News & Culture
Catskills hiking news, hiking product reviews, hiking tips, trail info, best practices, product reviews, history, culture, flora, fauna…
Cidiot Episode 55: Hike Your Own Hike
What's the difference between a walk and a hike? How did my first bear interaction go? How about that time I almost died on Blackhead mountain? Click here to listen.
27 Best Restaurants in the Catskills
This up-to-date list of the best Catskills cafes and restaurants will help make your next pre- or post-hike chow extra-awesome.
Your Favorite (Small) Hiking Moment
There’s no part of hiking that I don’t absolutely love — but, every time, this one moment really stands out…
Where to See the Best New York Fall Foliage 2021
It’s just starting now, in mid-September — the first signs of New York’s fall foliage. Here’s the best place to track your leafy updates…
New: YouTube Channel
I’ve just opened a YouTube channel. I’m jumping into video and learning how to swim, hopefully without drowning…
It’s Official: Adirondacks 23% Harder Than Catskills
I thought it’d be cute to quantify exactly how much more difficult the Adirondacks are over the Catskills. Do we need this information? No. Does this information feel important? Yes.
Bramley Mountain Fire Tower (Kaatscast)
At Bramley Mountain, in the western Catskills, the fire tower was dismantled in the 1970s, but a local family has been keeping it safe in a nearby barn…
Solar Eclipse 2021
Nothing beats watching the sun come up from a mountain summit — except maybe walking into the woods in the dead of night, alone, to catch an eclipse.
Death at Kaaterskill Falls
A young man from Yonkers went missing April 24. His rented car was found April 30 at the main Laurel House Road parking lot. Later the same day, his body was recovered from the base of the falls.
Proposed Hydroelectric Plant at Ashokan Reservoir Raises Concerns
Officials are urging local residents to participate in the process to determine if developers can move forward with an underground hydroelectric power station on the banks of the Ashokan Reservoir.
Catskill Mountains Happy Hikers Facebook Group
A new social group has launched on Facebook that provides a much-needed positive social hub for Catskills hikers.
New Red Hill Hiking Trail & Trailhead
The newly constructed Red Hill Fire Tower Trailhead is located in Ulster County on Denning Road in the Town of Denning is open for use.
Doubletop & Graham CLOSED PERMANENTLY!
Latest info for hiking Graham & Doubletop. Please read. Important changes are being instituted…
How to Make Pine Needle Tea
This article explains how to harvest various kinds of pine needles and turn them into deliciously distinctive teas in your kitchen — in just a few minutes!
How to Make Shagbark Hickory Syrup
This article describes how to harvest shagbark hickory bark sustainably to whip up a ridiculously tasty syrup at home.
Platte Clove Road Access in Winter
In winter, Platte Clove Road is closed at its eastern side. Here’s the alternate route to the Eastern Devil’s Path mountains and Kaaterskill High Peak.