Reports

15 match(es)

Clear
confidence: High Trip Report · hiked 2025-08-29 · adkhighpeaks · source → · detail
Extremely muddy conditions (knee to thigh-deep in spots) between Donaldson and Emmons, with steep, rocky scrambles and slabs near the summits of Donaldson and Seward. Heavy rain throughout the afternoon combined with wet vegetation and exposed roots created treacherous, waterfall-like conditions on descent, resulting in an 11+ hour slog that tested both physical and mental endurance.
Donaldson, Emmons, Seward
bogerodedmudmud-deeprainscrambleslabslippery-rootssteepwetwet-rock
confidence: High Official Advisory · posted 2025-08-12 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
The Avalanche Pass Trail has been closed indefinitely following a major landslide triggered by intense rainfall in mid-July that destroyed the trail corridor between Lake Arnold and Avalanche Lake. Multiple peaks accessed via this route (Algonquin, Colden, Marcy, Skylight, Gray) are no longer accessible via their typical loop routes, though some remain accessible as out-and-back hikes.
Algonquin, Cliff, Colden, Gray, Marcy, Marshall, Redfield, Skylight
blowdownhigh-watermudmud-deepraintrail-closedwashed-out
confidence: Medium Conditions Update · posted 2025-04-28 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
Multi-year collection of user-submitted Catskill trail conditions reports covering seasonal variations in snow, ice, mud, and water conditions across numerous peaks and routes. Reports span from 2021–2025 and include details on required gear (spikes, snowshoes, crampons) and trail hazards for planning purposes.
Balsam Lake, Hunter, Balsam, Balsam Cap, Black Dome, Blackhead, Cornell, Eagle, Friday, Giant Ledge, Halcott, Indian Head, Kaaterskill High, North Dome, Panther, Peekamoose, Plateau, Rusk, Sherrill, Slide, Sugarloaf, Thomas Cole, Twin, West Kill, Windham High, Wittenberg
blowdownbreakable-crustbug-heavycoldcornice-riskcrampons-requireddeep-snowdryerodedfrozen-groundhard-icehigh-waterhigh-windiceloose-rocklow-visibilitymudmud-deeppostholingrainrime-icerotten-snowscramblescreeslabslide-routeslushsnowsnowshoes-requiredspikes-requiredstream-crossing-difficultthunderstorm-riskverglaswater-availablewater-drywater-scarcewater-stagnantwetwet-rock
confidence: Medium Conditions Update · posted 2025-04-28 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
This is a curated collection of user-submitted trail condition reports for Catskill peaks spanning from late 2021 through April 2025, covering seasonal conditions including snow, ice, mud, trail quality, water availability, and wildlife/bug activity across multiple routes and elevations.
Hunter, Balsam, Balsam Cap, Bearpen, Big Indian, Black Dome, Blackhead, Cornell, Eagle, Fir, Friday, Halcott, Indian Head, Kaaterskill High, Lone, North Dome, Panther, Peekamoose, Plateau, Rocky, Rusk, Sherrill, Slide, Sugarloaf, Thomas Cole, Twin, Vly, West Kill, Windham High, Wittenberg
blowdownbreakable-crustbug-heavycoldcrampons-requireddeep-snowdryerodedexposedfrozen-groundhard-icehigh-windicelow-visibilitymudmud-deepovergrownparking-fullpostholingrainrime-icerotten-snowslushsnowsnowshoes-requiredspikes-requiredsteepverglaswater-availablewater-drywater-scarcewetwet-rockwhiteout
confidence: High Trip Report · posted 2024-07-07 · hiking-companions-adk · source → · detail
A two-day hike covering the Seward Range peaks (Donaldson, Emmons, Seward, and Seymour) with significant mud on the lower elevations and steep rock slabs on Seymour's summit approach. The route featured scrambling sections, stream crossings, and varied terrain from flat truck trails to steeply slabbed ascents.
Donaldson, Emmons, Seward, Seymour
exposedloose-rockmudmud-deepscrambleslabslippery-rootssteepstream-crossing-difficult
confidence: High Ranger Incident · hiked 2024-05-30 · adirondack-explorer-sar · source → · detail
A 41-year-old hiker dislocated their knee after slipping in mud on Tabletop Mountain on May 30. Rangers responded to the incident and successfully evacuated the hiker via litter carry to Marcy Dam Outpost.
