Catskill Mountaineer
 
 
MENU
WEATHER

Click for Forum

catskill mountaineer facebook link

faq for catskill mountains

Links and Information for hiking in the catskill mountains

USGS topo maps of the Catskill Mountains
.

Hiker in Danger

On March 1, 2024 a hiker from Maryland ventured out onto an icy section of Kaaterskill Falls without microspikes and got stuck. Other hikers called for help. Click image for more details (Feb 11)
March 1, 2024, a hiker from maryland got stuck on the icy around kaaterskill falls.


Lost Hikers

On February 11, 2024 two hikers were lost in the Slide Mountain Wilderness after it got dark and they walked off the trail. Click image for more details (Feb 11)
February 11, 2024, two hikers get lost in the slide mountain wilderness after it gets dark.


Hiker falls off ledge

On February 3, 2024 a hiker fell off a ledge near the trailhead of the Escarpment Trail. She sustained a number of injuries, and was transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Feb 3)
February 3, 2024, a hiker falls off ledge on the escarpment trail near the trailhead.


Lost Hiker

On December 12, 2023 NY State Rangers received a call for a 17-year-old lost hiker on the East side of Slide Mountain. He was exhausted from the snow, cold, and rugged terrain. Click image for more details (Dec 12)
December 12, 2023, a 17-year-old hiker was lost on the slide mountain wilderness on a 2 day backpack.


Illegal Activity

On November 18, 2023 NY State Rangers received a call of illegal activity in the Delaware Wild Forest. Upon investigation, Rangers issued numerous tickets to two hunters Click image for more details (Nov 18)
November 18, 2023, two hunters were ticketed for illegal activity in the Delaware Wild Forest near colchester, ny.


Injured Hiker

On November 24, 2023 a 68 year-old man from Oneonta was injured about 1-1/2 miles from Winter Clove Inn in a difficult region. The hiker was carried out of the woods. Click image for more details (Nov 24)
November 24, 2023, a hiker was injured near Winter Clove Inn.


Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain Club has started to make significant restrictions to the public, and quickly moving towards the ski center becoming a private club. Many people in the community have expressed significant anger to these changes. Click image for more details (Nov 15)
November 15, 2023, Windham Mountain Club closes mountain biking and restricts access to the ski center.


Injury at MTA

October 8, 2023 a 70-year-old man injured his leg on the Hemlock Trail at the Mountain Top Aboretum. The trail runs down towards Hidden Meadows and is popular for hikers Click image for more details (Oct 8)
September 26, 2023, a 70-year-old male injured his leg at the Mountain Top Aboretum on the Hemlock Trail


Newman's Ledge

October 3, 2023 a 34-year-old man injured his leg near Newman's Ledge on the Escarpment Trail. The trail near the ledge is very rocky and difficult. Click image for more details (Oct 3)
September 26, 2023, a 34-year-old male injured his leg near Newman's Ledge on the Escarpment trail


Windham Mountain

Windham Mountain has been renamed to Windham Mountain Club. It also has new owners, who are investing an additional 70 million dollar in changes. Some believe that it could become a private ski center in the future. Click image for more details (Oct 5)
October 5, 2023, Windham Mountain gets new owners and new name, Windham Mountain Club


Peekamoose SAR

September 26, 2023 a 70-year-old man broke his leg on the Peekamoose Trail in the Slide Mountain Wilderness. He was carried 3 miles out and transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Sept 26)
September 26, 2023, a 70-year-old male injured his leg on the Peekamoose Trail in the Slide Mountain Wilderness


Death Diamond Notch

September 16, 2023 a 50-year-old man from New Jersey collapsed and went into cardiac arrest. CPR was performed, but they were unable to revive him. Click image for more details (Sept 16)
September 16, 2023, a 50-year-old male went into cardiac arrest on the Diamond Notch Trail in the Hunter - West Kill Wilderness


Unprepared Hiker

September 9, 2023 a 36-year-old woman called for help when overwhelmed and unprepared for the Burroughs Range Hike. Click image for more details (Sept 9)
September 9, 2023, a 36-year-old female called for help when it got dark on the Slide Cornell Wittenberg trail


Injury on Wittenberg

August 26, 2023 a 25-year-old woman injured her ankle while bushwhacking near the summit of Wittenberg Mtn. She was evacuated via helicopter for medical care. Finished up 10:30pm. Click image for more details (Aug 26)
August 26, 2023, a 25-year-old female injured her ankle while bushwhacking Wittenberg Mountain.


Altercation on Tremper

August 21, 2023 two hikers got into a major altercation on Tremper Mountain in the very early hours of the morning. NY Ranger Martin spent 3 hours searching for the two hikers. Click image for more details (Aug 14)
August 21, 2023, a major altercation between two hikers on Tremper Mountain.


