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DEC - Recent Notices

Report or discuss current events in the Catskill Mountains.
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dave
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Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Location: Acra New York

DEC - Recent Notices

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Recent Notices

Winter Storm Warning: Planning a hike in the Catskills? Be advised that there is a winter weather advisory in effect for the Catskill Region from Thursday, December 15 - Saturday, December 17. Keep updated on the latest forecast.

Graham and Doubletop - Doubletop, Graham mountains, and surrounding private lands are no longer available for public use. Local landowners have graciously allowed public access to these mountains and private lands for many years, however; access is no longer being allowed.

Accessible Trails Restoration in the Catskills - DEC has restored several accessible trails throughout the Catskills. Notably, the trails at Lower Birch Creek in the Shandaken Wild Forest, trails at the Catskills Visitor Center and the connecting Esopus Creek Fishing access trails in Mount Tremper, and trails at Waneta Lake in the Willowemoc Wild Forest have received vegetation management and resurfacing. Accessible trails provide a way for people with mobility impairments or disabilities to enjoy nature in a wild, forested setting. These trails generally conform to standards that allow for ease of access.

Indian Head Wilderness - Thanks to a coordinated effort between DEC Lands and Forests, Operations, and Forest Ranger staff and volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and Bruderhof Community, the Devil’s Kitchen bridge has been replaced. DEC staff and volunteers spent several days hauling lumber into the Indian Head Wilderness on the Overlook Trail and DEC Operations staff completed the bridge construction.

Hunter-West Kill Wilderness - The Devil’s Acre lean-to and privy recently received some much needed maintenance. Last fall, DEC Operations staff completed repairs to the lean-to roof. This spring and fall, volunteers from the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference relocated, repaired, and stained the Devil’s Acre privy. The volunteers also repaired the lean-to floorboards, rebuilt the fire ring, and improved drainage around the structure.

Delaware Wild Forest -The snowmobile bridge on the Campbell Mountain Trail between Route 206 and the Campbell Mountain lean-to has been closed pending replacement.

Snowmobile trails will be open for use once trails are covered in ice and snow.

Crystal Lake Wild Forest - DEC and Tahawus Trails LLC professional trail crew have completed trail work within the Crystal Lake Wild Forest. The trail crew installed stepping stones and built trail drainage features in order to keep trails dry and sustainable throughout the wetter months of the year. Wet trails are prone to erosion and widening, but by installing diversion ditches, drainage dips, and stepping stones, the trails are more likely to provide a sustainable surface for hikers for years to come.

Slide Mountain Wilderness Area - DEC is undertaking repairs at the Deer Shanty Brook Bridge along the Peekamoose-Table Trail in the Slide Mountain Wilderness Area. In November, volunteers from the Catskill 3500 club and New York – New Jersey Trail Conference, along with DEC staff teamed up to carry in nearly 1000 pounds of lumber to the bridge in order to replace the bridge decking.

Volunteers from the New York New Jersey Trail conference worked to clear a significant amount of downed trees that fell across the trails in both the Slide Mountain and Big Indian Wilderness Areas. Crew leader Andy Garrison lead a team of trail maintenance volunteers on multiple, successful work trips throughout the spring and fall of 2022.

Sundown Wild Forest - The section of Dinch Road that leads to the Red Hill Fire Tower Trailhead in the Sundown Wild Forest is seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that the Dinch Road Trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter. Visitors who wish to visit the Red Hill Firetower should consider using the newly constructed trail and parking area on Denning Road. The parking lot was constructed by DEC Operations staff to accommodate up to 10 cars.

Snowmobile trails will be opened for use once trails are covered in ice and snow. Seasonal gates allowing access to snowmobile trails will be opened once the trails are sufficiently covered in ice and snow.

Willowemoc Wild Forest - Snowmobile trails will be opened for use once trails are covered in ice and snow. Seasonal gates allowing access to snowmobile trails will be opened once the trails are sufficiently covered in ice and snow.

Permits are no longer necessary to recreate or camp in the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor. As a reminder, permits are necessary to recreate or camp in the valley from May 15th – September 15th each year.

Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest - The eastern 2-mile terminus of Beaverkill Road / Turnwood Road that leads to the Balsam Lake Mountain Trailhead is only seasonally maintained and not plowed throughout the winter. Visitors should note that this trailhead location is generally inaccessible throughout the winter.

Kaaterskill Wild Forest - Expect the trails in the Kaaterskill Falls area to be very icy. Hikers should use extreme caution, especially on icy stone staircases and other rock surfaces. Be prepared with traction devices such as microspikes or crampons. For your safety, avoid hiking near cliff edges and avoid the midpool area if you do not have traction devices.

North-South Lake Campground - Due to safety concerns, a deteriorating foot bridge on the Mary’s Glen Trail has been removed until a replacement bridge can be constructed. The Mary’s Glen Trail remains open, but visitors should use caution at the stream crossing which may be challenging during times of high water.

Bluestone Wild Forest - Onteora Lake, the road connecting the upper parking area to the lower parking area is closed annually when the roadway becomes covered with ice and snow. The gate is generally closed right after or right before the first big snow of the year. The upper parking area, directly off of State Route 28, will still be available for use.

Seasonal Roads - The following are seasonal roads and are not maintained during winter months:
  • Platte Clove Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter) (the eastern 2.5 miles of Platte Clove Road are closed November 1st to April 15th)
    Roaring Kill Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter)
    Big Hollow Road – Windham-Blackhead Range Wilderness (Town of Windham)
    Russell Brook Road – Delaware Wild Forest (Town of Colchester)
    Mary Smith Road – Delaware Wild Forest (Town of Colchester)
    Ploutz Road – Dry Brook Wild Forest (Town of Middletown)
Emergency Situations - If you get lost or injured; keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Dispatch, 833-NYS-Rangers (1-833-697-7264).
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