• Maret on Overlook Mountain: I went last Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019. It was an icy trail all the way up and I slipped all the way down. When I arrived at 11:00 am at the second, lower parking lot it was 18' F and went up to 25 when I returned at 2:30 pm.…
  • Stephanie on Overlook Mountain: Hi! We're planning on hiking the trail this weekend 1/19/19. What are the weather updates for this trail? Is it currently snowy and muddy? How long does this trail take? Any advice on what to wear during the winter? And lastly, what's the best time to arrive?
  • Jonah on Shaupeneak Ridge: Hi Mike, We are planning to do a hike here soon, but I was wondering if the red trail's hilly section would be suitable for an old (13 year old) dog. Also, if we went down to the waterfall, am I correct that that would be a 4-mile total loop?…
  • Renee Zernitsky on Little Stony Point: There is no mention of bathroom facilities and I did notice that new ones were installed. Are they open in winter?
  • Mike on Under the tree is for presents, not people: Thanks, Rei! I hope you will forgive me for suspecting that when you say "they," you mean "we," but still, this does indeed look like a pretty good solution. I still like the bucket/hose/science method, but this doohickey would probably work better for some folks. Thanks for stopping by, if…
  • Mike on Depot Hill: Thanks for the tip, Jonah! I've updated the "Directions" section with your suggestion and a link down to your comment. (I also removed my paleolithic advice that mentioned a Garmin Nuvi, which are mostly only useful now from an archaeological perspective.) Much better now -- thanks so much!
  • Jonah on Depot Hill: Hi Mike, You can also put this address into Google Maps and it will take you to the trailhead. Thanks so much for the great website!!! Address: 301 Depot Hill Rd, Poughquag, NY 12570
  • rei toei on Under the tree is for presents, not people: There's this easy and cheap device, which we use to good effect. They even solved earlier versions problem of guessing how often and how much to water https://www.amazon.com/Santas-Magic-Christmas-Water-Funnel/dp/B07KGJTQ17/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547147746&sr=8-1&keywords=christmas+tree+water+funnel
  • Mike on Come hang out with me at the Stanford Free Library! (Please!?!) (w/ update!): Thanks for reaching out, Krista! I've strategically placed my email address in a couple of spots so that only the heartiest of seekers can find it (it's at the bottom of "The Hikes" page, above the "Coming Soon(ish)" list, if you click the link to drop me a line). I'll…
  • Mike on Breakneck Ridge: This is really helpful -- thanks for the update on trail conditions, Jessica!
  • Krista on Come hang out with me at the Stanford Free Library! (Please!?!) (w/ update!): Hi there! I would like to connect with you in regards to speaking at my library about local hikes (I'm a librarian!). I can't seem to find a contact email on your website. Where can I send an inquiry?
  • Mike on High Banks Preserve: Thank YOU, Jonah! Much appreciated. I have Black Creek Preserve on my "Coming Soon(ish)" list and do intend to write it up one of these days. I didn't have Esopus Meadows on my radar, but you've just put it there. Thanks!
  • Mike on Croton Gorge Park: Hi, Sumathi! Indeed it is. From the park's homepage: "Open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to dusk, year-round." I don't do a ton of winter hiking, but my favorite hikes are pretty much my favorites year-round -- anything listed with a rating of 5 or 4.5 cameras on "The…
  • Jessica on Breakneck Ridge: Mike, Thank you for sharing. This did save me a lot of time of finding the entrance and trial sign. I went for the hike on 12/30. The route is still open, but be careful for the snow and water. I have to say be careful while descending with yellow…
  • Jonah-- on Bull’s Bridge: Sorry, this is where the AT meets the road, NOT the Blue Trail. You can still (if you use this parking): a. Use the AT b. Walk about 0.3 miles down the road to the blue trail
  • Jonah on Bull’s Bridge: Hi, There is also a small roadside parking area where the (Edit:) AT meets the road - corner of Bulls Bridge Rd and Schaghticoke Rd. There is space for about 3-4 cars. (Edit:) This is where the AT and the road meet, not the blue trail. You can still go…
  • Jonah on Bull’s Bridge: Hi, There is also a small roadside parking area where the Blue Trail meets the road (corner of Bulls Bridge Rd and Schaghticoke Rd). There is space for about 3-4 cars.
  • Jonah on High Banks Preserve: Great! Will you do the Black Creek Preserve or Esopus Meadows Preserve? Just wondering - and by the way GREAT SITE!!! Thanks so much Jonah
  • Sumathi Reddy on Croton Gorge Park: Hi! Is this hike open in the winter (like now?). Also, curious what your favorite winter hikes are?
  • Dan on Popolopen Torne: This was a great hike. I did it on Labor Day weekend, followed by Wittenberg the next day and I used your trail guide and information for both. Keep up the good work! It is really helpful information!
  • Mike on Frequently Asked Questions: Diane, that's a great question! I originally set "The Hikes" page up with the town names listed in one of the columns, but it was too ungainly, and I had to trim that column out for the rest of the information to fit on one screen. The best way to…
  • Mike on Frequently Asked Questions: Thank YOU for the kind words and the laughs, Benjamin! It's really gratifying to hear, and I'll do my best to keep the trail guides coming. Here's to many more adventures out there!
  • Mike on Frequently Asked Questions: Hi Kelly! They should all still be there! I haven't written up Mt. Tremper yet, but it is still on my Coming Soon(ish) list. Sounds like that is indeed a good place to make more rattlesnake friends - I hope to give it a visit (during cold, non-rattlesnakey weather) and…
  • Kelly on Frequently Asked Questions: It seems like some hikes have been remove (Mt. Tremper). What happened? I like rattlesnakes.
  • Stephen Andrew on Nuclear Lake: I go there all the time I'll provide you with some photographs of that Boulder. Your talking about the one split in 2 with path running between it?
  • Stephen Andrew on Nuclear Lake: Those trees have been cleared.
  • C. Russell Dunn on Nuclear Lake: I am a regional author of guidebooks. Although best known for my waterfall guidebooks, I have been working on a series of guidebooks to glacial boulders and natural rock formations. The book I am presently working on features downstate New York. I was wondering if it would be all right…
  • Kyle on Minnewaska II: Gertrude’s Nose: When you go out and back, are you following the loop counterclockwise? Thanks for any help!
  • Mike on Under the tree is for presents, not people: Great to hear from you, Marcia! I bet that route requires a lot less vacuuming, too. Merry Christmas!
  • Mike on Under the tree is for presents, not people: Thanks, Haley! Every year, we go to the tree farm with the intention of getting a reasonably sized tree, and we leave with the first runner-up for the Rockefeller Center. That's what we get for letting the kids have a vote.
  • Marcia Hillberry on Under the tree is for presents, not people: Or you could use the artificial tree that is trapped in the closet all year, poor thing. Merry Christmas, Mike.
  • Mike on Breakneck Ridge: Greetings, Kar! The renovations are postponed until further notice. I haven't heard any word on when a potential closure may occur (and if someone reading this knows something I don't, please share!). Otherwise, be prepared for icy, snowy, slippery, and dangerous conditions this time of year (micro-spikes or something more…
  • Kar on Breakneck Ridge: Is the hiking still open? When will it be close for renovation?
  • Haley on Under the tree is for presents, not people: Now that is a big fluffy tree. Great Post!