Fell off ledge

August 14, 2023 a 11-year-old girl fell off the rock lookout by the John Robb Lean-to. It took 6 hours to extract her and bring back to the trailhead. She was then transported to the hospital Click image for more details (Aug 14)
August 14, 2023, a female fell off a ledge at the John Robb Lean-to on Hunter Mountain.


Swimmer Injured

August 19, 2023 a female swimmer fell off the ledge near Fawn's Leap and landed on a ledge below. Rescuers spent 3 hours removing her from the ledge to safety. She was transported to the hospital Click image for more details (Aug 19)
August 19, 2023, a female fell off a cliff near Fawn's Leap and landed on a ledge below.


Swimmer Injury

August 12, 2023 a 38-year-old male from Colorado was injured when he jumped off a rock into Kaaterskill Creek. NY Ranger Dawson helped the man back to Rt 23a where he decided to seek medical attention. Click image for more details (Aug 12)
August 12, 2023, a 38-year-old male was injured when he jumped into Kaaterskill Creek.


Swimmer Death

August 8, 2023 a 16-year-old male drown at the bottom of fawn's leap waterfall after getting caught in a water eddy. Divers from law enforcement recovered his body from the Kaaterskill Creek floor below Fawn's Leap. Click image for more details (Aug 8)
August 8, 2023, a 16-year-old male drown below Fawn's Leap waterfall after getting caught in a water eddy.


Hiker Injury

August 6, 2023 a 70-year-old woman fell on the Kaaterskill Rail Trail and suffer numerous injureis. NY Rangers provided first aid and transported her the Laurel House Parking Area and transported to the hospital. Click image for more details (Aug 6)
August 6, 2023, a woman fell on the Kaaterskill Rail Trail and sustained numerous injuries.


Bear Incident

August 4, 2023 a 23-year-old woman from Canada was being followed for an extensive amount of time by a Black Bear near North Point on the Escarpment Trail. She created a diversion, and called the Rangers. Click image for more details (Aug 4)
August 4, 2023, a woman was being followed by a black bear near North Point on the Escarpment Trail.


Hiker Lost

July 31, 2023 a caregiver was taking a person with early stage dementia for a hike near Samuel's Point on an old logging trail. After he stepped off the path, she took off and got lost. She was located hours later. Click image for more details (July 31)
July 31, 2023, a dementia patient got lost near the base of Samuel's Point


Anaphylatic Shock

July 29, 2023 a 27-year-old from NJ was stung by a bee by the Scutt PA, and had a severe allergic reaction. Ranger Dawson contacted a paramedic to administer Epinephrine to stop the allergic reaction Click image for more details (July 29)
July 29, 2023, a 27-year-old had an anaphylatic reaction to a bee sting at the Scutt parking area


Kaaterskill Falls Stairs

July 29, 2023 a 18-year-old girl, from NYC, fell on the stairs on the trail down to the middle basin of Kaaterskill Falls. She was helped down to Rt 23 where Ranger Dawson transported her back to Scutt PA Click image for more details (July 29)
July 29, 2023, a 18-year-old girl fell on the stone steps on Kaaterskill Falls


Seizure at Blue Hole

July 28, 2023 a 13-year-old girl, from Hurley NY, had a serious seizure at the Blue Hole in the Peekamoose Valley. She was transported to the hospital to recover. Click image for more details (July 28)
July 28, 2023, a young teeanger swimmer had a serious seizure at the blue hole


Fawn's Leap Accident

July 26, 2023 a 28-year-old swimmer fell off Fawn's Leap to the rocks below causing severe injury to his leg and arms. NYS Rangers called a helicopter to transport the swimmer to the hospital. Click image for more details (July 26)
July 26, 2023, a swimmer fell off fawn's leap to the rocks below in the Kaaterskill Clove


16 People Rescued

July 25, 2023 (16) swimmers had to be rescued at Fawn's Leap and Rat's Hole on the Kaaterskill Creek after a flash flood event. Rt 23a was closed for 4 hours for the rescue. UPDATED Click image for more details (July 25)
July 25, 2023, 16 swimmers were rescued in a flash flood on kaaterskill creek in the Catksill Mountain region


DEC Updates

JULY 2023 - New York State DEC provided an update on projects, maintenance and warnings within the Catkill Mountain Park. Click image for more details (July 28)
July 2023, the DEC provide an update on Forest and Roads within the Catksill Mountain region


261 acres acquired

The New York DEC and Open Spaces Institute worked together to acquire 261 acres of forest on the east side of South Mtn in the Sundown Wild Forest. Located just north of Ashokan High Peak. Click image for more details (Jul 12)
new york state acquires 261 acres between south mountain and ashokan reservoir


Leg Injury on Hunter

On July 12, 2023 a 41-year-old hiker sustained a leg injury on Hunter Mountain. NYS Rangers helped her down the mountain, where she sought out medical help on her own. Click image for more details (Jul 12)
On July 12, 2023 a 41-year-old injured her leg on Hunter Mountain.


