- Nicole on Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain: Did this hike for a 2nd time since last April, and its honestly my favorite Catskills hike! Some days I don't have the time or energy for a 5-6 hour hike. Up to the Giant Ledge & back is a decent challenge with a breathtaking view. Took me an hour…
- robforbrains on Indian Head Mt. and Twin Mt.: this is exactly what I was searching for. I just did Breakneck Ridge three days ago. I am terrified of heights and the repeated sensation I am about to fall to my death, but have gotten to become okay with scrambles that are not exposed...but that Breakneck Ridge Trail was…
- Sarah on Cat Rocks: Went for a quick trip up this morning. Trail conditions were perfect and the view was great!
- joel shufeldt on Kaaterskill Falls (lower trailhead): Yes, It is beautiful when the falls freeze solid. But you better have mountain climbing cleats, crampons or you will end up like this dude. https://www.reddit.com/r/catskills/comments/meodhm/kaaterskill_falls_can_be_icy_and_dangerous_this/
- Sarah on Kaaterskill Falls II (upper trailhead): Did this hike in reverse order on Saturday and it was lovely. Closing with Inspiration Point was nice because it's a bit less crowded than the falls and it felt good to end the hike with relative solitude. There's not much ice left on the trail except down at the…
- ruth McGoldrick on Red Wing Recreation Area: Hi Mike - we use your site as often as possible and have hiked a lot of the trails you have reviewed. We took this Red wing rec trail this past weekend. Really nice. I would note that the red markers are still there. However, someone has added other markers…
- Jamie on Croton Gorge Park: Love this guide as I have small children and I appreciate the step by step! Do you think it’s possible to do the hike with a stroller
- Ben Reisner on Kaaterskill Falls (lower trailhead): The DEC has closed this parking area. I'm not sure if they plan to re-open it or not. The Tweet from the DEC (https://twitter.com/NYSDEC/status/1377704821772328962) says: The Molly Smith parking area on Route 23a in Hunter is closed to improve visitor safety. Visitors may access Kaaterskill Falls by parking at the…
- sam on Surprise Lake (via Bearfort Ridge): We did this hike yesterday and it was my ALL TIME FAVORITE HIKE EVER! (This coming from a city slicker who has only been on a handful of hikes though LOL). But there was a little bit of everything, which kept the entire hike so interesting. We each had our…
- Ermina Andrea on Red Hill fire tower: As always, thank you for the thorough instructions! We did the hike yesterday, but I have to say my kids had mixed feelings, especially at the last 250ft. Did not look as happy as your little explorers! But we did it and I really enjoyed the hike and the views…
- Mike on Storm King Mountain: That’s so nice to hear, Caroline! Your kids sound like hearty adventurers! Thanks for the kind words, and so glad you all had a great day out there even if the conditions weren’t perfect!
- Mike on Millbrook Mountain: Excellent - so glad to hear it, Will! Thanks for the follow-up!
- Will B on Millbrook Mountain: Thank you for your input Mike! Did the hike yesterday. No issues at all. One of the better hikes in the Hudson Valley for sure!
- Caroline on Storm King Mountain: My husband and I took 6 of our kids yesterday in the rain. It was awesome and so enjoyable. The kids range in age from 12 years old to 3 years old. We had a blast!! You’re directions were spot on and helped make our hike so enjoyable. Also a…
- Mike on Sam’s Point: Hello, Nicole! Yes, this is a different parking area from the main Minnewaska lot (Sam's Point is officially part of Minnewaska, but Minnewaska is huge, and this is the southernmost part of it). It's a decent-sized lot, but this is an extremely popular destination. I've heard that cars line up…
- Mike on Millbrook Mountain: Hello, Will! I really hope I'm not giving you bad advice here, but I believe that the closure mentioned in the link above is specifically for the portion of trail within Minnewaska State Park, which does not affect this hike. The hike documented above occurs entirely within the Mohonk Preserve…
- Mike on Mt. Beacon: Thanks for the kind words and the helpful comment, Michelle! I added an update above (with a link down to your comment) warning people to be careful to take the correct White Trail when they come down from the tower. Hope that helps others to avoid the same issue. Thanks…
- Mike on Stony Kill Falls: Thank you for the great info and the beautiful photo, Sarah!
