Several mentions noted that it was open twenty-four hours which was both strange for a park as we’ve never seen that before in other New York parks and, also, intriguing.
The weather up was uneventful as was most of the drive. Once away from the city, it was just highway and lined on both sides by trees. The only entertainment being staring at the clouds and trying to find shapes and characters they may form. We could have sworn one looked like a mouse doing a bicep flex pose. No, we were not drinking! But we couldn’t help but share a picture with family and friends.
After a long, several hour trip, we finally made it along a serpentine road that contained several locations related to the park and connected to the falls via foot trails. We were expecting to come to a formal parking lot, but we did not encounter it being we were on the opposite side of the trail containing just the trail head; something that could easily be missed if not using GPS directions.
We passed multiple spots with cars parked in little cut outs on the side of the road. The people on the other side of the road having climbed over guardrails. It seemed quite dangerous considering not only having to cross the road, but that there was little to no space where they were standing before a drop off down the cliff. Nevertheless, they were standing there and we passed in disbelief stating that we would never do something to that effect.
Not a mile later, there we were, parked in a slightly larger cutout and walking across the road and climbing over a guardrail. ::facepalm::
We walked ran from one section to another as we hugged the walls and tried to time avoiding the inevitable passing traffic. One section was a wall with no space at all and another was a bridge of the same situation. We found it to be extremely sketchy and wanted to get through it as quick as possible to make it to the trail head. I haven’t ran that speed and distance in years. It was one of the times where it was every man/woman for themselves.
After the several minute real-life car dodging game, we made it to the trail head in what was a dark, rocky, and slippery start to the trail. And, although we had fun as we will describe in this spur of the moment trip, we do advise more planning if you decide to do the same walk; or any walk for that matter. Please do keep in mind the dangers posted.
We began the trail with little expectation. It commenced with rocks and clay for stairs and we were excited. It had not started raining yet, and frankly we weren’t expecting rain as the forecast had mentioned thunderstorms for the middle of the night. Along the way, we had asked those returning to the beginning of the trail how close we were. Big mistake :). The first person said we were 15 to 20 minutes away. The next person a few minutes later said we were close and almost there. Given there are two spots, the view at the bottom of the fall and the overview at the top of the falls. They must have been speaking about the first step of the falls because after about 15 minutes and a few hundred steps and burning quadriceps later, we saw a clay path to the left that seemed to lead to falls. However, there was a sign to the right, nailed to a tree, that said Kaaterskill Falls with an arrow pointing up with a dozen or more steps.
At this point it had already started raining and we were not sure we wanted to continue to turn back. In our infinite wisdom, we knew we had driven hours to get to the park and said to ourselves, “We’re here. We might as well continue.” And so we did. We walked higher and up ever more slick terrain as the rain continued to fall and fall. We passed several couples either returning or walking in the same direction, each trying to shelter under tree branches as there is no formal spot to hide from the rain along the trail.
Continuing on, and after another hundred foot elevation increase, a few slips, and another 15 minutes or so, we reached a beautiful walking bridge with a sign that stated the overlook was only another ten of a mile or so. We were elated… and then the skies opened up. There were loud roars of thunder and flashes of lightning and we were doing our best to continue on our way.
Our eyes burned as the rain water carried the salty sweat we had accumulated from the walk into our weary eyes. We knew we were close and around another thirty seconds of walking found us at the overlook with chocolate milk looking streams of water running down the path and into our shoes.
The view was gorgeous. A small stream of water continuously flowing over the edge of the rocks down to the bottom of the falls. To the right, a view of the vast valley we had driven through stretching as far as we could see with green hills of various elevations containing what was likely steam but looked like smoke billowing out of them.
We thought we had experienced a passing storm that lessened up as we reached the peak; and in all honesty, it did allow us to take in the beautiful and mesmerizing view. However, the moment we stepped off the platform of the overlook, once again the clouds opened up and it just poured. A never ending torrent of heavy drops that were sponged up by the cotton material we decided it was appropriate to wear this day because hey, it breathes and we were a quarter day of time away from any rain!
What took us maybe a half hour to walk up, took us at least double to make it back down. We were non-stop alert and cautiously taking every step as though it could be slick as ice. Over stumps, down uneven rocks, through a trail that had become a stream. Our feet feeling the water slosh back and forth inside our shoes with each step.
With the thunder and lighting over head, it was a situation both exhilarating and cringe worthy at the same time. Nobody likes to be soaked and walking with clothes that make it feel like one is wearing a weighted vest.
Nevertheless, we made it back to the point in the trail that was the first step of the falls and, since we were completely soaked through already, decided to walk it and take it in as well. The power of the water, even at the minimal amount it was, took time to appreciate. As did the amount of undercutting that we witnessed just under the second step of the falls we had seen earlier. The whole cliff looked as though it could collapse at any minute.
Thankfully we were able to enjoy the experience and then took the next 20 minutes or so to continue back what seemed like a never ending trail of loose rock, chocolate milk rivers of clay, and slippery roots ending back at the trail head and the inevitable car dodging trek back to the cutout.
While we do think it would be an excellent experience for so many others with witness, we would suggest taking a bit more planning into consideration around weather and gear. We, also, would suggest parking at the Laurel House parking lot (about two tenths of a mile from the upper falls versus two and a quarter miles).
Despite the concerns, it was truly memorable and recommendable for a day trip. Now get out there!!!
-Chris & Ola