Trail conditions will be varied this weekend in the Catskills. Rain turning to snow Thursday night will make for muddy, snowy, and icy conditions depending on the elevation of your hike. Higher elevations including mountain tops will have snow and ice. Prepare for these conditions with boots, gaiters, and traction devices. Walk directly though muddy sections to limit the effects of trail widening.
Trail Conditions: Trail conditions will be varied this weekend in the Catskills. Rain turning to snow Thursday night will make for muddy, snowy, and icy conditions depending on the elevation of your hike. Higher elevations including mountain tops will have snow and ice. Temperatures will drop quickly into nighttime, bring extra layers to stay warm. Prepare for these conditions with boots, gaiters, and traction devices. Walk directly though muddy sections of trail to limit the effects of widening.
Weekend Weather Forecast (reporting for Mt. Tremper, NY): Thursday Night, rain showers before 3am, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Low around 32. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Friday, a chance of rain showers after 1pm, mixing with snow after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Friday Night, partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Saturday, mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Light and variable wind. Saturday Night, mostly cloudy, with a low around 33. Sunday, a chance of showers after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Sunday Night, showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 60%. (Source: National Weather Service, NOAA)
Hunting Season Notices: Please review the DEC hunting season map for specific information. Hunting season is in effect, consider wearing bright colored clothing while hiking. NEW Deer and Bear Hunting Opportunities and Requirements for 2021
- Daily hunting hours for deer and bear extended to 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset.
- Hunters must wear a fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink hat or vest when hunting deer or bear with a firearm.
- Antlerless harvest allowed again during the early muzzleloader season in Northern Zone WMUs 6A, 6F, 6J.
- Bear season in the Adirondacks is simplified by extending the regular season to cover the full hunting period.
- 12- and 13-year old hunters may hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow in counties that passed a local law to participate in the opportunity. See Junior Big Game Hunting for a map of participating counties.
- Holiday Deer Hunt is an extension of the late bow and muzzleloader season from December 26 – January 1 in the Southern Zone.
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.
Catskills Visitor Center: in Mt. Tremper, NY is open from 9:30-4pm every day. Staff members are also answering phone calls at 845-688-3369. Visitor Center trails are open. Over the weekend the Upper Esopus Fire Tower Cab is open to the public during operating hours.
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
Doubletop and Graham Access: As of Wednesday, January 13th 2021 public access to the two peaks, Doubletop and Graham Mountain has 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
Fall into Winter Time Hiking Tips:
– Trekking poles, boots, gaiters, and traction devices are useful to keep dirt, snow and ticks out of your boots. Finish each hike or excursion outdoors with a thorough tick check.
– Fall brings with it slick and hard to see trails. Be prepared to take your time on these trails to avoid personal injury.
– Keep a close eye and ear to encroaching weather and morning frost and prepare by bringing rain gear and warm layers on all hikes. Consider bringing a water filter on longer hikes.
– Temperatures are frequently below freezing 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. Avoid sweating in your layers, which can lead to hypothermia.
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.
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!
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 currently closed, however trails remain open. Please remember to socially distance when visiting the CVC’s 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
#CatskillsVisitorCenter #CatskillsTrailConditions #CatskillsHiking #CatskillTrailConditions #CatskillsMountains
