshire fell at the middle pool of Kaaterskill Falls and is believed to have lost consciousness. One of the Assistant Forest Rangers located at Kaaterskill Falls arrived to assist the injured hikers. NY DEC Ranger Fox, Paramedics and Palenville Fire Department walked the hiker to an ambulance. - click on image to see story (JUL 10)

Hiker has Seizure

On July 4, 2025, a hiker suffers a seizure on the top of Hunter Mountain by the fire tower. DEC Rangers help the hiker back to the parking area where they are transported to the hospital. - click on image to see story (JUL 3)

Hiker Exhausted

On June 29, 2025, a hiker becomes exhausted on Hunter Mountain. They were hiking on a hot day without water or food. DEC Rangers help the hiker back to the parking area where they are transported to the hospital. - click on image to see story (JUL 3)

Blue Hole Injury

On June 25, a 39-year-old, Brooklyn, NY fell on the rocks and was injured. They were transported to Ellenville Hospital by the Neversink EMS Ambulance. - click on image to see story (JUN 25)

Hiker Death

On June 20, a 70-year-old, from Park Ridge, Illinois, fell off a ledge near Kaaterskill Falls and landed on the stone steps going down to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls. Both NYS Police and NYS DEC Rangers responded to the falls. He was extricated to the Laurel House Parking Area. Unfortunately he did not survive. - click on image to see story (JUN 20)

Medical Emergency

On June 14, a 58-year-old suffered from severe abdominal pain at the intersection of the Escarpment Trail and the trail to lower sections of Kaaterskill Falls. NYS DEC Rangers and members of the Tannersville and Haines Falls fire department carried them to the Laurel House Parking Area to be transported to the hospital - click on image to see story (JUN 14)

Catskill Roundtable

On May 10, 2025 the Catskill Mountain Club hosted the Catskill Roundtable at the Mountain Top Aboretum in Tannersville, NY - click on image to see story (MAY 10)

Long Path Reroute

The DEC is now approaching the final plan for the reroute of the Long Path between Warwarsing and Vernooy Kill Falls in the Sundown Wild Forest - click on image to see story (MAY 9)

Deceased Hiker

On April 24, 2025, a 54-year-old man, Linhu Jin, age 54, was found deceased on the trail up to West Kill Mountain. NYS Rangers and multiple agencies transported him back to the trailhead. - click on image to see story (APR 24)

Hike Lost

On April 19, 2025 a 23-year-old man got lost on the south side of Twin Mtn in the Indian Head Wilderness. NYS Rangers found him and got him back to the trailhead. - click on image to see story (APR 18)

Hike Injured

On April 18, 2025 a 45-year-old man injured his ankle near the Devil's Acre Leanto (leanto on Devil's Path) in the Hunter - West Kill Wilderness. - click on image to see story (APR 18)

Hike Lost

On April 17, 2025 a 61-year-old man got lost on Mink Hollow Trail below Sugarloaf twice. DEC Dispatchers & Ranger Peterson helped get back on the trail and back to the Trailhead. - click on image to see story (APR 17)

Ankle Injury

On March 18, 2025 a 58-year-old women injured her ankle on the Biscuit Brook Trail. She was 2 miles into the forest. NYS Rangers used a wheeled litter & a UTV to get her back to thee Parking Area. - click on image to see story (MAR 18)

3,100 acre acquired

On March 5, 2025 Open Space Institute ("OSI") acquired 3,100 acres next to the Willowemoc Wild Forest. The land will be transferred to NYS DEC and become part of the Willowemoc Wild Forest. - click on image to see story (MAR 5)

Hikers stuck below Falls

On March 2, 2025 a 25-year-old hiker hiked down the stairs at Kaaterskill Falls. The stairs were icy, and he fell while descending down to the middle section of Kaaterskill Falls. - click on image to see story (MAR 2)

Lost Hikers

On February 22, 2025 a group of hikers got lost in the dark on the Escarpment Trail about 1 mile from North-South Lake. - click on image to see story (FEB 22)

Unprepared Hikers

On February 17, 2025 a group of hikers hiked down to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls late in the day. They did not have microspikes, crampons, or headlights, and could not get back up the trail. - click on image to see story (FEB 17)

Unprepared Hikers

On February 16, 2025 a group of hikers climb up to the Red Hill Firetower. Unprepared and concerned about the weather, they called 911. - click on image to see story (FEB 16)

Ice Climber Injured

On January 24, 2025 a 35 year-old male ice climber fell from one of the nine drops of Buttermilk Falls in the Kaaterskill Clove. He was removed from the area by NYS Police Helicopter. - click on image to see story (JAN 24)

Hiker injured falling ice

On January 11, 2024 a 29 year-old female hiker was standing directly below Kaaterskill Falls when hanging ice broke off and hit her. She sustained serious injuries. She was transported to the hospital. - click on image to see story (JAN 11)