Weekend of May 19
Partly cloudy skies and a chance of rain showers are in store this weekend for the Catskills. We’ll see partly cloudy skies on Friday, with a high of 68 degrees. Friday night will be cloudy with a low of 50 degrees. Saturday will be overcast with rain showers and a high of 66 degrees. Saturday night will be overcast with steady rain and a low of 48 degrees. Sunday will be partly cloudy with a high of 72 degrees. Sunday night will be clear with a low of 49 degrees.Higher elevations could be much cooler so remember to carry extra layers. Trails can be wet and muddy in spring; wear waterproof footwear and gaiters. In muddy sections, go slow and take smaller steps to try to avoid slipping.
Trail Conditions: Expect mixed trail conditions this weekend with muddy sections in some areas. Temps will be near 70 on Friday with partly cloudy skies. Saturday will be cloudy and rainy with a high of 66F. Sunday will be partly cloudy with a high of 72F. Prepare for your hike with proper boots and ankle gaiters, and walk directly through mud puddles to prevent trail widening and damaging fragile plants.
Sunrise is at 5:33 am and sunset is at 8:14 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.
Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY): Friday: Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. High 68F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Friday night: Partly cloudy early with increasing clouds overnight. Low around 50F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Saturday: Rain showers in the morning becoming a steady light rain in the afternoon. High 66F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Saturday night: Rain ending early. Partial clearing late. Low 48F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Sunday: A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 72F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. Sunday night: Clear skies. Low 49F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
Source: Weather.com
THIS WEEK’S HIKING TIP: Stay hydrated. Aim to drink at least 32 ounces before hitting the trails, and bring enough to drink about 16 ounces for every hour of hiking.
To report a wildfire, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) or contact a forest ranger in your area.
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
Fishing Notice: Trout season runs from April 1-Oct 15. For more information, visit NYSDEC.
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:
- 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..
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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