How are the Catskills

“I will be returning to the Catskills in a couple of weeks and I was wondering if anyone has been there recently or had an idea of what the conditions might be like.

I am thinking of the Devil's Path as a weekend trip (this will be my second time on the DP, but the last time was in august).

Just wanted to see what I should expect!

Thanks!”

“I've read there is quite a bit of ice (30’ high and 30’ to 40’ in length) between Plateau and Sugarloaf at the beginning of the March.”

“They've never been better!!! jk

there wasn't much snow left when I was in the Catskills last week. There was some deep snow above 4,000 feet on Slide and in the saddle between Fir and Big Indian. There were also some icy patches. But if you're going in a few weeks, there is a good chance some or most of that'll be gone. But, I haven't been on the Devils Path since January, so I'm not sure what the conditions are there.

I'm going back to the Catskills in a few weeks for some bushwacking.

check here closer to the time you are going and check under trail conditions for NY. Since you're planning on doing the Devils Path, you'll want to look at conditions on Indian Head, Twin, Sugar Loaf, Plateau, Hunter, SW Hunter and West Kill. You should find all the info you are looking for on that site though.
last edited: 3/15/06 10:11:04 AM”

“How are YOUR skills, Earthsky??
last edited: 3/15/06 10:27:11 AM”

“There's no snow at my home at 1700'in the Catskill Park. It was supposed to get cold this week though. I usually find some changes like ice starting around 2800'. In the past, I have ALWAYS brought crampons & snowshoes with me in spring. In winter, you usually have a compacted trail, especially in the more traveled spots. In spring, I've broken through in the warm weather to my waist. That's REALLY tough hiking. That's when I burrow in (or make snowshoes) & let the ground re-freeze over night.This year we received a LOT less snow. I might take a walk up Peek & over to Lone this week from Denning or Woodland Valley. I'm leaning towards Denning because I just climbed it from Peekamoose Rd a few weeks ago & Woodland occasionally has a parking fee. (I'm cheap)”

“Cops find hiker dead in Ulster
August 28, 2006

Denning – New York State Police were investigating the death of a hiker late last night, officials said.
The hiker was in the Peekamoose Mountain area in Ulster County, officials said. Initial reports said the man may be in his late 40s or early 50s. His identity was unknown as of last night. Investigators were on the scene and no details were immediately available last night.”

“It is not me!

Glad it wasn't you Cats.
last edited: 8/28/06 12:12:25 PM”

“I am accounted for.

Pennsy?”

“Actually a few peace officer friends sent my computer the post to check if it was me.”

“Queens hiker suffered heart attack on trail
By Ramsey Al-Rikabi

August 29, 2006

Denning – A hiker from Bayside, Queens, who died Sunday afternoon on Peekamoose Mountain Trail, suffered a heart attack brought on by an irregular heartbeat, state police said yesterday.
The hiker, Chong M. Kong, 59, told his hiking companions he was dizzy and then collapsed around 2:30 p.m. They were about 200 feet before the summit of Peekamoose, which was more than three miles from the trailhead at County Route 42. The party tried to bring Kong down on a makeshift stretcher and met up with state forest rangers and emergency medical personnel around 4:50 p.m. State police said Kong could not be revived.
An autopsy at Kingston Hospital yesterday found the cause of Kong’s death to be, “cardiac arrhythmia due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and myocardial scarring,” state police said.”

“DEC closes Catskill trails due to hazardous conditions

Albany – The state Department of Environmental Conservation has announced that due to hazardous trial conditions, a number of trails have been closed in the Greene County area of the Catskill Park.

The heavy snowfall earlier in the month brought down a large number of limbs and trees making the trails extremely difficult to follow, increasing the risk of injury, and increasing the chances of hikers becoming lost or disoriented.

The following trails have been closed:
-- Windham High Peak Wild Forest - A portion of the Escarpment trail is closed from the Elm Ridge Lean-to to the trail's junction with the Black Dome Trail, which is between Burnt Knob and Acra Point.
-- Hunter Mountain Wild Forest - The upper section of the Spruceton trail is closed between Deming Notch and Hunter Mountain. The Hunter trail is closed between the summit of Hunter Mountain and the Devils Acre lean-to.
Indian Head-Plateau Mountain Wilderness - The Devils Path trail is closed between Plateau Mountain and Indian Head Mountain.

Signs will be posted at appropriate trailheads alerting hikers to the hazardous conditions and trail closures. The department anticipates that the trails will be re-opened by Memorial Day weekend.”