Trail Conditions Forum

Mud? Ice? High water at stream crossings?

This is the place to let the trail community know what you encountered, where and when (be as precise as possible). Suggestion: Make the trail or park name your subject.

To report serious trail problems that need Trail Conference attention, including illegal trail use issues, visit our Contact Us page. Problems reported through our Contact Us page get to the maintainers fast and reliably. Problems reported on the forum below may help fellow trail users avoid problem areas until they get fixed, but not all maintainers read this regularly.

 

PVPatrick's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/04/2012 - 10:35am
There are timber rattlesnakes throughout the highlands, a beautiful important native specie.
j4pogy4's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/27/2012 - 9:48am
Warning to all hikers on the Yellow trail at Breackneck (the one that goes to the famous dead tree overlooking the Hudson) between the Blue and Red Trail intersections, about halfway through - encountered a Yellow Timber Rattlesnake.  About 4 ft, was sitting in the grass and I nearly walked right into it.  About 4 ft in length, this snake exists in NY in very low numbers, less than 200 known.  While not prevelant in this area, beware that these snakes do exist and are dangerous.  My encounter was benign, i have great pictures, and truly humbled about my experience.  I was with my dog who would normally investigate, and somehow he just ran right by, never noticing.  Lucky for him.  This is a venomous snake, do not handle or distrub if you see one of these.  They are a threatened species in NY, allow these sankes some space and leave them alone.  Beautiful creature, despite the danger element.
RyanBKLYN1's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/29/2012 - 2:07pm
I too ran into a Timber Rattler (although in black phase) on May 10th, just off the Yellow trail near the aquaduct. I heard a 'hum' further up near the white and yellow trail intersection, but thought it was an incect (guess I missed one). About 10min and a few hundred feet later, I ran into my snake, nearly stepping on him. Looked to be about 4ft, matte black with a very thick body. Luckily, I think we were both on the same page, and backed off as quickly as possible. Got off a (very shaky) pic on my cell. As if Breakneck needed more excitement! 
foottraffic's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/27/2012 - 7:13am
With the bridge out, is there  another option to reach the PG trail from where the bridge used to be.  Looking to take some younger scouts on the described hike around Bear Mt, but with the bridge out, looking to revise it some.
johnm's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/01/2012 - 11:12pm
There is no satisfactory option for crossing the Popolopen Creek anywhere near to the former bridge location.  The only other solid crossing is the crossing of the combined PG, T-T, 1777W and 1779 about 0.6 mile south of the former bridge location, and it does not provide for short loop connections (the creek crossing can be seen on the Trail Conference trail map).   In low water conditions, not likely the current situation after recent rains, the creek can be crossed with care a short distance west of the bridge location where on the southern side of the creek an old fireplace is still visible near the PG Trail.  I can not recommend this crossing, especially with a youth group.  Not knowing what described hike is referred to in the question, further guidance for completing a loop hike is not possible.
thegup's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/18/2012 - 10:02am
You are correct that it is easier the way you are planning.  Thewoods road from South Mountain Pass to the Nose is popular but not crazy busy like Breakneck or Bull Hill on weekends.  The Blue trail from the Nose to the Toll House is never crowded unless you run into a platoon of guard troops in full battle rattle humping the trail as part of their training.  If you do, step aside, thank them and cheer them on.  It's a good hike. Enjoy!
slabelson's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/17/2012 - 4:05pm
I was considering doing a shuttle hike starting on the A.T. from the parking area on South Mtn. Pass Rd, to the Camp Smith Trail, and ending at the parking area on 202/6 about 2.5 miles south of the Bear Mtn. Bridge (at the very bottom of the #101 map in the East Hudson map set).  Firstly, this north-south route looked less steep than the opposite direction, but can anyone comment on that?  Also, is this trail insanely popular/crowded on weekends? Thanks!
bklynhiker's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/16/2012 - 5:01pm
