Fall Foliage in the Catskills: Leaf Peeping with the Locals
Key Takeaways
- Kaatscast and Cidiot team up to explore fall foliage on both sides of the Hudson, with this episode focusing entirely on the west side of the Catskills.
- Environmental scientist Matt Savatgy explains the science behind chlorophyll, tree dormancy, and how weather conditions like drought and a wet August impact autumn leaf colors.
- Local residents and experts share their favorite spots for viewing fall foliage in the catskills, including North Lake, Ashokan Quarry Trail, Overlook Mountain, and Kaaterskill High Peak.
- Painter Christie Scheele discusses why autumn is actually the season she paints the least, while photographer Casey Kelbaugh offers tips on capturing foliage in overcast light.
- Community members like Milton O'Connell, Ed Ullmann, and Samantha Awand-Gortel provide local insights on seasonal hikes, wellness tips, and preparing finances for the winter months ahead.
As the leaves change, Kaatscast and Cidiot join up to look at fall foliage on both sides of the Hudson. Cidiot's episode covers the science of leaf color with Cary Institute scientist Dr. Amy Zanne. This one covers the west side: an environmental educator explains why leaves change color, and five more Catskills residents describe how they spend the season and where they go to see it.
In this episode
- 00:00 Introduction, with a reading of "Poème d'Automne" by Langston Hughes
The autumn leaves
Are too heavy with color.
The slender trees
On the Vulcan Road
Are dressed in scarlet and gold
Like young courtesans
Waiting for their lovers.
But soon
The winter winds
Will strip their bodies bare
And then
The sharp, sleet-stung
Caresses of cold
Will be their only
Love.
- 01:33 Matt Savatgy, environmental scientist in residence in the Onteora School District (Cornell Cooperative Extension / Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program), on chlorophyll, why trees go dormant, how drought and a wet August affect color, and why the Northeast shares its foliage with places at similar latitudes like South Korea. Favorite spots: the escarpment at North Lake, Ashokan Quarry Trail, Giant Ledge, Overlook Mountain.
- 11:57 Milton O'Connell of the Bruderhof community in Platte Clove on fall hikes (Kaaterskill High Peak, Indian Head, Plattekill Mountain, Dibble's Quarry) and the community's fall festival.
- 15:41 Painter Christie Scheele on why fall is the season she paints least, what she looks for in late-fall oaks, and driving Route 28 west.
- 21:24 Photographer Casey Kelbaugh on shooting foliage in overcast light, iPhone settings, and a one-way hike through Diamond Notch to the West Kill brewery.
- 28:10 Ed Ullmanm of Wellness Rx in Phoenicia on fall as a season of reflection, plus his advice on flu shots, COVID boosters and immune support.
- 33:05 Samantha Awand-Gortel, manager of Ulster Savings Bank's Phoenicia branch, on preparing finances for winter costs and her favorite views, including the Belleayre and Hunter Mountain Oktoberfests.
- 35:42 Closing and how to send in your own fall favorites
Event: The Bruderhof fall festival in Platte Clove is Saturday, October 3, 2026, 2:00–5:00 PM, open to the public (hayrides, pumpkin carving, cider making).
Links
- Cidiot podcast, East of Hudson fall guide with Dr. Amy Zanne: https://www.cidiot.com/
- Bruderhof: A Christian Community in the Platte Clove: https://www.kaatscast.com/bruderhof-a-christian-community-in-the-platte-clove/
- Christie Scheele's Kaatscast episode: https://www.kaatscast.com/catskills-artist-christie-scheele/
- ... and the Drive 28 Arts & Culture audio tour: https://drive28.com/
- Walking the Long Path from Manhattan to the Catskills (Casey Kelbaugh): https://www.kaatscast.com/walking-the-long-path-from-manhattan-to-the-catskills/
- Wellness Rx: A Prescription for Rural Healthcare: https://www.kaatscast.com/wellness-rx-a-prescription-for-rural-healthcare/
- Samantha Awand-Gortel's 2023 financial literacy episode: https://www.kaatscast.com/financial-literacy-at-ulster-savings-bank/
- Share your fall favorites: kaatscast.com (contact page or Send a Voicemail): https://www.kaatscast.com/contact/
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes fall foliage in the catskills to change color?
As daylight shortens and temperatures drop, trees break down chlorophyll, revealing underlying yellow and orange pigments while producing new red and purple anthocyanin pigments.
Where are the best places to see fall foliage in the catskills?
Popular spots recommended by locals include the escarpment at North Lake, Ashokan Quarry Trail, Giant Ledge, Overlook Mountain, and scenic drives along Route 28.
When is the Bruderhof fall festival in Platte Clove?
The annual community fall festival takes place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, featuring public hayrides, pumpkin carving, and cider making.
