DEC advisory reminding the public not to interact with young wildlife (fawns, nestlings, fledglings) as their parents are typically nearby and human interference can harm both animals and people. The advisory covers wildlife care best practices and reminds the public to contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators for injured or orphaned animals.

DEC announces record-breaking 2025 bear harvest estimates across New York State, with 1,759 bears harvested statewide, including a new Southern Zone record of 1,202 bears. The report highlights bear population recovery and range expansion, noting that bears now occupy most areas of the state including the Adirondacks and Catskills.

Hikers snowshoed Dry Brook Ridge from Millbrook Road PA with excellent conditions of 6-10 inches of dry powder snow and cold temperatures. Route-finding was challenging due to infrequent trail markers and occasional blowdown, though faint tracks and animal sign occasionally aided navigation. The trail was blown in at the summit.

A challenging bushwhack route up Panther Mountain via an unnamed ridge (Bear Poop Ridge) featuring steep terrain, open forest, ledges, and requiring strong navigation skills. The route connects to the main Panther trail and includes a plane wreck easter egg.

Two hikers completed a challenging 8-hour day hike across four remote peaks in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness: Deep Lake Peak, Kitty Cobble, West Lake Peak, and Brooktrout Lake Peak. Trails varied from well-defined to overgrown, with dense woods and steep cliff sections requiring bushwhacking and scrambling. Black flies, deer flies, horse flies, and mosquitoes were abundant throughout the day.

First-person trip report of a three-peak loop through Carl Mountain, Hoyt Hollow, and Mt. Tremper. Cool and cloudy in the morning becoming sunny and warm (50s°F) in the afternoon with no snow or ice encountered. Light bushwhacking on Carl and Hoyt Hollow with established cairns; Mt. Tremper fire tower visited with views of remaining snow on Slide and man-made snow at Hunter.

Forest rangers responded to two incidents in the Marcy Dam area on June 6: one hiker with bee sting-induced facial swelling and another with a broken finger. Both hikers were assisted to their vehicles.

A two-day backpacking trip to Mount Colden following a severe thunderstorm and flash flooding. The trail from Avalanche Lake was extremely wet with knee-deep water, mud, and cascading water over rock slabs; a ranger warned of recent rescues from slippery conditions and a serious incident on the trap dike.

A hike to Ashokan High Point in the Catskills encountered thick fog and rain with limited visibility, but the author found beauty in close-up natural details including flora, fauna, stream crossings, and forest features rather than distant views.

Solo counterclockwise loop of the Catskill 9 completed in 12 hours 15 minutes covering approximately 20.5 miles and 6,500 feet of elevation gain. Conditions were mist and clouds with occasional drizzle and some wet terrain; hiker reported good herdpath usage and manageable bushwhacking between peaks.

Vernooy Falls is a short, moderate out-and-back waterfall hike featuring a four-stage waterfall, mill ruins, and multiple stream crossings; the trail tends to be muddy and includes blowdown obstacles. The area may harbor rattlesnakes in warmer months.

Winter hiking guide for the safest route to Sugarloaf Mountain via Dibbles Quarry and Pecoy Notch from Roaring Kill trailhead. Microspikes required minimally; snowshoes recommended in deeper snow. Author attempted the route in February 2022 and had to turn back at 3200' due to deteriorating weather before returning two weeks later on better conditions.

Trail guide describing the Race Brook Falls and Mount Everett route featuring steep terrain, rock scrambles, stream crossings, waterfalls, and potential rattlesnake exposure. The hike is regarded as difficult and very popular, with scenic forest and hemlock stands.

A detailed trail guide for the 10-mile Schunemunk Mountain loop with 1800 ft elevation gain, described as a difficult route featuring open conglomerate rock ridges, exposed terrain, steep and sketchy descents, and significant rattlesnake habitat. The route involves navigating multiple junctions with cairns marking the way, crossing brooks, and traversing the western ridge back to the trailhead.

The Willow trailhead route to Tremper Mountain Fire Tower is a quiet, underused alternative to the classic route, offering good hiking solitude with yellow-blazed trail navigation and some steep sections. The trail features hemlock stands and brooks but passes through stinging nettles; bear and coyote activity have been observed, with rough road access that benefits from AWD/4WD and is subject to repair.

Hiker completed Red Hill and Overlook in the Catskills, with the main event being an unexpected encounter with a mama bear and four cubs on the Dry Brook trailhead to Balsam Lake, which prompted early retreat from that hike. Overlook was hiked successfully with views of summit ruins and tower.

A detailed evergreen route guide for Mill Brook Ridge via Kelly Hollow, describing the easy trail through Kelly Hollow paired with a steep bushwhack ascent to the summit, plus observations from a winter hike with snow and cold conditions (14°F).

The herd path from Ashokan High Point down to Little Ashokan is a steep, unmaintained, and challenging route requiring off-trail experience. The descent features rough ledges, loose rock and dirt, significant blowdown, and scrambling sections; the route is sketchy and hazardous throughout, though worn enough to be traceable with careful route-finding.

First-time backcountry solo campout at Echo Lake in late September, with a hike in from Platte Clove and bushwhack ascent of Plattekill on the way out. Reporter encountered coyote activity, bear hang requirements, and noted beautiful fall conditions with mostly level terrain and excellent views from the Plattekill lookout.

A detailed trail guide describing the steep but moderately-graded Tremper Mountain fire tower route, featuring consistent 30-35° grades, fire tower views of surrounding Catskill peaks, water availability at a spring, and potential rattlesnake exposure in warmer months. The route is approximately 3 miles with 1,950 feet of elevation gain.

A detailed evergreen trail guide to Brace Mountain and Mount Frissell in the Taconics, featuring a steep initial mile with an exposed rock scramble, open ridge hiking with scenic views, and mountain laurel sections. The route includes wayfinding challenges and potential rattlesnake exposure in warmer months.

Route description of West Kill via St. Anne's Peak, including terrain, trail conditions, and seasonal observations. The hike features steep sections, rocky terrain on the east side of St. Anne's, and boreal woods on West Kill's west side; a road walk back to trailhead can be used as alternate descent.

A comprehensive route guide describing a hike from Platte Clove through Plattekill Mountain to Echo Lake, featuring well-marked trail for most of the journey but with a very difficult bushwhack to a scenic lookout on Plattekill's south side. The route includes exposure hazards, thick mountain laurel, rocky terrain, potential rattlesnake encounters, and a steep descent to Echo Lake backcountry campground.

First-person account of a challenging loop hike in April over North Dome and Sherrill involving significant bushwhacking through snow, steep ledges with hard ice, and difficult stream crossings. The route included multiple scrambling sections with ledge systems and required navigation through thick brush between peaks.