Bearpen Mountain

"Six of us visited Halcott for breakfast then we were down to five for a hike of Vly and a Bearpen. Numerous cars at the PA with one, a minivan, practically blocking the road to the cabin and preventing a plow truck from getting to the turnaround lot. That should not be happening. Only encountered one female hiker, the others got back to the PA while we were on Vly. Used spikes from the cabin up and back. Enjoyed the view north to Hunterfield mountain and other peaks in the range." — Nimblefoot • Dec 30, 2018

"I wanted to take care of the 2 Catskill peaks that were outside of the park. After doing a bunch of research, I found the place to park. It was a road walk up to the col, then a defined herd path to the summit of Vly and to its canister. I then came down Vly and followed a couple of roads along with a herd path in between to the summit of Bearpen. There were a couple of views near the summit. I discovered a faint herd path leading to a small pile or rocks which was the true summit on this level mountain. " — newenglandwarrior • Aug 29, 2018

"Our third peak of the day after Balsam Lake and Vly mountains. Early in our ascent we met up with friends Miyon and Alex and discuss the delivery of ice cream treats to the summit of Slide mountain for our grid finishes on Sunday the 8th. We continued to the summit then promptly descend back to the car to enjoy some fluids other than water and electrolyte beverages with our lunch. Time to relocate to the hairpin curve on Rt 47 for a hike up Panther." — Nimblefoot • Jul 5, 2018

"Ed, Steve and I met in Johnson Hollow to tag Vly and Bearpen in the AM then relocate the cars to Deep Notch on Rt 42 to climb little Hawk-it in the PM. Fortunately BP was free of snow until we wandered out to the far viewpoint, to get a view west toward Plattekill ski area, after crossing the summit. On our descent we kept hearing gunshots coming from the direction of the hunters cabin. Once down there we found three guys cleaning and prepping their weapons for pheasant hunting. Talking to them we learned the history of the cabin , where they were from and that they enjoyed interacting with hikers. " — Nimblefoot • May 2, 2018

"Today Laura, Steve and I were joined by Laura’s dog Lily for a stomp up Vly and Bearpen. Still wearing the snowshoes for traction on the packed track and for going off trail when it was necessary to avoid the numerous frozen holes left by ignorant bare booters. Steady light rain falling when we returned to our cars so we decided to leave Panther for another day. Head back home and find spring again with warmer temps. and flowers blooming." — Nimblefoot • Apr 3, 2018

"Getting Vly, Bearpen and Halcott mountains for Ed on a beautiful sunny day that starts out cold and warms up nicely. Bearpen is less of a problem with ice as the slopes are less steep and the road is more rocky thus providing more grip with the slip. On top the snow is beginning to accumulate again but not enough for snowshoes. Back down at the hunters cabin we chat with Yanna and Mariana who we met on our descent of Vly. " — Nimblefoot • Feb 3, 2018

"Visiting the summits of Bearpen, Vly and Balsam for my 15th round. On my way up the road to the hunters cabin I surprised a juvenile black bear attempting to cross the road. We stared at each other for a few seconds then I waved hello to it. It took off back into the woods before I had a chance to holler...hey Yogi! Sometimes the locals aren’t so friendly or social. Near the summit I ran into two guys coming out of the woods claiming they had trouble finding the canister. They weren’t anywheres near the actual summit and besides Bearpen doesn’t have a canister, very mysterious. Hit the summit then promptly headed toward Vly." — Nimblefoot • Nov 29, 2017

"Out on a solo hike visiting the summits of Bearpen, Vly and Eagle for the month. Met up with two guys just beyond the hunters cabin heading for Bearpen. Turned out they wanted Vly so I told them to head back to the cabin and take the blue-blazed path on the other side of the road. I took quick peek at the views then headed back to the cabin hoping to see the other two returning from Vly." — Nimblefoot • Aug 24, 2017

"Laura and her dog Lily joined Steve and I for a quick romp of Vly and Bearpen mountains. We checked out all the views north and west before heading back. After our extended rehydration period Laura and Lily headed home for lunch and a nap while Steve and I headed to the ever popular Halcott( "Hawk-it") mountain to finish our day." — Nimblefoot • Jun 29, 2017

"Visiting the summits of Windham High Peak, Vly and Bearpen. In the col we encountered some snowmobiles as we headed for Bearpen after signing into the canister on Vly. Met up with more sno-mos near the summit and heard more as we took a quick lunch break." — Nimblefoot • Feb 5, 2017

"Hiking Vly, Bearpen and Panther mtns to finish out the month of July and the Catskill Grid. Today I was joined by wife Sharon and hiking buddies Steve and Connie. Very warm and humid conditions. We led a group of four, who failed to find the route, to the summit." — Nimblefoot • Jul 12, 2015

"Steve and I hiked Vly, Bearpen and Halcott to close out the month of June. We met two guys near the summit of Bearpen doing the two peaks for the first time. Roads/snowmobile trails had numerous water hazards do to recent rain events." — Nimblefoot • Jun 10, 2015

"Steve and I helped with litter p/u on rt 214 with the Club, enjoyed some liquid libations & sustenance afterwards, then headed up to CR 3 to hit Vly and Bearpen for our May grid. #408 of 420." — Nimblefoot • May 3, 2015

"Hiking Bearpen and Vly to close in on finishing round #7 for 3-season. Leaves were falling, the wind was blowing and the sky shifted from bright blue to angry clouds then back to blue & sunny. " — Nimblefoot • Oct 6, 2014

"After hitting Sugarloaf and Plateau I decided to finish the day on BP and Vly. Almost walked right up to a young bear cub, along the edge of the road, on my way up to the hunters shack. First I looked for its mother, didn't want to get between the two,then I clapped my hands. The cub scooted about 15 feet then turned to look at me, I waved and said howdy then we both went our separate ways." — Nimblefoot • Aug 11, 2014

"After signing into the canister on Vly mtn. and locating the benchmark again under the leaves we headed back down to the hunters cabin. We wandered up the snowmobile trails to Bearpens numerous viewpoints. The colors are basically gone but it's still nice to take in the sights on a clear day." — Nimblefoot • Oct 26, 2013

"We took the snowmobile trail from route 3. There were many snowmobile trails and unmarked trails. We ended up not taking the planned route....it was confusing. We had to bushwhack the very end. On the return trip, we did a little better, but still not our planned route." — trekkerdog • Apr 6, 2012

"We took the snowmobile trails from County Route 3 after doing nearby Vly Mt. We got a little confused near the top and ended up bushwhacking the last few hundred yards. Later we discovered we should've stayed on the original trail." — bhouston21 • Aug 17, 2011