Table Top
mudmud-deep
confidence: High Ranger Incident · hiked 2024-05-28 · adirondack-explorer-sar · source → · detail
A hiker on Table Top Mountain dislocated their knee after slipping in muddy conditions. A separate incident involved a stranded canoer on Thirteenth Lake whose canoe sank; they were assisted by a forest ranger.
Table Top
mudmud-deep
confidence: High Ranger Incident · hiked 2024-05-27 · adirondack-explorer-sar · source → · detail
An 88-year-old hiker became lost on Table Top Mountain in Moreau Lake State Park after slipping in mud and dislocating their knee on May 27. Rangers located the hiker in good condition off the East Ridge trail and assisted them out of the woods.
Table Top
mudmud-deep
confidence: High Trip Report · hiked 2024-04-21 · adkhighpeaks · source → · detail
A bike-and-hike adventure in the southwestern Catskills covering five peaks (four Catskill hundred highest) over 13 miles on foot and 3+ miles of bushwhacking. Conditions included muddy sections near Hodge Pond, open woods throughout, and some brushy areas; spring wildflowers were beginning to emerge.
bushwhackmudmud-deepmud-impassableovergrownsteep
confidence: High Trip Report · hiked 2023-08-27 · hiking-companions-adk · source → · detail
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.
Algonquin, Cliff, Colden, Gray, Marcy, Redfield, Skylight
bear-activityblowdownhigh-waterladdersmudmud-deeprainslide-routesteepstream-crossing-difficultthunderstorm-riskwetwet-rockwet-slab
confidence: Low Conditions Update · posted 2023-01-15 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
Kaaterskill High Peak via Hurricane Ledge is a long lollipop route from Platte Clove featuring wet trails, deep mud on lower slopes, and a steep, tricky ledge climb. The route includes old woods roads, boardwalks, bushwhack sections, and historical sites. Winter ascents of Hurricane Ledge are extremely dangerous due to icy conditions and cliff exposure.</summary> <parameter name="confidence">Medium
Kaaterskill High
bushwhackerodederosion-severeexposedmudmud-deepsocial-trailssteeptrail-degradedwet
confidence: Medium Conditions Update · posted 2020-09-07 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
A detailed evergreen trail guide describing the Hunter Mountain loop route via Spruceton and Devil's Path trails, including terrain characteristics, muddy sections, boggy areas, and route-finding notes. The author includes a first-person account of a Labor Day sunrise hike with specific observations about trail conditions and landmarks.
Hunter, Blackhead, Kaaterskill High, Panther, Plateau, Rusk, West Kill, Windham High
blowdownbogbushwhackmudmud-deepscramblesteeptrail-degradedwet
confidence: Medium Conditions Update · posted 2020-08-29 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
Detailed trail guide for the counterclockwise loop route on Sugarloaf via Mink Hollow and the western "Suicide Side," featuring steep rocky and muddy sections with rugged scrambling, boulders, and rock chasms. The route is not recommended in winter due to avalanche and technical climbing hazards on the western flank; summer/warmer months offer the best hiking with scenic views and moderate bug activity typical of late summer.
Indian Head, Plateau, Sugarloaf, Twin, West Kill
bug-heavyexposedloose-rockmudmud-deeprockyscramblesteep
confidence: Medium Trip Report · posted 2020-08-16 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
A challenging out-and-back day hike to Panther Peak via the steep Santanoni Ridge herd path, featuring remote terrain with muddy sections, rock scrambles, and significant elevation gain. Conditions were excellent for summer hiking with good views from the summit and surrounding ridge.
Couchsachraga, Henderson, Panther, Santanoni
blowdownbogbushwhackdryerodedmudmud-deeprockyscramblesteep
confidence: Medium Conditions Update · posted 2019-07-02 · mountain-hiking · source → · detail
Evergreen trail guide describing the Kaaterskill High Peak route from Platte Clove with a long muddy approach, multiple junctions, and historic plane wrecks en route. Trail conditions include deep mud in lower sections, lively streams, and variable ice conditions in late November.
Balsam Lake, Hunter, Black Dome, Indian Head, Kaaterskill High, Sugarloaf, Twin
bogcrampons-requiredexposedicemudmud-deepovergrownspikes-requiredsteepwater-availablewet