Weekend of November 11th

Last updated: November 10, 2022

Weekend of November 11th

We’ll see a mostly cloudy weekend in the Catskills with a moderate chance of rain expected both Friday and Saturday. Be sure to prepare for the potential for wet, muddy, and slick trails due to rain showers in the area. Trails will be slick from rain, fallen leaves, pine needles, and mud. Temperatures are steadily becoming cooler, especially at night. Be sure to stick to trails and walk directly through mud puddles to reduce trail-widening impacts.

Trail Conditions: This week’s Trail Conditions are brought to you by West Kill Brewing. Looks like rainy and muddy conditions are in store for the Catskills this weekend with a moderate chance of rain expected both Friday and Saturday. Be sure to prepare for the potential for wet, muddy, and slick trails with extra clothing and gear to stay dry! Trails will be slick from rain, fallen leaves, pine needles and mud. Temperatures are steadily becoming cooler, especially at night. Be sure to stick to trails and walk directly through mud puddles to reduce trail-widening impacts. Prepare for your hike with boots, ankle gaiters, and trekking poles to ensure easy travel through the middle of muddy sections. Conditions can abruptly turn wet, windy or chilly in the backcountry or an injury can result in an unplanned night out, so it’s necessary to carry extra clothes beyond those required for your trip.

Sunrise is at 6:42 am and sunset is at 4:39 pm. This weekend brings a Waning Gibbous moon. 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:  Showers early, becoming a steady rain later in the day. Potential for heavy rainfall. High near 61 degrees.Chance of rain 100%. Winds SSE at 5-10 mph. Rainfall around a half an inch. Friday night: Rain. Potential for heavy rainfall continues. Low 58 degrees. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch. Saturday: Rain showers early with some sunshine later in the day. Morning high of 59 degrees with temps falling to near 50 degrees. Winds WNW at 10-15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Saturday night: Expect a few clouds with a low of 35 degrees.  Sunday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine, high near 43 degrees. Winds WNW at 10-15 mph. Sunday night: A few clouds from time to time with a low of 28 degrees.

Source: Weather.com

THIS WEEK’S RAINY DAY HIKING TIPS: 

  • Keep an eye on the weather. 
  • Remember that staying dry is easier than drying out after you’re wet. Don’t wait to throw on your rain shell, or to take cover in a full-on rain shower.
  • Constantly self-assess. Add layers or grab a snack if you’re starting to feel a little cold. 
  • Ditch destination fever. If a relentless storm makes things miserable or downright hazardous, turn around and call it a day. 
  • Temperatures will get quite cold overnight. Bringing a full clothing layering system with you in your pack is essential for day hikes and overnight hikes. This includes non-cotton layers, warm hat, gloves, and a “puffy” – an insulated jacket that’s easy to take on and off throughout your hike.

Added protection options for your pack include the following: 

  • Rain pack cover. Some packs come with one, or you can buy a cover sized to fit your daypack.
  • Lightweight dry sacks.You can use these inside your pack for your most vulnerable gear.
  • Waterproof cases. Look for one that’s specially designed to fit your phone, helmet cam or other favorite gadget.
  • Ziplock plastic bags. These are inexpensive, though not unfailingly waterproof nor particularly durable.
  • Trash bags. On a rainy day, some might call this the Eleventh Essential. You can use the scissors on your multi-tool to fashion a crude pack cover out of one. You can also use one to double-bag important items for added protection. And it’s always a good move to use one to carry out trash you find along the trail.
Rainy view of Mt. Pleasant. Photo by Finn Parnell

CVC Loop Trail Conditions. Photo by Finn Parnell

Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2022: the DEC has announced the return of the Catskill Fire Tower Challenge for 2022! Starting on January 1st, 2022, and going through December 31st, 2022, hikers can earn a prize and a certificate for completing all six of the fire towers in the Catskill Park: Overlook, Red Hill, Balsam Lake, Mount Tremper, Hunter, and the Upper Esopus. Learn more by visiting the Catskill Fire Tower Project website and the DEC’s Fire Tower Challenge website.

Recreate Responsibly: 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.

I Love NY Fall Foliage Report:

Hunting Season Notices: Regular hunting season has ended, however, some small game is still in season.  Please review the DEC hunting season map for specific information.

Fishing Season Notices: 

  • To coincide with Veterans Day on Friday, November 11, NY residents and non-residents are invited to connect with the outdoors and fish for free without a fishing license. For more information, check here.
  • From October 16th to March 31st, trout fishing is permitted for catch and release only. Valid fishing licenses and artificial lures are required.
  • From April 1st to October 15th, trout fishing is permitted for harvesting with a valid fishing license. Three fish are allowed per day, with one over 12″.

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

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

Temporary Closures: The following destinations are closed in the Catskills. For any information or clarification, please feel free to call (845) 688-3369 or email info@catskillcenter.org:

– DEC has temporarily stopped issuing permits for backcountry camping for groups of 10 or more (link to: the DEC’s website). As of June 11, the DEC resumed issuing permits for groups of fewer than 10 people who would like to stay for more than three nights at one location on state lands. DEC is also temporarily restricting lean-to use to members of a single household at a time.

Doubletop and Graham Access: As of Wednesday, January 13th, 2021 public access to the two peaks, Doubletop and Graham Mountain ended. We at 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 membership of the club.

Peekamoose Blue Hole: Permits are not required at this time. Permits are required every day during 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 – September 15. Permits can be acquired from the Reserve America website at: https://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com

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! Note that most trails will not have any garbage receptacles. Always be prepared to take any garbage back in your car 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-4:00 pm Trails open from dawn to dusk. The CVC does require masks upon entry to the building and please remember to socially distance when visiting the 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, 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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