Weekend of June 9

The Catskills will see a mix of sun, clouds, and rain throughout the weekend with temperatures ranging from 64 to near 80 degrees. We will see cloudy skies with thunderstorms developing in the afternoon on Friday with a high of 64 degrees and a 70% chance of rain. Friday night will be cloudy with sporadic showers and a low of 48 degrees. Saturday will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain shower and a high of 72 degrees. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 54 degrees. Sunday will see a mix of sun and clouds in the morning giving way to clouds in the afternoon with a high of 78 degrees. Sunday night will be overcast with rain showers at times with a low of 58 degrees. Higher elevations could be much cooler so remember to carry extra layers. Did you know that the Catskills region is often called the birthplace of American fly fishing? The Catskills region is especially known for trout (rainbow, brook and brown). The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation stocks over 2 million trout in 300 lakes and ponds and 3,100 miles of streams across the state each year. Check out NYSDEC’s fishing information page for details on obtaining a fishing license. 

Trail Conditions: This week’s trail conditions are sponsored by Foxfire Mountain House. Overall good trail conditions are expected this weekend. Expect some muddy sections from expected rain showers. Friday will be cloudy with a 70% chance of rain and a high of 64F. Saturday will be partly cloudy with a slight chance of a rain shower and a high of 72F. Sunday will be a mix of sun and clouds with a high of 78F. 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 5:21 am and sunset is at 8:31 pm. We’ll see a Waning Gibbous 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: As of Friday, the air quality alert has been lifted. Cloudy this morning with thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Friday night: A shower or two around the area early, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 48F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. High 72F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Low 54F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Sunday: A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 78F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Sunday night: Considerable cloudiness with occasional rain showers. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.

Source: Weather.com

THIS WEEK’S HIKING TIP:  Nourish your hiking experience. When you hike or engage in any physical activity, you generally need to consume more food and water than you usually would. Your body needs fuel before and during a hike to replenish your energy, and you also need food after a hike to help your muscles recover. Just as you would not drive a car without gas, you don’t want to strap on your hiking shoes without eating and drinking enough first.

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

NYSDEC Blue Hole information in Spanish here

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)

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

#CatskillsVisitorCenter #CatskillsTrailConditions #CatskillsHiking #CatskillTrailConditions #CatskillMountains