Bearpen Mountain

"A solo romp of Bearpen and Vly from Johnson Hollow in 3-5” of snow from yesterday’s storm. Before heading up I met the landowner, nice fella from Poughkeepsie, who reminded me to wear plenty of red/orange and have a good hike. Broke out the route to BP where the ATVs didn’t go. The snow was softening with the warming temps but at least what in the trees and on low hanging limbs stayed put. On my way up Vly the ice and snow was dropping on me and rather annoying when it hit my glasses and bounced into my eyes. Fairly early I deviated from the usual herd path so I did wacky bushwhack until I eventually found the path again closer to the summit. On my descent I corrected my error so the next hiker will have a better shot to the canister. Back at the car I swapped dry clothes for the soaking wet ones before heading home. Low clouds on the summits so no views today." — Nimblefoot • Nov 25, 2019

"Easy day of hiking the two peaks for the month of October. Wanted to get Balsam also but had to get back home to pick up a CSA share, another late start spoils a plan. Overcast day but still quite warm so I felt over dressed by wearing long pants." — Nimblefoot • Oct 30, 2019

"Hiking Bearpen and Vly for the month of August using the usual trade routes from Johnson Hollow( Rt 3 ). Bumped into a few other hikers on both peaks while getting soaked by the high humidity in the thick air. Back to the car to change my costume and eat my lunch while relocating to the Willow trail PA off Jessup road. Pleasantly surprised there is no other car in the small lot in early afternoon I head up with lunch belly slowing me a bit in the addition to the increasing heat and humidity. At the tower I find a young couple with a little tyke in a diaper, another couple and the volunteer in a hammock all hanging out at the base. Quaff a tastey beverage while having a short respite then took the required selfie before heading back down. As I neared the PA I passed a couple with a dog heading up at 4:30, definitely fire tower enthusiasts as I saw Jack Freeman’s guide on there dashboard. Another fine day in the Cats." — Nimblefoot • Aug 17, 2019

"Hit the summits of Graham and Balsam Lake mts from Millbrook road then relocated to Johnson Hollow(Co Rt 3) to hike up Bearpen and Vly. Surprisingly I met very few other hikers on such a beautiful day." — Nimblefoot • Jul 13, 2019

"Tom and I were joined by our old friend Paul and a new friend Mary for a romp of Vly and Bearpen. We took advantage of the fine weather by hitting all the viewpoints on Bearpen, some of which were new for Paul. Tom and Mary went on to do Halcott in the afternoon while Paul and I had to pass do to other commitments." — Nimblefoot • Jun 12, 2019

"Out tagging Bearpen and Vly for the month of April. Everything looked a bit wintery with an inch or so of new fluff on the ground but the warming temps of spring quickly melted it off. Before heading over to Vly I went out to North Bearpen for a new County HP and Roundtop for a new Cat100 peak for me. A nice solo hike for a change of pace." — Nimblefoot • Apr 6, 2019

"Nine of us enjoyed a stroll to Vly and Bearpen from County Rt 3 on a lovely day of blue sky and sunshine. No wind and plenty of clear views from the summits and trails. A mix of bare boots and microspikes to the hunters cabin then all wore micros the remainder of the day." — Nimblefoot • Feb 17, 2019

"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

"Another so called untrailed peak, but really just a snowmobile trail to the top. Great views from the summit from several different vantage points. The remains of a lost ski area can also be seen. I believe the mountain used to serve as Princeton College's snowbowl." — billsussdorff • Nov 28, 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