Weekend of June 23

Weekend of June 23

Thunderstorms and rain showers are in store for the Catskills throughout the weekend with temperatures in the low to mid-70s. We will see cloudy skies with rain showers and thunderstorms on Friday with a high of 72 degrees. Friday night will bring rain and thunderstorms with a low of 65 degrees. Saturday will be cloudy with rain and scattered thunderstorms and a high of 78 degrees. Saturday night will be cloudy with continued rain showers and thunderstorms, and a low of 63 degrees. Expect Sunday to be cloudy with thunderstorms and rain with a high of 77 degrees. Sunday night will be cloudy and rainy with a few thunderstorms and a low of 64 degrees. Higher elevations will be cooler.

Trail Conditions: This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by NYSEG. Expect lots of muddy sections of trail from rain. Rocks and tree roots will be extra slippery when wet. Prepare for your hike with proper boots and ankle gaiters and walk directly through mud puddles to prevent trail widening and damaging fragile plants. Anticipate colder temperatures at higher elevations. Pack the appropriate layers and gear in case your trip goes longer than planned or an unexpected overnight occurs. Carry a trail map with you.

Sunrise is at 5:22 am and sunset is at 8:36 pm. We’ll see a Waxing Crescent Moon this weekend. Always bring a headlamp or flashlight with you in case your hike takes longer than planned, and never rely solely on your phone flashlight.

Catskill Stewards: Established by the Catskill Center in 2018 as a response to high use in the Catskill Park, today the Catskill Stewards program runs at four high-use trailheads throughout the Catskills, Catskill fire towers, and along the Devil’s Path. Our stewards are seasonal employees who work to help visitors understand the importance of responsible recreation in the outdoors. Our stewards are trained Leave No Trace educators and certified in Wilderness First Aid.

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured, keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Forest Ranger Dispatch, 833-NYS-RANGERS (833-697-7264).

Practice Leave No Trace: Please abide by the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace when recreating in the Catskills.

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

WARNING: Backcountry conditions can change suddenly. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlights, first-aid equipment, extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the backcountry. Backcountry hiking trails can be rugged and rough-they are not maintained as park walkways-wear proper footwear!

Travel: Plan on arriving at your destination early and have several back-up plans in place in case parking at your desired location is full.

Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY): Friday: Rain. High 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Friday night: Showers and thundershowers likely. Low near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Saturday: Scattered thunderstorms in the morning becoming more widespread in the afternoon. High 78F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Saturday night: Scattered thunderstorms in the evening with a few showers possible late. Low 63F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%. Sunday: Thunderstorms likely. High 77F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Sunday night: Mostly cloudy with showers and a few thunderstorms. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Source: Weatherbug.com

THIS WEEK’S HIKING TIP: Bring navigation tools. Make sure to bring a map, compass, or GPS for your hiking trip. You’ll want to know where you are and where you’re going at all times, but you will also want to know where all the campsites, emergency exits, water sources and rest areas are located. The American Hiking Society recommends bringing along a map or compass — even if you have a GPS — as a backup. When you know what to expect, you can better plan other details and enjoy the hike without worrying about getting lost.

For More Information:

Peekamoose Blue Hole: Now through Sept 15, permits are required every day of the week to access the entirety of the Peekamoose Valley Riparian Corridor. This includes day hike access to Peekamoose and Table Mountains, camping, access to the Blue Hole, and Buttermilk Falls. NYS Department of Environmental Conservation permits can be acquired from the Reserve America website at: https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

NYSDEC Blue Hole information in Spanish here

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 Center’s Catskill Fire Tower Project website and the DEC’s Fire Tower Challenge website.

Fishing Notice: Trout season runs from April 1-Oct 15. For more information, visit NYSDEC.

Free Fishing Days

Free fishing days offer residents and non-residents who are 16 and older* to fish without a freshwater fishing license or recreational marine fishing registration. (*Kids under 16 can always fish for free!)

2023 Free Fishing Days Schedule:

June 24-25
September 23 (National Hunting and Fishing Day)
November 11 (Veterans Day)

Trail Register Information: (the books found inside metal boxes at the start of all hiking trails) We encourage 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:

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.

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..

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. The Catskills Visitor Center hosts a weather station in the MesoWest Network – check the current weather conditions.

No Overnight Camping at Trailheads: Overnight camping is not permitted at trailheads or other roadside locations where a camping disc is not present. This includes individuals sleeping in cars, vans, and campers. Campers should seek out designated roadside campsites marked with a “camp here” disc or campgrounds. When camping, always carry out what you carry in and dispose of trash properly. Use designated bathroom facilities, pack out human and pet waste, or dig a cat hole.

Have a Back-up Plan: The Catskills is a popular destination with limited parking in most places. Well-known trails get crowded and parking spots fill up quickly and early. Have several backup plans. If you arrive at your desired location and cannot find parking, move on to back-up locations until you find a place with safe, legal parking.

Layer Up: Temperatures can change significantly depending on your location, the time of day and your elevation. Stay safe and warm by wearing non-cotton, moisture-wicking base layers, insulating layers, and waterproof, windproof outer layers. Gaiters can help keep your lower legs and feet dry. Bring additional layers. Wear sturdy waterproof boots that are already broken in.

Manage your time wisely: Be mindful of sunrise and sunset times and plan accordingly. Start long hikes early to maximize sunlight hours and always bring a headlamp. Set a turnaround time and stick to it.

To report a wildfire, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or contact a forest ranger in your area.

The information provided may not reflect current specific conditions. Contact the local Forest Ranger for more current and specific information by calling 518-897-1300 or check the list of Region 3 Forest Rangers or Region 4 Forest Rangers for direct contact information.

The Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center (CVC) is the official visitor center for the Catskill Park and is at 5096 Route 28 in Mt Tremper, NY. The Visitor Center building is open from 9:30 am-4 pm every day from April through November, and 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.

Last updated: June 22, 2023

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