A section of the Peter Kills carriageway was washed out by tropical storm Irene (the section just before the long path descends to Rainbow Falls) .  Wondering if the bridge and grass surroundings has been repaired yet, and if not, when is it expected to be done?  
walkwoman's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 06/06/2012 - 1:42am
Spoke to Park Personnel about two weeks ago before hiking there:  Carriageway still detoured; all stream crossing there still unfordable and Jenny Lane Trail closed as well. Call Park Office for further updates.
Larry Wheelock's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/15/2012 - 3:16pm
Re: Highlands Trail, Jessup Trail and soon to be new route of the Long Path: Gonzaga Park near the south end of Schunemunk Mountain has been opened. There is a gate across Mountain Road at Seven Springs Rd blocking vehicular traffic to the Park at night. Foot traffic around the gate is not restricted. It's a beautiful park and offers a good sized parking area durring the day.
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/04/2012 - 11:32am
I've only been there during the week- how crowded do the trails get on weekends? Thinking of going running there on Saturday, but not if there are going to be crowds all over. Thanks
Michael K7's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/05/2012 - 6:17pm
I'll answer my own question, since i went today. Not too crowded at all, most of the people i saw were near the Hemlock Falls area, there were a few on the trails, mostly people with their unleashed dogs. As an aside, the rock crossing near the northern trailhead on the Rahway Trail could use some work, as the last few times i've been there, i was barely able to keep my feet dry.
hikergary's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/03/2012 - 9:24pm
I'm planning on hiking the AT northbound from the Delware Water Gap to Bear Mountain the last week in May. I'll be using the ATC's most recent NJ/NY section maps. I read on the ATC's site that there's a detour caused by a washout of the Long House Creek Bridge (near Bearfort Mountain/Greenwood Lake). Aside from that and the reroutes in Bear Mountain, are there any sections that would deviate from the map? Also, any suggestions for favorite/ least favorite shelters? Any other "words of wisdom" would be appreciated as well.   Thanks. Happy hiking.
Gene Giordano's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/04/2012 - 9:16pm
The Longhouse Creek Bridge is repaired and back in place, no detour.   The trail has recently been permanently rerouted in the vicinity of Sunfish Pond and should be easy to follow. In the event you are not sure, don't worry, as both routes will end up in the same place. We are currently working on brushing in the old section. Don't think this will be a problem, but would be a very slight deviation in the map.
hikergary's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/08/2012 - 10:09am
Thanks for the update and for maintaining the trails, Gene. Your work's grately appreciated.
walkwoman's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 05/01/2012 - 4:59pm
Just an fyi: As of April 28th hike all creek/stream crossings along School Mountain Road in Fahnestock are quite doable. Great major temp repair on washed out bridge 0.4m from Hubbard Lodge.  Badly damaged second steel bridge really wrecked, but still okay to use.  Other creeks/streams w/huge wooden beams in place albeit not affixed also crossable as are strategically-placed rock crossings. 
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/26/2012 - 12:56pm
Hi, anything new to report on the Stahahe Brook crossing. I'm planning on hiking from the Elks Pen parking area down toward the Valley of Boulders and was wondering whether anything has changed as far as a crossing for the Stahahe Brook. Thanks for any comments.
Larry Wheelock's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/26/2012 - 2:28pm
Yes, we can report that a reroute of the Stahahe Brook Trail has been approved by both the NY-NJ Trail Conference Trails Council and the Park. This reroute will run along the east side of the Brook to meet the Nurian Trail close to that crossing. The reroute has not been completed but will be announced as soon as it is. The Stahahe Brook Bridge will not likely be replaced.
rich_frantz's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/26/2012 - 11:25am
As I was hiking around the lake on 4/21 I came across a large tree blocking the trail just above Badmins Cave. FYI
Jeff Senterman's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/26/2012 - 3:38pm
Thanks for the info - I will pass it along to the Trail Supervisor in the area so that he can follow up with the trail maintainer and the NYSDEC. Jeff Senterman - Catskill Region Program Coordinator