Hudson Valley First Responders Issue Hiking Warning as Fall Foliage Peaks

Peak Fall Foliage Beings Across the Hudson Valley

The leaves have started to change and the beautiful foliage is blanketing the Hudson Valley, which means more people are heading out to experience it.

READ MORE: Hudson Valley Peak Fall Foliage: When Will it Happen?

For some that's a dangerous task, depending on which way you choose to view said foliage.

Are you hitting the hiking trails this fall? If so, use precaution.

Cold Spring Fire Company Rescues Injured Hiker

The Cold Spring Fire Company took to social media this week to share information detailing a rescue over the weekend.

According to the post on October 10th, 2026, at around 2:52 pm they were dispatched to "an injured hiker on the undercliff trail."

With help from North Highlands Fire Department, New York State Parks staff, and Phillipstown Ambulance Corp they were able to enter "the woods in Nelsonville to connect to the undercliff trail."

The statement goes on to explain how they made the rescue, which involved ATVs. The Cold Spring Fire Company writes:

 We drove our ATV (13-8-2) as far up the trail as we could before hiking the rest of the way to the patient. Rescuers packaged the patient in a stokes basket and walked out of the woods onto a property on half moon ridge.

When all was said and done, Cold Spring Fire Company was back in service by 4L15 pm.

Local First Responders Warn of Hiking Dangers in the Hudson Valley

While everything turned out okay this time around, the Cold Spring Fire Company shared a warning to future hikers.

In the social media statement they say this year is "turning out to be a busy hiking season so far."

They continue:

so we are once again urging the public to use caution and come prepared when using these trails.

The Cold Spring Fire Company says "the more prepared and planned out your trip is the less likely you will need us to come rescue you."

Mountain rescues are very time consuming incidents that at times require a large amount of resources.

Take a look at some helpful hiking tips for the next time you his the trails in the Hudson Valley:

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