Catskill Outdoor Recreation Bulletin             
September 2019

Welcome to our monthly Catskill Newsletter. Here, you will find useful information about a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities in the Catskill Mountains, including events, trail updates and advisories. 

Have a safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational experience on the lands and waters of the Catskills. Do your part to properly plan and prepare for your outdoor adventure. Minimize the impact on the mountains and forests, rivers and streams, ponds and lakes, and the wildlife of the Catskills. Together we can preserve these lands for future generations to come.

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured, keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch; (518)-408-5850.

Check the Catskill Backcountry Information web pages for more details on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions for those planning to recreate in the Catskills. Check mountain weather conditions before heading out this weekend.

Packing the proper gear for a hike is very important, and you should be prepared to encounter all conditions. See our recommended packing list and safety tips. Watch DEC's HikeSmartNY video for more.

Weather forecasts and conditions can and do change quickly. Check the current National Weather Service Forecast, and be prepared for the forecasted conditions, or change your plans.

Catskills Visitor Center

Visit The Catskills Visitor Center on State Route 28 in the Town of Shandaken, Ulster County. This Catskill Mountain visitors center is operated by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development, an Arkville, NY-based nonprofit, in partnership with DEC. Whether you're just passing through, or  staying through fall, make us your first stop when you arrive in the Catskills. The friendly staff is there every day with all the information, maps and advice  needed to plan the best Catskill adventure! From exhibits to nature trails and community events, there's something for everyone at the Catskills Visitor Center. Visitors and residents alike will find new ways to connect with the nature, history and culture that makes this region so unique!

Events

Take the Catskills Fire Tower Five Challenge

For nearly a century, observers watched the forests of New York State--including the Catskill and Adirondack forest preserves-- from more than 100 fire towers perched atop the highest peaks, searching for the dangerous, telltale signs of forest fires.

You can experience these spectacular views from the top of five fire towers by taking the Catskills Fire Tower Five Challenge. Climb all five towers in the Catskill Park, take a selfie at each tower at the designated sign, and submit to have a chance to win!

DEC’s Hike With Us

The Catskills include 287,500 acres of state land (forest preserve) and are filled with endless opportunities for adventure including hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, skiing, mountain biking, rock climbing, paddling and snowmobiling. With a unique mixture of public and private lands, history, culture, art, and proximity to New York City, the Catskills make an ideal mountain escape.

Saturday, September 7 - Cabot Mountain Lookout

Experience spectacular views of Little Pond and the Catskills along the Touch-Me-Not trail. For more to do in Delaware County after your hike, check out I Love New York's guide. Sign up for this hike (space is limited).

Saturday, September 7 - Alder Lake

This is a scenic 1.6 mile/1.5-hour easy hike over gently rolling terrain encircling Alder Lake. Look for eagles, ospreys, red-winged blackbirds, and other wildlife that are frequent visitors to the lake. Bring a canoe or kayak to get an even better lakeside view. For more to do in Ulster County after your hike, check out I Love New York's guide. Sign up for this hike (space is limited).

Saturday, September 7 - North South Lake Ashley Falls Loop

The hike will start at 10 a.m. on Sunday, August 11th. After passing the North/South Lake State Campground gatehouse, continue left at the fork. Park at the parking area on the left just past Mary's Glen trailhead. It will be about 1 mile from the gatehouse. We will hike together in a group at a relaxed pace. We will hike past the falls at first and do a nice loop. Upon returning from the loop, we will have lunch at the falls. For more to do in Greene County after your hike, check out I Love New York's guide. Sign up for this hike (space is limited).

Saturday, September 14 - Onteora Lake

This hike will be led by the Catskill Center and begins at 10 a.m. The trail around Onteora Lake is an easy 2.4 mile round-trip hike with little to no elevation change. The hike offers views of the lake and its surrounding wetlands and forests. Participants should bring plenty of water, snacks and wear proper footwear for an easy hike. The trip should take about 2 hours. For more to do in Ulster County after your hike, check out I Love New York's guide. Sign up for this hike (space is limited).

Saturday, September 21 - Vernooy Kill Falls

Join guide Michael Drillinger of Catskill Country Walks to the red-marked trail that follows an old woods road, gradually ascending Cherrytown Mountain to a series of picturesque waterfalls near the site of an old mill, 1.8 miles from the trailhead. For more to do in Ulster County after your hike, check out I Love New York's guide. Sign up for this hike (space is limited).

Catskills Visitor Center Events

Esopus Creek Fish and Fly Fishing Demonstration

Friday, September 20 – 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, 5096 Rte. 28, Mount Tremper, NY, 12457 (map)

Part of Ashokan Watershed Month, join Scott George of the United States Geological Survey speaking about the Esopus Creek fishery, and Mark Loete of Trout Unlimited speaking about fly fishing on the Esopus. Learn all about fish and fly fishing with a presentation inside the Visitor Center, then join us outside to the lawn to try your hand at a fly fishing demonstration.

