The Catskill Mountains

Hi All, This is quite last minute (but I just found out I dont have work this weekend), but I am trying to find a spot where I can camp by the car and hopefully near some good trout water to do some fly fishing. I am semi familiar with the Esopus Creek from Kingston up Rt 28 but I dont think I've ever seen any camp sites along the river that I know of. Really looking to just sent up tent by the car and walk to the water if I can. I am spinning my wheels looking at interactive maps from the DEC but I was curious if anyone else has any experience and wouldnt mind sharing! Thanks!

I’m thinking of going on a vacation up there. I get really sensitive to dust, pollution, mold etc.

I love the mountain air. Like in New Paltz, Gardiner, Ulster.

But Ironically some mountain towns have a lot of construction and road construction. Which creates this kind of smog and dust in the air despite the mountain air. Is sullivan like this near bethel?

Thanks so much.

https://ancientartvenetianplaster.com a Catsill mountain based company!

Here for the weekend and thought it would be a great idea to try to book a massage while I’m in town (we’re doing a lot of hiking!). Any nearby places/recommendations? I already tried the Emerson and they have no availability tomorrow 😭

TYIA!

My husband and I will be visiting the Roxbury area this summer. We'll have a full kitchen where we're staying, so that will allow us to bring to do carry-out or heat up some meals.

We're looking for suggestions for "regular" pizza with thin crust -- we're not after anything fancy. Just pizza with lots of cheese and some good basic toppings.

The other important thing is ice cream -- is there anywhere in the area that makes their own hard ice cream or brings a good ice cream into their store?

We're also considering picking up some BBQ. We'll pass High on the Hog BBQ on our way to Roxbury (we're coming from the Albany area). Does anyone have any opinions on this place or any others in the vicinity?

The only concrete plans we have for this trip is to visit Delhi (my husband graduated from there years ago) and the Pakatakan Farmers Market. I pretty much consider the circle for this visit to be 30/28/10/23 circle, but we're willing to venture outside of that area.

As an FYI, places that have caught our eye include Goatie White's for fudge and milkshakes, Pizzo's Gourmet Foods to get something to take with us, and T.P.'s Cafe for a burger. Point us to something fun/unique/good.

Thanks!

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Hello all,

My friend and I will be hiking the Devil's Path in early June and I was wondering if anyone could comment on the snow conditions there - either due to personally hiking it recently or prior experience.

I don't own microspikes but will be backpacking in Washington shortly before, specifically in a park where there will possibly be snow at high altitude. As such, if there's a decent likelihood I'll encounter it on this path, I think I'll just bite the bullet and go in on the purchase.

Thoughts?

EDIT: Appreciate those with constructive thoughts or info! I’m just going to purchase the micro spikes because they’ll possibly come in handy in Washington (and the future), but happy to know the trails are fairly clear at this point (obviously future weather conditions may have some influence).

I have had a nightmare string of events at great expressions in Liberty, NY, and I refuse to return for them to finish up my dental work. If anyone is debating using them, they are horrible and very unprofessional.

They are one of the only offices that accept fidelis insurance though, but I'm willing to drive up to 6 hours round trip for a kind and reputable doctor.

Does anyone have any kind, caring office suggestions within a 150 mile radius of this area?

On my way to and from Balsam mountain via Rider Hollow Road I could see to the South East a very symmetrical mountain. Coming down Dry Brook Road and at that intersection I could see it in distance and am trying to figure it out . Graham, Double Top or Big Indian ?

Thanks !

Around 12:00pm today (Sunday, May 12th) I was riding my motorcycle south on Route 42 from Lexington towards Shandaken. Ahead of me, as I can recall, were two SUVs — a late model VW Atlas and Volvo XC90 if the drivers happen to be Reddit users.

I believe it was as we were driving through Deep Notch/Halcott Mountain, the car in front stopped as a mystifying creature ran across the road.

It was about the size of a mid-to-large sized dog (approx the size of a small lab), quadrupedal with shuffling, almost marsupial-like walk. My first thought was presumably a bear (it had dark brown or black course fur) — but for the fact that it had a rather long and thick tail. And its walk wasn’t like a bear’s leggy lope when they sprint across the road. I could only briefly catch its head as it ran East under the divider, but it looked to have a fairly blunt snout. Definitely not a coyote.

I couldn’t figure out what it was and was inclined to stop my bike and try to get a photo but the shoulder is awfully narrow and thought better of it.

That said, I’ve been wracking my brain as to what it might be. Thoughts were:

1. Beaver — but the legs were way too long, almost bear-like and the torso was carried quite a ways above the ground. It just didn’t have a beaver’s tail.
2. Bear — It didn’t move like a bear. The tail was perplexing, but sometimes looking through the visor things get tough to resolve. I’m almost positive it had a long stiff, coarse-furred tail.
3. Some Wildcat — Honestly, size, coat, gait, tail, everything was off. It was substantially longer and shaggier than bobcat.
4. Dog — It didn’t look or move like a dog and it’s an awful remote stretch of road…but the eyes could deceive.

I described the sighting to my wife this evening. She showed me a picture of wolverine and I’ve since looked at videos. They far and away look the most like what I saw…

…but they’ve been extinct in the Catskills for a long time it seems. Am I losing my mind? Have there been other Wolverine sightings?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for a 1 night, backcountry trail in the Catskills. Any recommendations? Preferably a less crowded option than other, more popular trails. Thanks

Hey y’all, I’m near shandaken hoping to see the lights tonight. Anyone seeing them? Should I head north towards Lexington?

Appreciate any tips 🙏

It’s that time of year again, and young stinging nettles will soon be back in full bloom across the Catskills. Has anyone tried making soup from them? If so, what’s your preferred recipe?

Hello! I am baking a birthday cake this weekend and forgot the edible flowers I bought in NYC. Does anyone know where I could find some near Margaretville or even Phoenicia . Willing to drive a bit to get these. Thank you!

Hi! I just got a chance to stay in in this area for the summer and i cant find any information about the town so I was wondering if anyone could tell me about the culture/community?

On a national park roadtrip and I am stopping through the Catskills for a night or so this weekend. Wanted to know if there are any dispersed car camping spots anyone knows of. I’m using a rooftop tent so I’m not gonna be hiking into anything. Just want a place I can setup shop for a day or so. I dispersed camp all last summer out west but it seems there are more regulations here. Thankyou