Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

On Saturday, October 22, 2016, two hikers took a wrong turn after the steps up Kaaterskill Falls and hiked down near Layman's Monument. Due to the sun setting they called 911 for help. Two DEC Rangers hiked down the Escarpment Trail towards Layman's Monument from Laurel House Road. The Rangers encountered 25-year-old male hiker from Iowa, and a 27-year-old hiker from New Jersey. The Rangers escorted the hikers back to the Laurel House Road parking lot and drove the two hikers back to Molly Smith parking lot.

It should be noted that it had been raining all day Saturday, with the winds picking up. It was also dark, and they were moving towards some regions of cliffs.


Picture of Sunset Ledge


Ledge Near Layman's Monument

I have seen hikers from the KF all the way down by Boulder Rock. Somehow they were thinking it would take them back to Molly Smith parking lot. But, this particular section is dangerous at night. So it was probably best that someone went and got them.

It's not hard to miss the turnoff to go to the middle or bottom of the falls when hiking from the top with the new trail setup. I've hiked the area a bunch and ended up at layman's monument the first time I hiked the "new" trail down from the top.

Haven't hiked from the 23A parking area to the bottom lately... Did they change the trail path from Bastion Falls to the bottom of Kaaterskill Falls?

Why do people start so late in the day? No flashlights? What are they thinking?