Rattlesnake Surprise!

It is believed that someone is intentionally creating new rattlesnake habitat in the Catskills. The operation appears to be very sophisticated. We have found two new dens in Greene County in the last two years. Click on picture for more details. (Sept 1)

Campgrounds Closed?

Back in March, the DEC announced that they would be closing campgrounds across the state. The public accepted the reason for closing them. Then the DEC quietly reopened the campgrounds without telling the public.Click on picture for more details. (Sept 1)

Death at Kaaterskill Falls

A 19-year old student from Bard College died on Friday, August 20, 2010 when he fell on the closed trail from the base of Kaaterskill Falls to the top. He fell where many people have fallen to their death. EMS personel said that he fell around 80-100 feet. He was flown to Albany Medical Center by helicopter. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Click on picture for more details. (Aug 20)

Devil's Path Record

On August 15, 2010 Ben Nephew ran the 24.2 miles in 5 hours and 35 minutes. This is a new world record. Ben Hephew is a world class trail runner, and a member of the INOV-8 USA team. Click on picture for more information (Aug 15)

Devil's Kitchen Accident

A 48 year old man took a significant fall around 11 AM in the Devil's Kitchen. His hiking partner called 911, and it took several hours to reach them. He was conscious, and was transported to Albany Medical Center by Helicopter. Click on picture for more details (July 31)

Ash Borer is Here!

On July 15, 2010 officials discovered the first Emerald Ash Borer at a campground in Saugerties NY. On July 21, they discovered a second borer. Illegal movement of firewood is the most likely cause. They are almost impossible to stop or eradicate. Click on picture for more details (July 27)

Bicycle Road Race

Tour-of-the-Catskills Bicycle Race will happen from July 30 to August 1, 2010. The race will occur in two Stages. First Stage will be around the Windham and Durham region. The second Stage will be Tannersville and will include Platte Clove Road in Devil's Kitchen. This will separate the men-from-the-boys. Click on picture for more details (July 26)

Canadian Geese

New York State is planning on killing approximately 165,000 Canadian Geese. Government officials claim that the population is too high. NYS wants 17 other states to participate in killing signifcant populations. Problem is that Canadian Geese are migratory. They would also need permission from the US Fish & Game for a permit. Click on picture for more details (July 26)

Forestry Failure

Several years ago the NYS DEC decided to harvest some of the conifer trees east of Ashland Pinnacle and west of Pisgah Mountain. Several hundred acres were clear cut and harvested. The intended plan was to plant new trees to replace the old ones. With budget cuts, the money from the harvest was diverted to the General Fund, and the reforestation will not happen. (July 5)

Devil's Kitchen Death #2

Olivia Rose Belfiglio, 17 year old girl from Saugerties NY (Ulster County) fell off the trail in Devil's Kitchen. She fell 100' to her death. She was hiking with a group of four people. We believe that she may have fallen very close to where Bill Costello fell back on May 1 . Picture of 90' Falls below where she may have fell. Click on picture for more details (June 4)

Hunter Mtn Hikes

Hiking to the summit of Hunter Mountain usually can be done from four access points. An easy way is to take the Hunter Mtn Quad chair lift. But, this summer the Quad will be closed for an upgrade. Instead, they will use the D Lift, which stops at mid-mtn. This will require an extra 700' of vertical climb. Click on picture for more details (May 25)

Campgrounds Opening

On Friday, May 7, 2010, North-South Lake Campgrounds will open to the public. Other campgrounds in the Catskill Mountains will open May 21, 2010. Devil's Tombstone Campground closed for 2010. Click on picture for more details (May 4)

Devil's Kitchen Death

William Costello, 52, of Delmar fell 200' to his death on Saturday, May 1, 2010 around 11:15 AM in Devil's Kitchen in Platte Clove. He was hiking with a large group of hikers from Albany NY . Click on picture for more details (May 1)

Fishing Season

Starting May 1, the fishing season opens in full for northern pike, pickerel, walleye, and muskies. Click on picture for more details (Apr 27)

Spring Turkey Season

Spring Turkey hunting season will start on May 1 and go to May 31. The season bag limit is 2 birds, and it is limited to 1 bird per day. The season is open from a 1/2 hour before dawn and go until noontime. Click on picture for more details (Apr 27)

Black Bears Laws

The NYS DEC is proposing changes to the laws regarding Black Bears. These changes are made in response to people who feed and attract black bears near homes. When this happens the bears often become aggressive and dangerous. Click on picture for more details (Apr 24)

Drowning at South Lake

Two people were canoeing on South Lake in the North/South Lake Campground. When the canoe capsized, a women was able to swim to shore, but her 62 year old companion ended up drowning. While the air was in the 60's, the water is 30-40 degrees. Click on picture for more details (Apr 15)

Closing Campgrounds

Due to budget problems, two DEC campgraounds will be closing this summer. Devil's Tombstone in Greene County and Bear Spring Mountain in Delaware County. Click on picture for more information. (Mar 23)

Lost Hikers

Two hikers who set out on the Blackhead Mtn Range on Friday March 12, 2010 got lost. Today, Monday March 15, 2010 the rescuers were able to rescued one hiker alive, and recovered one dead hiker. Click on picture for more information. (Mar 15)

Major Wildlife Attrition!

The biggest snow storm in over 100 years will wipe out most of the wildlife in the Catskill Mountains. Pennsylvania lost 90% of their wildlife a month ago. Experts expect to lose almost all of the ground animals in the next week or two. Click on picture for more information. (Feb 28)

3-7' of Snow!

Some parts of the Catskills received 3-7' of snow over the last week. The Blackhead Mtn Range received the lion's share of snow. Travel is very difficult on town roads. Some roads are inaccessible. NYS DOT Snowblower brought in to clear main highways. Click on picture for more information. (Feb 28)

Ice Climbing Death

On Valentines day, ice climber, Daniel Pawlik, age 40, of Stamford, CT fell 50' from the ice flows by Moore's Bridge and 100 feet east of Fawns Leap. Tannersville SAR assisted in the rescue. Medivaced to Albany Med. Died 24 hours later. It was reported that he was climbing alone.Click on picture for more information

Major Flooding

Major flooding on the Mountaintop after receiving 5.4" of rain. Many roads are closed. The temperature got up in the 50's, and the snowmelt was massive. Click on picture for more. Jan 25, 2010

Frair Tuck Inn Flooded

Frair Tuck Inn is under 6 feet of water after a significant amount of rain. This just adds to the problems that the Inn has had after Chapter 11, and a fraudulent buyer tried to purchase the Inn during an auction. Click on picture for more.

50th Anniversary

On January 9, 2010, Hunter Mtn will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The day will be filled with prizes, awards, and end with fire works at 7 PM. Click on picture for more details.

Ice Climbing Season!

After a cold spell blew into the Catskills Mountains, it froze up most of the common ice climbing spots. Buttermilk Falls should be climbable in a week or two. Click on picture for more details.