A mixture of sun and showers will greet us this weekend. On Friday and Saturday there is a chance of rain. Sunday looks clear and mild. Continue to follow recommendations on safety and social distancing from the state and the CDC. Use your best judgement when traveling and keep alternate plans in mind if you’re visiting a trailhead.
Trail Conditions
Trails should be mostly dry and in good condition this weekend. Bugs – from ticks, to black flies and mosquitoes – will be out. Make sure to do a thorough tick check after spending time outdoors, whether you’re near short or high grasses. Long sleeves and pants of light colors help you spot them.
Information on Trail Registers (the books found inside metal boxes at the start of all hiking trails)
The NYSDEC encourages everyone to continue to sign in and out at trail registers. These provide important information on trail usage and hiker safety. Suggestions for signing in and out: pick one person in your group to fill in the register for everyone, consider bringing your own pen or pencil, and bring hand sanitizer to use before and after touching the trail register.
Temporary Closures
Right now the following are closed in the Catskills. For any information or clarification, please feel free to email info@catskillcenter.org:
-Kaaterskill Falls and all of the trails that lead to the falls in Palenville and Haines Falls, NY.
-Shavertown Trail in Andes, NY.
-NYSDEC campgrounds and pavilions are all currently closed to overnight visitation, no reservations are currently being accepted.
-NYSDEC fire towers in the Catskills (Balsam Lake, Hunter, Overlook, Red Hill, Tremper, Upper Esopus) are currently closed. The trails that lead to the towers are open.
-Overnight camping is suspended in Peekamoose Valley, Sundown Wild Forest until further notice (More camping suspension information here).
-The building of the Catskills Visitor Center in Mt. Tremper, NY is currently closed. Visitor Center trails are open.
Peekamoose Blue Hole
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is temporarily reducing by half (from 50 to 25) the number of permits issued per day to visit the Peekamoose Blue Hole in the town of Denning.
DEC permits are required to visit this site on weekends and holidays from May 15 – October 15. Permits are available as late as one day in advance, but more no more than seven days in advance. Permits can be acquired from Reserve America at: https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com
Hike Safe Tips of the Week:
Spray clothes with Permethrin!
Permethrin is a lasting deterrent for ticks and mosquitoes that is only useable on fabrics (don’t put it on skin!). It can be sprayed on clothes, hats, socks, and shoes about a day before you plan to go outside. Let fabrics dry before wearing, consider spraying outdoors or in a well ventilated area.
-Pack 2 liters or 67 ounces of water minimum for you for a day hike, more if it’s hot outside or if you have a pet with you.
Graham and Doubletop Mountain Access
From the Catskill 3500 Club
For permission to hike on Graham or Doubletop, call Bill, the caretaker, at his office number: (845) 586-4099. He will be responding during Monday-Friday business hours. This is a landline, so texts will not work. He will not longer be replying to the cell number originally listed, even if it is a text.
Follow the guidance for your region and only ask for permission to hike if travel is appropriate. Please be respectful of these protocols so that we do not lose access to these mountains.
Recreate Responsibly
A great new set of guidelines put together by several outdoor organizations.
Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY)
Friday, a 40% chance of showers with thunderstorms possible after noon. Partly sunny, a high near 85. Friday night, a chance of showers, mostly cloudy with a low of 64. Saturday, a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm. Partly sunny with a high near 81. Saturday night, partly cloudy with a low around 53. Sunday, mostly sunny with a high near 73. Sunday night, mostly clear with a low around 48.
Carry It In, Carry It Out
The Catskill Park is a carry it in, carry it out park—please be sure to hike out all of your trash and dispose of it properly!
National Trails Day
An annual event organized by the American Hiking Society turned virtual this year would have happened in person this upcoming weekend to help protect trails all around the country. How can you still help? Check out these suggestions!
Weather
Be aware of and prepared for changing weather conditions in the Catskills. Stay current with the National Weather Service Weather Forecast. The NY Mesonet has stations in and just outside of Catskills that provide real time weather data and forecasts. Hudson Valley Weather provides detailed forecasts for the Hudson Valley and the Catskills.
In An Emergency: Report backcountry emergencies, such as lost or injured hikers and forest fires to the DEC Forest Rangers at 518-408-5850 or call 911.
The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) hosts a weather station in the MesoWest Network. Check the current weather conditions. The Center is located at 5096 Route 28 in Mt Tremper, NY. The Visitor Center building is currently closed, however trails remain open. Please remember to socially distance when visiting the CVC’s trails by giving other visitors 6 feet minimum distance and wearing a mask when you meet others.
Email us at the Catskills Visitor Center: info@catskillcenter.org.
