Catskill Mountains Lark in the Park

10/01/2022

This week’s Trail Conditions are brought to you by Eastern Mountain Sports

You can expect great hiking conditions this weekend.

With highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s it's important to bring extra layers, especially if you plan on spending the night. Temperatures are usually quite a bit cooler at higher elevations. Always prepare for a cooler temperature than predicted while hiking.

Some areas of the trail may still be wet or muddy. Remember to avoid walking around muddy sections to help preserve the flora and fauna nearby.

For more information on this week's trail conditions please visit the Catskills Visitor Center website
https://catskillsvisitorcenter.org/hiking-and-camping/trail-conditions/

09/16/2022

The Lark in the Park Events Calendar is really taking shape. Take a look and make your reservations for any of them. Choose from Paddles, Hikes, Outdoor Yoga, Educational events and some multipurpose combinations. From paddles to identify invasive aquatic species to hikes exploring Catskills history and anthropology to mountaintop yoga, no matter what you choose, you're certain to have fun.
https://catskillslark.org/

09/08/2022

The 19th annual Catskills Lark in the Park is taking shape, with exciting events being posted on the calendar every day. Running from October 1 - 10 this year, the Lark takes advantage of the spectacularly colorful Fall leaf-peeper season. We'll have hikes, paddles, tours, outdoor yoga, educational events and more. Check out the events and check back often for more. Register for your favorites using the form provided. Registration is limited, so sign up soon! https://catskillslark.org/park_events/2022-10/

10/14/2021

The 2021 Lark wrapped up on Monday and we are so happy to report that the weather was mostly favorable and that the turnout for our in-person events was outstanding. While we don't have totals, we know that many events were full. It's gratifying to see that so many folks felt comfortable with our covid precautions and were excited to get back to a Lark in the Park that shared the great experiences and the fun of outdoor recreation and learning in the Catskills.
Here's hoping the 2022 Lark will have lots of in-person events. We know that will be possible if we all do our part to protect ourselves and each other from covid.

10/01/2021

Time flies and the 2021 Catskills Lark in the Park arrives tomorrow for a 10 day stay. Offering activities and events for those who want to pick there own time and place or who would like the guidance of someone who knows the territory, there's something for anyone. Pick a cycling route, a site for paddling, a less traveled hiking route or one that will award you a patch for your efforts. Choose from several self-guides tours that highlight some of the Catskills best scenery. Or just sit in your favorite chair and listen to a presentation about one of several topics related to the history and the conservation of the Catskills Park and region.. All for free. For all this and more check the event menus at catskillslark.org.

09/30/2021

Looking for a little more than a recreational experience? The Lark in the Park offers several in-person events that add an educational or cultural component to getting outdoors. The Indigenous Peoples Day Hike visits several stone structures built by Native Americans. Or join one of the three outdoor Yoga sessions, two of which will end with a short hike. Find out more about these events by visiting the Hikes and the Art, History and Education categories at catskillslark.org.

09/28/2021

The colors are just starting to show up on the mountains and should be close to peak during the Catskills Lark in the Park. Our return to in-person events provides eight great hikes for you to chose from. From easy to difficult, the hikes will explore the environment around a lovely pond, climb to a fire tower where the cab will be opened to allow a full 360° panorama, hikes to three of the Catskills' four highest summits with their spectacular views and explorations on some of the Catskills less traveled trails. You can even learn about what it takes to maintain our hiking trails system by joining one of these hikes. You are welcome to pitch in if you like or just enjoy the hike to an expansive view of the Pepacton Reservoir. See event descriptions and register for these and other events at catskillslark.org.

09/27/2021

Whether you like flat water paddling or running a river, we've got you covered. Sign up soon to paddle the beautiful West Branch of the Delaware from Delhi to the Hamden covered bridge on October 2nd. The water is perfect! We've also got two opportunities to glide across the scenic Pepacton Reservoir on either October 8th or 10th. Find out more and sign up for either or both on the Lark website. catskillslark.org

08/29/2021

The 18th Annual Catskills Lark in the Park will be Saturday, October 2nd through Monday, October 11th, 2021
but it will be different again this year. Due to COVID's continued effects, we will be having just a small roster of in-person outdoor events and a number of virtual events. We're putting the schedule together and will let you know when it is available!

03/13/2021

Be sure to complete this important survey to help shape the future of the Catskill Park!

Do you love getting outside in the Catskills? If so, we want to hear from you! The NYSDEC and partners that make up the Catskills Advisory Group invite you to take part in a short survey in which you can share your thoughts on visitor use challenges and potential solutions in this region. Survey closes on March 19.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Catskills_Public_Survey

02/02/2021

More good news on the Bramley Mountain Fire Tower Project!

We're so happy to announce we are the recipient of the $5,000 Rural Initiatives grant from the Laura Jane Musser Fund!

The Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower was just awarded $5,000 by the Laura Jane Musser Fund to go towards the reconstruction of the fire tower on Bramley Mountain.
The grant will be used to fund an engineering study which will help to get the project underway.
Ann Roberti, the President of the Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower said, “We are extremely grateful to the Laura Jane Musser Fund. Non-profits from all over the country apply for these funds, and we feel very fortunate to have received this grant.”
The Laura Jane Musser Fund is headquartered in Little Falls, Minnesota, and its rural initiative is meant to encourage collaborative efforts among citizens in rural communities that will help to strengthen their regions in economic development, business preservation, public space improvements, and education.
“January was a very good month for us.” Roberti said. “We not only received the Musser Grant, but we also succeeded in matching a $5,000 matching gift challenge which was funded by a local hiker.”
“Our goal has been to have the tower back up in 2023, but the beginning of 2021 has gone well enough to make us think that 2022 might be possible.”
More information on the project can be found at [email protected].
Donations to the project can be made on the web site – bramleymountainfiretower.org, or they can be mailed to Friends of Bramley Mountain Fire Tower, PO Box 63 Delhi, NY 13753.

10/23/2020

Trail Update 10-22-20 🥾🍁 Brown, bronze, and gold are the colors of late October in the Catskills.  While the leaves are just past peak, the colors are still beautiful. This weekend should be mild during the day and cool at night, with highs in the 50s and 60s, and lows in the 30s. Sunsets are at about 6:04 pm.

Trail Conditions: There are fallen leaves and pine needles on the trails right now which can be a hazard when descending. Carrying trekking poles and wearing hiking shoes are both recommended to help with foot traction and when encountering rocks. Turkey hunting season began this past week, continue to carry clothing or accessories that are blaze orange when traveling through the woods, and consider avoiding colors like red and blue in your wardrobe! Don’t forget to do a tick check, as ticks are active when the temperature is above freezing (32).

For more information on trails, hiking, and some important upcoming events, please visit:

http://bit.ly/CatskillParkTrailConditions10-22-20