New York Forest Rangers Make Overnight Rescue at Kaaterskill Wild Forest

The Dangers of Hiking at Kaaterskill Falls

It's no secret that Kaaterskill Falls in the Town of Hunter is one of the more dangerous trails in the region.

It has been reported by the New York Times that between 1988 and 2021 there have been 9 recorded fatalities. According to the Kaaterskill Falls Visitor Information website "Kaaterskill Falls boasts a 260-foot relief from the top of the falls to the base of the second tier."

They also estimate that well over 200,00 visitors stop by the trail each year. Unfortunately, there are some instances where these visitors find themselves in dangerous situation.

Hiker Ends Up Off Trail on Dangerous Kaaterskill Terrain

According to a press release from the Department of Environmental Conservation a hiker at Kaaterskill Falls found themselves in one of those dangerous situations.

On May 11th, 2025 at 10:22 pm Forest Rangers were requested to assist a hiker who "suffered a significant leg injury" in n Kaaterskill Wild Forest.

At 1:24 am rescuers from Haines Falls Fire Department and Tannersville Rescue were able to reach the 26-year-old-hiker.

When Ranger Dawson found the hiker, they were "nearly 1,000 feet off trail on steep and slippery terrain."

DEC Makes Overnight Rescue in The Town of Hunter

At this point, Ranger Dawson determined that the safest way to get the hiker to safety was "with support from the New York State Police Aviation at first light."

Forest Rangers Fox and Peterson stayed with the hiker overnight, and kept them warm with a fire. Rangers also stablized the injury until help arrived.

On May 12th, 2025 at 7:29 am a NYSP helicopter made it to the scene.

The DEC reports "Rangers Fox, Franceschina, and Martin prepared the hiker on the ground and Ranger Cowart successfully hoisted the subject into the helicopter."

The subject was then flown to Albany Medical Center and the scene was cleared by 11:53 am.