Lost on Wittenberg

On July 12, 2023 a 26-year-old inexperienced hiker became lost near the summit of Wittenberg Mountain. Rangers spent 7-8 hours finding and guiding the hiker down the mountain. Click image for more details (Jul 12)
On July 12, 2023 a 26-year-old inexperienced hiker got lost on Wittenberg Mountain.


Canadian Smoke

On July 17, 2023 Smoke from the Canadian Forest Fires have returned to the Catksill Mountains. The smoke was very obvious, and caused difficult for people with breathing problems. Presently, we do not know when the weather changes will cause the smoke to be pushed back up past Catskill Mountains. Click image for more details (Jul 17)
On July 17, 2023 smoke from the Canadian forest fires has returned.


Bear Incident

On July 8, 2023 a camper at North-South Lake left food unattended at their campsite. A Black Bear helped itself to the food. Ranger Gullen ticked the group for leaving food unattended. Click image for more details (Jul 8)
On July 8, 2023 a group of campers left food out, which a black bear helped itself to.


Hiker put chairs on Slide

On July 8, 2023 a group of hikers carried up several ADK chairs and left them at the summit of Slide Mountain. Ranger Martin asked them to remove the chair. When they refused to comply, Ranger Martin ticketed them. Click image for more details (Jul 8)
On July 8, 2023 a group of hikers left some ADK chairs on the summit of slide mountain


Hiker falls off Ledge

On July 1, 2023 a woman fell off the trail from the Escarpment Trail to Bears Den. Rangers Peterson, Dawson and Fox responded. She was transported down to North-South Lake Campgrounds and taken to the hospital for her injuries Click image for more details (Jul 1)
On July 1, 2023 1 60-year-old woman from NYC falls off ledge by bears den


Illegal Camping

On June 21, 2023 DEC was notified that a group of 60 people were camping on Giant Ledge. New York DEC Rangers Horn, Martin, and Rusher responded and ticketed the group leaders for illegally camping Click image for more details (Jun 21)
On June 21, 2023 DEC officers confiscated a monitor lizard from a seller in Sullivan County


Monitor Lizard

On May 11, 2023 DEC Investigators and ECO officers responded to a seller in Sullivan County who was trying to sell a 5-1/2 foot Monitor Lizard for $1,400. The lizard was confiscated and the seller was ticketed. Click image for more details (May 11)
On may 11, 2023 DEC officers confiscated a monitor lizard from a seller in Sullivan County


DEC Updates

JUNE 2023 - New York State DEC provided an update on projects, maintenance and warnings within the Catkill Mountain Park. Click image for more details (June 22)
June 2023, the DEC provide an update on Forest and Roads within the Catksill Mountain region


Ash Trees

The DEC has been battling the Emerald Ash Borer since 2009. Today 99% of the Ash Trees between Kingston-Saugerties-Phoenicia are now dead. They have spread aggressively, and it appears that they will not able to stop the ash borers in North America. Click image for more details (June 14)
battle to save ash trees from the emerald ash borer now appears to be doomed.


Hikers Lost

On June 6, 2023, two woman were hiking in the Windham-Blackhead Wilderness when they became lost. When it started to get dark, they called for help. Rangers Fox and Allwine were able to locate them at the Batavia Kill Lean-to, and got them out a little after mid-night. Click image for more details (June 6)
On June 6, 2023 two women were lost in the blackhead wilderness.


Broken Arm

On May 31, 2023, a 58-year-old woman from Brazil fell and broke her arm on the slippery rocks at the basin of Kaaterskill Falls. DEC Ranger Dawson and EMS splinted the womans arm and transported her to a local hospital. Click image for more details (May 31)
On May 31, 2023 a woman from brazil broke her arm at katterskill falls.


Hiker Lost

On May 28, 2023, a 43-year-old local hiker got lost deep into Vernooy Swamp. NYS Rangers located her just before midnight. Rangers were able to bushwhack her out of the swamp and back to her home. Click image for more details (May 28)
On May 28, 2023 a local hiker got lost in Vernooy Swamp, and was located near midnight.