Discovery Day

Saturday, September 28 – 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Maurice D. Hinchey Catskills Visitor Center, 5096 Rte. 28, Mount Tremper, NY, 12457 (map)

Save the date for this new event at the Catskills Visitor Center celebrating the nature, history and culture of the Catskills through kid-friendly educational programs, performances, demos and hands-on activities. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

Highlighted Hike - Vernoy Kill State Forest

Vernooy Falls, Sundown Wild Forest Town of Rochester, Ulster County

Vernooy Kill Falls is a series of picturesque little waterfalls with pools, dropping about 30 feet in four stages. A foot bridge crosses the base of the falls for a nice view. Nearby is a tall stonewall, a remnant of the Vernooy Mill which 200 years ago was a major crossroads where farmers near and far brought their grain for milling. A major road ran through this area which now looks wild. 

Take State Route 209 to Cherrytown Road to Upper Cherrytown Road. The parking lot is on the right on Upper Cherrytown Road. Park and cross the road to the trail, which at first climbs up a steep hill on the old woods road, now a snowmobile trail.

Distance: 3.6 miles. Ascent: 250 feet.

General Conditions/Notices

Late Summer/Early Fall in the Catskills

Catskill nights and mornings are getting cold. Temperatures are dropping to the 40s. Start your morning hike in warm layers, and pack extra warm layers to prevent hypothermia, should an unexpected hike down in the dark or overnight in the woods happen. Higher elevations will be colder throughout the day as well. Campers should be aware of these temperature drops, and pack warm clothes and sleeping bags rated for colder weather.

Be Tick Free

• Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily.
• Wear enclosed shoes, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and shirt into pants.
• Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors.
• Consider using insect repellent on your clothing. *
• Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails. Walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas.
• Keep long hair tied back.
• Bathe or shower as soon as possible after going indoors (preferably within two hours) to wash off and more easily find ticks that may be on you.
• Do a final, full-body tick check at the end of the day (also check children and pets), and remove ticks promptly.

Thunderstorm Safety: Thunderstorms can pop up even if they are not forecast.

• Avoid summits, water surfaces, and other open areas during thunderstorms. 
• As soon as you are first aware of an approaching thunderstorm, move to lower elevations, head to shore, and seek shelter.  
• If caught outside in a thunderstorm, find a low spot away from tall trees, seek an area of shorter trees and crouch down away from tree trunks.

Mountain Summits: Check the National Weather Service to prepare for the conditions.

Water Sources: Plan to pack water with you as normal reliable water sources shown on trail maps may still be iced over.

• Water levels are high - low water crossings may be problematic or impossible to cross.

Fire Danger: Low, throughout the Catskills. Check the Fire Danger Rating Map.

General Information

Hiking

• Stream crossings can be tricky. They may be impassable altogether. Pay attention to the weather. Low water levels in the morning can make crossing easy but can quickly become treacherous or impassible with summer storms.
• Check conditions, and plan alternative routes to avoid these crossings.
• Do not try to cross through cold, high, fast flowing waters. Stay where you are and call for assistance.
• DEC encourages the use of bear-resistant canisters and other practices to avoid negative encounters with bears throughout the Catskills.
  Check out these Catskill Hikes if you are interested in a late-summer adventure!

Hunting Season

In southeastern New York, the early bear season runs from Sept. 7 to Sept. 22 in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 3A, 3C, 3H, 3J, 3K, 3M, 3P, 3R, 4P, and 4R. The early bowhunting season for bears will open in all of the Southern Zone on Oct. 1, followed by the regular firearms season beginning Nov. 16. Check out this useful information on bear hunting seasons.

Practice Leave No Trace

Follow proper trail etiquette to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Catskills, as well as ensure an enjoyable outdoor experience for all visitors by following the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.

Principle # 1: Plan Ahead & Prepare

Follow these preparedness tips before hitting the trail:
Rest and hydrate often to help combat the humidity and heat exhaustion.
Apply sunscreen and Chapstick with SPF liberally and often.
Bring plenty of food to keep up with the calories you'll burn.
Keep an eye and ear on the weather. Unexpected thunderstorms can occur in the mountains.
Always bring a headlamp, first aid kit, and map of your planned route. Plan to start your hike early in the morning when the temperatures are cool.

Principle # 3: Dispose of Waste Properly

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! Everyone has a responsibility to clean up before he or she leaves. Please do your part and inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash or spilled foods.

Recent Notices

Notices below reflect recent changes in conditions and recreation infrastructure work completed by DEC and its partners. Check the Catskill Backcountry Information web page for more details.

• Expansion of Upper Cherrytown Parking area is complete. Construction is finished.
• Peekamoose Blue Hole – Don’t forget! Permits are required to visit the Peekamoose Blue Hole on weekends and holidays from May 15 - October 15. You can get a permit from Reserve America.
• Permits are free, and must be acquired at least 24 hours in advance, but no more than a week in advance. Only advance registrations will be accepted. No walk-in registrations are available. Visitors will be required to list the names of all members of their party when making the reservation but can change the names up to one day in advance. Each permit will be limited to six individuals. Visitors must always have a permit with them.
• Kaaterskill Falls
  • Stick to the trail and avoiding hiking near cliff edges.