3.7 miles | 659 ft gain | Difficulty: Easy | Rating ★★★★

I have trouble understanding where the Hudson Valley ends and the Catskills begin. Staying in New Paltz for the weekend, we wanted to get in one last waterfall before heading home. We decided to head to Vernooy Falls, a moderately easy hike recommended in one of my hiking groups. Just 15 miles away but apparently we were now in the Catskills.

• 

• 

The lot was far down a residential street bI had my doubts as some mentioned difficulty without a 4WD but we experienced nothing of that. The turn off was wide and offered ample parking both when we arrived at 11am and left a few hours later.

A little less than 2 mile walk to the falls, first along a wide dirt path, then gradually climbing through the woods. We hit a few muddy patches, and one that felt like a stream bed, but thus is to be expected during spring mud season. There was nothing remarkable about the trail itself, just a simple stroll through the forest.

• 

• 

Once at the falls, we were treated to fantastic cascades both above and below the bridge that merged with other trails. Below the bridge was some open rock face for us to have an early lunch and take in the last moments of our short escape. The excursion with breaks only took about 2 hours and was a nice way to spend the morning, then have an afternoon to relax.

•