Hiker Injured

On May 26, 2023, a hiker injured her ankle on the Becker Hollow Trail to Hunter Mountain. Her hiker partner called NYS Rangers for help. NYS Rangers splinted her ankle and helped her down Hunter Mountain. Click image for more details (May 26)
On May 26, 2023 a hiker broke her ankle on the Becker Hollow Trail to Hunter Mountain.


Wildfire in Neversink

On May 16, 2023, a person at the Blue Hole notice smoke coming from the summit of Peekamoose Mountain. The fire was actually in the Neversink. Took two days to put the fire out. Click image for more details (May 16)
On May 16, 2023 forest fire in the neversink that burned for two days


Hiker Lost

On May 14, 2023, a group of hikers from Long Island got lost on the hike up Overlook Mountain and tried to cross some Mountain Laurel, where couldn't keep going. They were found 1/4 mile off the trail. Click image for more details (May 14)
On May 14, 2023 a group of hikers got lost on Overlook Mountain


Hiker Exhausted

On May 13, 2023, a 64-year-old hiker from Albany, New York became exhausted on Plateau Mountain. Two hiking partners stayed with them until NYS Rangers arrived. After providing food and fluid, the hiker was able to exit the woods on their own power. Click image for more details (May 13)
On May 13, 2023 a hiker became exhausted on Plateau Mountain


Hiker Injured

On May 8, 2023, a 69-year-old hiker from Flushing, New York fell at Kaaterskill Falls. She injured her ankle and could not walk back to his vehicle at the bottom of Laurel House Road. New York State Rangers carried the injured hiker to a DEC Ranger truck and transported him back to the Parking Area on Laurel House Road. Click image for more details (May 8)
Hiker injured at Kaaterskill Falls on Jan 10, 2022.


Update on Roads

On Apr 27, 2023, the New York State DEC provided an update on Roads and Forest within the Catkill Mountain Park. Click image for more details (Apr 27)
On Apr 27, 2023 the DEC provide an update on Forest and Roads within the Catksill Mountain region


Visitor Use Mgmt

On May 10, 2023, the New York State DEC will hold hearing at the Hunter Mountain Base Lodge (Coppertree Restaurant) between 5:30 - 8:30pm. Click image for more details (Apr 27)
On May 10, 2023 the DEC will hold hearings on Visitor Use Management


Hunter Rail Trail

On April 22, 2023, the Hunter Rail Trail opened to the public for hiking and mountain biking. You can start on Clove Road off Rt 214 or by Dolan Lake Park. This section is 1.74 miles long Click image for more details (Apr 22)
On April 22, 2023 the Hunter Rail Trail opened to the public


Exhausted at Echo Lake

On February 23, 2023, a 18-year-old hiker hiker from NYC was camping at Echo Lake. He tried leave but became exhausted and needed assistance from the NYS Forest Rangers. Click image for more details (Feb 23)
On February 23, 2023 a 75-year-old hiker lost on Ashokan High Peak trailat night


Lost Hiker on AHP

On February 20, 2023, a 75-year-old hiker local hiker became lost on the trail to AHP. When it became dark and her batteries drained, she could no longer see and got lost. DEC Rangers were able to locate her quickly. Click image for more details (Feb 20)
On February 20, 2023 a 75-year-old hiker lost on Ashokan High Peak trailat night


Injury on Sugarloaf

On February 11, 2023, a 65-year-old hiker from Connecticut fell on the west side of Sugarloaf Mountain and injured his ankle. Many of the high peaks in the Catskill have post-holing on the trail because of hikers not wearing snowshoes. Click image for more details (Feb 11)
On February 11, 2023 a 65-year-old hiker injured his ankle on Sugarloaf mountain


Serious Injury on Ice

On January 15, 2023, two hikers from the same hiking party fell in separate incidents. Both were hiking Giant Ledge without microspikes. One required to be carried out, and the other hiker was transported to the hospital by helicopter. Click image for more details (Jan 15)
On December 15, 2022 two hikers were injured on Giant Ledge by slipping on the ice. Neither were wearing microspikes


Broken Femur

On January 11, 2023, a 69-year-old male mountain biker fell and broke his femur at the Wintergreen Region of the Bluestone Wild Forest in the Town of Kingston. He was located approximately 1 mile east of the Woods Road TH. Click image for more details (Jan 11)
On December 11, 2022 a 69-year-old mountain bikers falls and breaks his femur in the bluestone wild forest on the Woods Road


.
Winter Hiking & Survival
how to safely do winter hiking and survival

Escarpment Trail
how to safely do winter hiking and survival

Lightning Safety
lightning safety

FAQ Catskills
FAQ for catskill mountains
 

  S E C T I O N S


  W E A T H E R


  O T H E R

Copyright 2001-2023 www.catskillmountaineer.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED