Weekend of February 10

The Catskills will see partly cloudy skies with temperatures ranging from 36 to near 50 degrees this weekend. A high of 45 degrees on Friday will then dip on Saturday, to a high of 36 degrees. Snow flurries are possible. Temperatures will then head back up to near 50 on Sunday with intervals of clouds and sun. Trails will be mostly wet from Thursday’s rain and snow showers. Expect snow at higher elevations. Stay dry, dress in layers, and pack traction aids. You’ll find microspikes, snowshoes, and trekking poles for rent at the Catskills Visitor Center.  We also have microspikes for sale. 

Trail Conditions: This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by Eminence Road Farm Winery. You can expect muddy trails in most areas this weekend with snow and ice coverage at higher elevations. Friday’s high of 45 degrees will feel colder due to wind gusts of up to 40 mph. Temperatures Saturday will be colder, with a high of 36 degrees. Sunday brings a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 46 degrees. Overnight temperatures will be in the 20s all weekend. Walk directly through mud puddles to prevent trail widening and damage to fragile plants. Prepare for your hike with proper boots, ankle gaiters, and trekking poles to ensure easy travel. It is recommended to pack snowshoes and traction devices. Drink and carry plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every two hours). Leave stream, river, and lake water for wildlife. Mountain stream water can be filled with bacteria, viruses, and parasites and make you ill. 

Sunrise is at 6:59 am and sunset is at 5:23 pm. You’ll see a Waning Gibbous moon this weekend. Always bring a headlamp or flashlight with you and never rely solely on your phone flashlight. 

Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY): Friday: Partly cloudy skies. Gusty winds in the morning. High near 45F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Friday night: Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 26F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Saturday: Partly cloudy skies. High 37F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Saturday night: Mainly clear early, then a few clouds later on. Low 24F. Winds light and variable. Sunday: More clouds than sun. High 46F. Winds light and variable. Sunday night: Overcast. Low 29F. Winds light and variable.

Source: Weather.com

THIS WEEK’S HIKING TIP:  Bring matches and a firestarter. In case of emergencies, a small fire can be invaluable. Bring along waterproof matches and either a store-bought or homemade fire starter to get that fire going so you won’t be trying to rub wet sticks together.

Free Fishing Days: NYSDEC is offering free Fishing Days Feb 18-19, for President’s Day weekend. Residents and non-residents who are 16 and older can participate in fresh water fishing without a license. Even though a license is not needed, all other fishing regulations apply.

Hike Smart by packing the proper gear. See the NYS DEC’s recommended packing list (PDF) and safety tips. 

Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2023: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) 2023 Fire Tower Challenge is under way and runs through Dec 31, 2023. Hikers can earn a prize and a certificate for climbing all six fire towers in the Catskill Park — Overlook, Red Hill, Balsam Lake, Mount Tremper, Hunter, and the Upper Esopus (at the Catskills Visitor Center). Stewardship of the fire towers is a partnership with the Catskill Center. Learn more by visiting the Catskill Fire Tower Project website and the DEC’s Fire Tower Challenge website.

Recreate Responsibly: There is an informative new set of guidelines put together by several outdoor organizations. The Catskill Center recommends following the Recreate Responsibly principles and taking precautions before, during, and after your outing.

Trail Register Information: (the books found inside metal boxes at the start of all hiking trails) The NYSDEC encourages all visitors to continue to sign in and out at trail registers. These registers provide important information on trail usage and hiker safety.

Seasonal Roads and Trailhead Closures: The following roads are seasonal roads that are not maintained during winter months and are generally closed from November to April 15 of each year:

• Platte Clove Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter)  – closed Nov 1 to April 15
• 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)
• Molly Smith Trailhead on Route 23A – Kaaterskill Wild Forest (Town of Hunter)
  DEC recommends visitors access Kaaterskill Falls by parking at the Laurel House Road, Schutt Road, or South Lake parking areas.

Temporary Closures: 

511NY road closure map (updated daily)

• Catskills Trail Conditions Facebook Group (updated regularly by locals and visitors to the area)
• Catskills 3500 Club Facebook homepage with updates
• Ulster County Road Closures

Doubletop and Graham Access: Public access to the two peaks has ended. We at the Catskill Center are thankful to the landowners who have made their property accessible to hikers for many years and respect their decision. The Catskill 3500 Club has decided that the remaining 33 peaks will make up the collection of Catskill mountains to be hiked for club membership..

Peekamoose Blue Hole: Permits are not required at this time, as it is off-season. Permits are required every day of the week to access the entirety of the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor during the permit season. This includes day hike access to Peekamoose and Table Mountains, camping, access to the Blue Hole, and Buttermilk Falls. DEC permits are required to visit this site from May 15 – Sept 15. Permits can be acquired from the Reserve America website at: https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

Carry In, Carry Out: The Catskill Park is a carry in, carry out park — please be sure to hike out with all of your trash and dispose of it properly. Note that most trails will not have any garbage receptacles. Always be prepared to take any garbage back with you.  

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 open from 9:30 am-4 pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from December through March. Trails open from dawn to dusk. Email us at the Catskills Visitor Center: info@catskillcenter.org, or call us at (845) 688-3369. The Center’s online store carries trail maps, trail guides, and more for purchase.

Most Recent Trail Update | NYSDEC Catskill Backcountry Info | CVC Online Gift Shop

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