
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
The Smith Pond Trail is closed until further notice. Due to a construction project that will address drainage issues near Rte. 28, the trailhead to the Smith Pond Trail is being used as a staging area. As soon as the work allows, the trail will be reopened. For those who are working on the CMC Hiking Trails Challenge, the requirement to hike the Smith Pond Trail is temporarily suspended. You may submit applications without hiking this trail. After we announce its reopening, It will be required hiking again for new applicants. Thanks for your cooperation.
April 18, 2021 Usage of the Catskill Park and its facilities has grown tremendously for the past several years. During the pandemic of 2020-21, the growth only increased as folks everywhere turned to the great outdoors for a safe space to seek recreation. As the pandemic winds down, we anticipate a sustained increase in Park visitorship and in use of our trails, other infrastructure and wild places throughout the Catskills.
The rise in usage has resulted in crowded parking lots, illegal roadside parking and an exponential increase in garbage being left behind by park visitors at high use areas like Kaaterskill Falls, Kaaterskill Clove and Colgate Lake. To help mitigate these problems, parking regulations have been expanded and strictly enforced. Dozens of volunteers have been helping park staff and trail stewards clean up after the heavy traffic of weekend visits. Please be responsible and pack out what you pack into these beautiful natural environments.
Another effect of increased usage is seen on the trails themselves. Foot beds are widening far beyond the acceptable width, trampling adjacent plant life and contributing to erosion. Hikers should stay on the trail, avoid walking side-by-side and pass other hikers carefully, yielding where possible and maintaining single file at all times. It is up to us to protect the Catskills wilderness and preserve it for future generations. To do so, it is important that we cooperate in practicing sustainable use that benefits us all.
Always follow Leave No Trace principles when recreating in conserved natural places wherever you go.
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Covid-19 Guidelines: Wear a mask while congregated in the parking lot or at other sites. Hike single file, following social distancing protocols. Avoid carpooling except with members of your household. Use your own pen when signing in, or use hand sanitizer.
Note: As vaccination rates rise, risks decrease. We will phase out these guidelines when rates improve significantly. In the meantime, please protect others and yourself by following these simple, CDC endorsed guidelines.
We will hike Cabot Mountain on the Touch-Me-Not trail section of the Finger Lakes trail in the Western Catskills. This moderate hike at a relaxed pace, will be a traverse of 4.5 miles with a short shuttle. It will end at Little Pond State campground where we will have an after-hike picnic and have an opportunity to rent kayaks on site. You’re also welcome to bring your own boat. Come for just the hike or stay for the whole day. It’s up to you. If you are paddling, a PFD is required. Sorry, bringing your pooch is not practical for this outing.
Event Duration: 4.5 miles, 4 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
This hike starts with a steep climb up Bangle Hill from Peekamoose Rd, gaining over 1100 feet in 1.1 miles. After the initial climb, the remainder of the hike is relatively level, dropping about 600 feet over 6.4 miles to Vernooy Falls, then dropping another 500 feet in the last 1.7 miles. If the weather cooperates we’ll stop for a swim at Vernooy Falls.
Event Duration: 10 miles, 9 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult
Starting at the suspension bridge over the scenic Beaver Kill, we’ll hike to Mongaup Pond via the Mongaup – Hardenburgh Trail. We’ll return via the Mongaup – Willowemoc and Long Pond Beaver Kill Ridge trails. Along the way, we’ll summit 2 Catskill Hundred Highest mountains: Willowemoc (3220 ft) and Sand Pond (3057 ft).
Event Duration: 18 miles, 12 hours
Level of Difficulty: Difficult
Follow Laura Battelani and David Lucas, CMC members, while they inspect trails on the Pakatakan Mountain in Margaretville, NY. It will take approximately 6 hours. Bring water and food. wear sturdy sneakers or boots. dress in layers to accommodate for weather conditions. bring hand tools, gloves, eye protection if you would like to help with clipping, light sawing, weed whacking etc.
Event Duration: 6 miles, 6 hours
Level of Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult