Kaaterskill Falls

Kaaterskill Falls

I can not recall how many times I had drove past the trail for Kaaterskill Falls on my way to Hunter Mountain ski area not knowing that one of the best waterfalls in the United States was only a short hike away. Located in the Catskill Mountains of New York state, the 260' falls is comprised of two free falling sections, 180' for the upper and 80' for the lower. Few falls are so beautiful and nicely framed my forests and and light colored sandstone cliffs it gives one the impression of canyons of the Colorado Plateau of the southwest.

This image was shot in October, 2013 caught the fall colored at it's peak. I had hoped to get full sunlight but after I realized it's northwest exposure and deep canyon might not ever get full sun exposure except for a few hours in summer. I did not hike further into the cove and visit the cavern behind the upper falls as there is no maintained trail past this site- that trail was destroyed to protect the state from sue happy visitors too stupid to keep themselves from slipping off the cliffs! I fully plan on visiting the on a future trip! 

The falls was first made famous by painter, Thomas Cole, and the painters of the Hudson River School of Art. As you can see why paintings below such as this were the impetus of a mid 19th century tourist industry which at it's height was world destination!

The Cavern

19th Century Tourists

Hunter Mountain

The Hunter Mountain of my youth was all Ski College Ski Racing and trying to pick up chicks from New York City in the now historic Discotheques of Hunter's past- Yes, Bee Gee's and Donna Summer music! Medal's were more easier for me on the slopes then the women but it was all fun. I miss it. Hunter Mountain in the Catskills of New York is a worthy place to ski. 1600 feet of vertical puts it in a class of respected ski resorts of America. It's snow conditions vary as most eastern ski areas are: great in the beginning then icy after the inevitable rainstorm comes. But, I have skied Hunter in the spring, April 28th, with 24" of Colorado Champagne dry snow. Yes, it seems like an oxymoron, but it was true. Here it is as it looked this Autumn!

Hunter Mountain Resort, New York

Catskill Mountains Autumn

180 degree view from Artist Rock

After a night car camped at North Lake State campground waking to an ice encrusted vehicle, I started hiking to my morning shoot, an un-scouted photo location known as Artist Rock with only my GPS to guide me to the landmark. With a name like Artist Rock it sounded like a sure photogenic bet! Now I don’t cold shoot a location. I first research by shoots well before my visit but I was not expecting to end up on my first night out in the Catskills but had planned photographing in Harriman State Park to the south. If a storm front from the south did not force me to find the clearer skies to the north I would have had an afternoon to well research this Catskill Location. But even with the GPS, it was easy to lose track of the well marked trail from the numerous side trails that followed along the well layered horizontal rock strata of the Catskill Mountain- According to geologists, the Catskills are not true mountains. They are a highly erosion dissected plateau.

The short diversion took long enough for me to lose the predawn light part of my shoot which was a loss. Not photographing the sun rising over the horizon was not much of a loss as cloud cover prevented a clean light rise. So I had some time to set up for my panoramic before the sun peeked above the low elevation clouds resulting in this image here. As you can see the autumn foliage is at peak, the angle of the sun is just right to bring out the leave’s colors. The sky has enough of both blueness and clouds to fill it- a perfect full light fall color Catskill image like the Hudson River School of Art painting that made Artist Rock and the Catskills famous!