It’s going to be a hot one this weekend. Be sure and bring lots of water and extra layers for those summit hangouts. It looks like we went right from spring to summer. There is a chance of rain throughout the weekend, so prepare for muddy trail sections and bring your rain gear.

This week’s Trail Conditions are brought to you by West Kill Brewing. Expect trails this weekend to have some mud, with most of the trail being dry.  Some rain is expected Thursday and Sunday evening which could lead to increased mud on the trails. Be sure and hike through these muddy sections rather than around, this helps prevent trail-widening. Saturday and Sunday are looking hot and sunny. Be sure to bring lots of water and extra layers for the summit. Summits are often much cooler and windier than most of the trail, after a hot and sweaty hike, this can easily lead to becoming chilled. If your four-legged friend comes along for the hike don’t forget to bring extra water for them and be sure to offer it often, as they can’t tell you when they need to hydrate. 

Sunrise is at 5:33 am and sunset at 8:14 pm. Always remember to bring a headlamp or flashlight when you head out and never rely solely on phone flashlights. 

 Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY): Thursday: Rain, mainly before 11am, then a chance of showers after 1pm. High near 67. South wind 7 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 7pm. Patchy fog after 5am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 51. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. Light south wind increasing to 9 to 14 mph in the morning.Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Saturday: A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Sunny and hot, with a high near 94. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69. Sunday: A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Sunday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 60%. (Source: National Weather Service.gov)

This week’s hiking tip:

-Be sure and plan ahead

Make sure to take the time to research local rules and regulations in the area you are planning to hike. This will help you be prepared and have a safe and enjoyable visit. 

Permits for the Peekamoose Blue Hole Riparian area are in effect!

 A permit is needed for Visiting the Blue Hole, Camping at Upper / Middle/ Lower Fields, or hiking Bangle Hill or Peekamoose from the Peekamoose road side. Permits can be found here. 

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.

Catskills Visitor Center (CVC): in Mt. Tremper, NY is open from 9:30-4:00 pm every day except Tuesday including newly installed exhibits, maps, information, and a gift shop. A fire tower is located on the property as well as nature trails. Call the Visitor Center at 845-688-3369 or email info@catskillcenter.org. Visitor Center trails are open from dawn to dusk.

DEC Notices: A burn ban is in effect from March 16 through May 14. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed, but only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. Never leave any fire unattended.

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: 

• 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:

• Platte Clove Road – Indian Head Wilderness (Town of Hunter)  – closed November 1st to April 15th
• 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: 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.

• 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: 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.

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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