Rainbow Falls After Irene

Rainbow Falls

Bridge washed away

Classic Gunks

Blowdown near Awosting Falls

Carriageway used and abused by Irene

Sunset

I walked the Long Path to Rainbow Falls. Irene left her mark for sure. Just south of Lake Awosting a bridge had been destroyed. Trees were down all over the place. It’s amazing how high the stream must have been. The three beautiful days have really brought down the levels of the small streams and creeks.

After walking along classic Gunk terrain, I descended down to Rainbow Falls. It was running quite a bit more than the first time I had been here. Mid July Rainbow Falls trickled down. Not a very powerful waterfall, it was most certainly more than a trickle. This waterfall is the ultimate to just strip down and stand under on a hot and humid day.

I then climbed up to the Awosting carriageway. Again, it was evident that Irene passed this way. In parts the carriageway had fallen off into the woods. Another bridge was knocked out. The carriage way led to Awosting Falls. This forty foot drop is one of the more impressive. This past weekend it doubled in size. It must have been a sight to see.

Much of the carriageway that runs along the Peters Kill was annihilated. In some spots it was completely absorbed by the creek. Downed trees were everywhere. The scars left by Irene will remain for a very long time.

Hurricane Irene Rip Van Winkle Trail

Kaaterskill Falls

One of many lovely tributaries

Cool spot under bridge

Irene was not all bark

Lower falls

Poor Fawn




As expected, Hurricane Irene did not live up to expectations. How could it? Our politicians were treating it as if it were the end of times. And as what happens to most hurricanes when they head north, their winds die down. As it so happened, the weather cleared as I was leaving work. So I decided to take advantage of this and go back and check out Kaaterskill Falls while it was in a complete rage.

What Irene did do was bring a ton of rain. Of course, as I neared Palenville Irene let me know she wasn’t finished yet. I was confused. The models on the weather channel all showed Irene clear of the area. Damn weather forecasters! Almost ready to leave after waiting an hour for the weather to clear (and pissed at myself for leaving my rain jacket at work), I just said, “Fuck it.” I’d mostly be just walking on road (23A was closed) and the trail was only a half mile. So what if I get a bit wet? Luckily as I opened the back of the car, I spotted a rain jacket and pants my Aunt had given me last year. Perfect.

And the rest of the walk would be perfect, too. Walking out of the car with the rain suit on reminded me of how much I enjoy walking in the rain. Although I’ve had some bad experiences, they mostly have been good. The smell. The sound rain makes as it hits your jacket. The natural coolant rain is as your walking a nice incline. The sound it makes as it hits the trees. The taste. The sound of running water. The way it feels as it touches your body. The wet feet and the dampness you may feel are an afterthought.

It didn’t take long to know why the road was closed. There were two spots where landslides had broken up part of the road. A bridge lost some concrete from a downed tree. There were also countless areas where tributaries had taken over the road. On the way back, there would be a downed tree across the road. Fortunately, nobody stopped me along the way.

The walk on 23A was far more beautiful than I thought. I had been down this road once before on bicycle. But, I was going down and it was almost dark. Otherwise, I had only been by car. Sometimes you just have to go on foot to appreciate how wonderful something is. There were constant views down into the creek from above. There is Fawn’s Leap a potentially very beautiful waterfall. Dozens of minor tributaries made its way to the creek. Crystal clear water sparkled among the very much alive green vegetation, in stark contrast to the brown roaring creek down below.

When I reached the trail to Kaaterskill Falls, I was overwhelmed by the explosiveness of Bastion Falls. It looked pissed. It sounded pissed. The creek at this point rushed with such ferocity it appeared it would pull me in at any moment. All because of Irene! My fears were not unjustified. As I walked towards Kaaterskill Falls parts of the trail were swallowed up by the bulging with anger creek down below. The Falls appeared totally different on this day. A muddy brown. Tumbling down with a rage not seen two days ago. The upper falls were barely in view since the creek swallowed up the great view points or made them inaccessible. It was a sight to see. If only I could remain. If only.

Waterfalls!!! Part II

Kaaterskill Falls

From the top of Bastion Falls

The tree to the left is in a precarious spot when Irene pays a visit

A person rapelling down upper falls

A little art along the way

Bastion Falls

Back in the day the Catskills were a real happening place




After a week of mostly hard driving rain and with Hurricane Irene making its way up the eastern seaboard, today would be a good day for a late afternoon stroll to Kaaterskill Falls. At 265 feet, these two tiered falls are the highest in New York State.

There was a nice crowd making its way towards the Falls. At only a half mile, this makes for a popular trail. No stiff climbing for a rewarding view here. The trail is easy to follow and gets a bit slippery when wet. Otherwise, there are well placed rocks that make for great steps along with some wooden steps.

The trail begins off Route 23A which affords a nice view of Bastion Falls. This is an impressive Falls in its own right. After ascending gradually over the next half mile, the trail ends at the base of Kaaterskill Falls. On this day, with all the previous rain, it was flowing mightily.

We then did a bit of scrambling to just above the lower falls. The Upper Falls, in my opinion, is the prettier of the two. It falls dramatically with no interruption for over one hundred feet.

Waterfalls!!!

Stony Kill Falls, highest in the Shawangunks

Looking through the falls at the peaceful blue skies.

Behind the roaring falls

Side view of Awosting Falls

Awosting Falls




The past three days brought us lots of rain. Sunday brought record totals in NYC. It poured many times in the Hudson Valley. The rains, besides creating a bit of a mess, provide beautiful green grass and trees. Many spots look almost tropical. The rains also give us waterfalls. What once were trickles a few weeks ago are now roaring.

At work today I thought, "it being such a lovely day, maybe I should check out some waterfalls." Originally, I planned to hit Kaaterskill Falls, but since I had been numerous times, I decided to head for the Gunks and check out Stony Kill Falls and Awosting Falls.

Stony Kill Falls is the highest in the Gunks. This most assuredly was a trickle before the rains came. I could hear it long before I spotted it through the trees. Up close it was quite the site. Since the falls flow off and overhang, it was possible to walk behind the falls without getting soaked.

Sitting behind here, sipping the beer I brought in, got me thinking. It was quite remarkable the contrasts of the calm blue skies above and the roaring waterfall right in front of me. The waterfall being so beautiful, descended with such savagery. It met the creek bed with brutal force.

Next up was Awosting Falls. These falls were far higher than I expected. These falls, I knew were powerful and it did not disappoint. The creek above was roaring and just poured down the falls with an enormous amount of force. I have to say, I couldn't have picked a better day to check these two waterfalls out.

Breakneck Sunset

The scramble up Breakneck

Looking south down the Hudson at West Point

Sunset


This was a quick jaunt up Breakneck to watch the sunset. Not one of the best place to view a sunset, but good never the less. Although the rocks appeared dry, they were clearly damp from yesterday's rains. I noticed I did not have the traction as I did 3 weeks prior.

The hike down was interesting in the dark. Just after the sun set, I caught the moon setting. It's in its first quarter, so it was just a sliver, but it was a beautiful bright orange shining above the lights below.