Vly Mountain

"A solid lazy “alpine start” of 10 am from Johnson Hollow to visit Bearpen with the longer gentler ascent then over to Vly with the shorter punchier climb. Ran into Erica from Delhi descending Bearpen with her two small but energetic dogs. A short chat to learn about her and her husband’s distillery business and other ventures. Over on Vly didn’t see a soul. Quick lunch at the car then headed up to Spruceton road for a quick romp up to West Kill where it was another ghost town." — Nimblefoot • Jun 30, 2022

"Getting BP, Vly and KHP for the month of May of my 4th grid. BP and Vly in the AM where I didn’t see a soul then relocated over to Platte Clove road to do KHP in the afternoon. As expected I met other hikers doing either KHP or Huckleberry Point though they were heading out while I was just heading in. Nice day in the Cats with comfortable temps do to cloud cover causing the sun to play hide and seek and no annoying bugs flying around my head." — Nimblefoot • May 25, 2022

"It’s been a mountain draught for me with busy life happenings this year, but today two more Catskill 3500 peaks are complete bringing me to 27/37. For a challenge I never had intentions to do, here I aim to be done by this year end. Another solo trip (of course) and (again) the drive time to and from was longer than the actual hike. It was a beautiful morning and I also stumbled across a new covered bridge I had yet visit on my way and now making that 73 different covered bridges I’ve seen. " — scottturner • May 14, 2022

"T-boned the Blackhead range from Big Hollow road then headed over to Rt 3 out of Fleishmans to T-bone BP and Vly. The Blackhead range was hopping with numerous hikers, particularly on my way down, as expected with the PA overflowing then over in Johnson Hollow it was a ghost town only seeing one couple hiking and two older gents picking apples near the PA." — Nimblefoot • Aug 14, 2021

"The rain has stopped and the sun is shining so it’s time for a solo romp of Bearpen and Vly then a stroll up to the views on WHP to finish the day. I crossed paths with a 3500 Club hike led by Marv between BP and Vly. Short chat with two guys staying at the hunters cabin, they bemoaned the recent wet weather and were ready to leave for home." — Nimblefoot • May 6, 2021

"Joined Mimi for a casual saunter up to the canister on Vly then up to the views off of Bearpen in the AM. Mimi enjoyed seeing the bountiful patches of ramps and blooming wildflowers along the road leaving the hunters cabin heading towards BP. In the PM she headed to do Balsam Lake mountain while headed to Peck road for a nice stroll up to Windham HP for another wonderful view to the north. WHP completed my 43rd round of the Cat35." — Nimblefoot • Apr 20, 2021

"A pleasant hike of Vly and Bearpen after bumping into Jim the Can Man, Margaret and Bill in the Johnson Hollow. Storm clouds came in but still got some views. Learned more interesting facts/stories about the local characters from the Can Man, always a treat. Everyone informed me that there is no canister on BP....oh my!" — Nimblefoot • Jan 15, 2021

"Back to the Cats after 2+ months away. Two peaks yesterday, went well, so decided to double it for today. Overcast sky dropping sprinkles on and off from late AM to early PM then later got some patches of blue and sunshine followed by a good breeze. Encountered the most folks on Panther/Giant Ledge, no big surprise especially when the PA was full so I had to park up the road. " — Nimblefoot • Jun 2, 2020

"Out with three ladies, Anna, Mimi and Christy, doing a leisurely hike of Vly and Bearpen. Started off with spikes then switched to snowshoes on the climb up Vly then kept them on for Bearpen just for ease of travel and to be able to play outside the beaten track. Met up with the spunky 5 yr old Luna and her dad Jason on both peaks. Nice sunny blue sky day with a good breeze that kept us from dawdling too much." — Nimblefoot • Mar 1, 2020

"Beautiful day to bag a few peaks early in the morning. Microspikes the whole way maybe could've used snowshoes near the summit of Vly. Kept a pretty good pace the whole way. Knocked without in 3.5 hours. " — LGH-Topple • Jan 8, 2020