CATSKILLS - KAATERSKILL FALLS AREA: 4/22/16

On a muggy Friday with scattered thunderstorms we visited the iconic Kaaterskill Falls, perhaps the most famed location in all the Catskills. A new path and viewing platform have been constructed at the top of the falls, accessed from a trailhead on Laurel House Rd. Construction will be ongoing through this year, but luckily on this day the parking area, trail and platform were all open.

 This is the distant view from the ledges at the top of this towering cataract.

Looking down to the bottom. Extreme caution is urged here, especially when the ledges are wet.

Where the brook falls over the brink.

This is a popular tourist spot, but there is very dangerous terrain off the paths.

The new platform is the best spot from which to view the falls.

You get a clear look at the big upper drop.

Looking across Kaaterskill Clove at Roundtop Mountain.

We then returned to the Laurel House Road trailhead and walked most of the way west along the Kaaterskill Rail Trail, finding a fun series of geocaches along the way.

This was a very pleasant stroll.

Portions of the rail trail are reminiscent of the Lincoln Woods Trail in the Whites.

A spur path off the rail trail leads to a newly cut vista providing a spectacular angle on Kaaterskill Falls.

Just as we settled down for lunch here, a thunderstorm rolled in and sent us scurrying back to the car.

After the minor storm went by, we spent some time relaxing by South Lake. We were enjoying the Catskills so much we decided to stay another night before heading home to New Hampshire.