- Mike on Huckleberry Point: CJ, thanks for sharing your perspective and experiences here! This hike can be muddy when other trails are mostly dry, and it's pretty much mud everywhere these days, so I can only imagine how sloppy it must have been out there for you all. The condition of the terrain must…
- nicole on Sam’s Point: so from what I understand its part of Minnewaska, but the parking lot for this is totally elsewhere as I see on the map. is it a small lot? i read on other sites to be there at 9 when it opens since it fills up quickly, especially now with…
- Will Bergen on Millbrook Mountain: Can anyone comment on if this trail is currently open? Was planning on doing this trail this week but the notice on this website has me concerned it may be closed. https://parks.ny.gov/parks/minnewaska/details.aspx
- Michelle C. on Mt. Beacon: Did this hike on Saturday 3/27/2021. Loved it. Took 4 hours from start to the tower and back with stops for photos and rest. The guide is thorough and guided directly to the tower - thank you. It was a steep hike at times but manageable. Lots of places to…
- Sarah on Stony Kill Falls: Shot of the falls :)
- Sarah on Stony Kill Falls: Hiked this yesterday — it's definitely open as of now. :) The trail up to the bottom of the falls was mostly free of ice, except for the last 15-20 feet, where the footing was a little dicey. There's still snow under the falls and it was really fun to…
- Mike on Croton Gorge Park: Thank you so much, Ajmineola! Really appreciate your kind words, and glad you had a great day out there!
- Mike on Balsam Lake Mountain: Tony, thanks for sharing your perspective here! I will make more of an effort going forward to make sure I don't incorrectly call the Catskills part of the Hudson Valley, since they are indeed a separate region. I honestly hadn't thought much about it before, and the Internet agrees with…
- Mike on Fahnestock: Pelton Pond: Thank you so much, T! I've made the correction above to say 301 West. Much appreciated!
- CJ on Huckleberry Point: Very useful guide, thanks! My family and I found this hike more strenuous than advertised. We definitely felt as though we had climbed a big mountain. Further it was very muddy, wet and slick, basically the whole way. We had fun, but it was not an easy hike and I…
- Ajmineola on Croton Gorge Park: Excellent description- directions- photos Your guide was better than any catalog or department of park sites This Hudson Valley Croton Gorge Park Dam has a history and is both scenic and interesting and breathtaking. Deserves more attention Thank you for your part. Loved your tour and then- Loved being right…
- Day-tripping: Upstate Hikes – Epicenter NYC on Undercliff/ Overcliff: […] many hiking options, including a walk at the base of the famous “Gunks,” on the Undercliff/Overcliff Loop (easy). The breathtaking Millbrook Ridge Trail has 360-degree views of the Catskills (medium […]
- Tony Lanza on Balsam Lake Mountain: Wonderful report great pictures and good narrative. Please don’t report that these amazing adventures are in the Hudson Valley they are located in the high peaks of the Catskill Park. Located in the Catskill region. The Catskills have no kinships to Tarrytown, Nyack, Haverstraw Newburgh and Kingston all located in…
- T on Fahnestock: Pelton Pond: Quick correction about the direction. There's is no 301 south... 301 runs east or west only
- Mike on Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain: Hi, Shay! Thanks for providing those numbers, glad to see that they match the elevation numbers I provided above. Add in the 200' saddle between Giant Ledge and Panther, and you've got an elevation change of about 710 feet on the way out (from the last ledge, down the saddle,…
- Shay on Giant Ledge and Panther Mountain: Hi there. The elevation of Giant Ledge is 3200 ft and Panther is 3720, making the difference in elevation only 520 ft. Consult a list of the Catskills "Highest Hundred" if you don't want to take my word for it.
- Roy WALLACE on Snakes on a trail: Livesd wvery summer for 25 iny house bordering on Miniwaska Park near Stoney Kill falls and the carriage way to Lake Awosting. Hire every few days for miles. Two rattle snake sitings in all that time. Maybe they smelled my Great Dane and high tailed it.
- Mike on Mt. Beacon: Hi, Sophia! Thanks for the kind words! Yes, the trail is easy to follow and quite popular, but it is a CLIMB. So I'd say with sturdy footwear and plenty of water, a persistent beginner could do this hike, as long as you're up for climbing at least 1,000 vertical…
- Mike on Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus): Hi, Bob -- thanks for stopping by and sharing your perspective here. I've wrestled with these thoughts and issues as well, and did my best to discuss this topic here: Loving Our Trails Too Much? Hope that gives a little view into my perspective, and wish you all the best…
- Bob on Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus): Articles like this are the very reason why Cold Spring has been getting flooded with people from the city and several spots I grew up exploring are now either closed off, or the trails destroyed by the insane foot traffic.
- Sophia Melissa Caraballo on Mt. Beacon: Hi! Thanks for the amazingly thorough guide. Do you consider this hike something a beginner can do? I'm trying to get out of the city and I've never really been properly hiking and was looking for some suggestions! Also, how long do you think the hike will take? And is…
