Tom Rankin
Well-known member
On our way up Bearpen (in the Catskills) Saturday, we encountered a few ATV tracks. Nothing surprising there, but after a while, we saw the ATVs, which is rare. The really surprising thing is that they were parked next to an informal sign that had a permit number and a notice saying that 'xxx snowmobile club' was cutting a trail. We chatted with the workers and confirmed later with a Ranger that this is 100% legit, and that they plan to take the trail all the way to the summit. For those familiar with the lay of the land, the trail goes off the old road where most people follow a network of herd paths, making a shortcut back to the road that leads to the summit. We did not follow the new trail all the way back to the road as it was bearing too for to the South for our tastes, but I was told that in fact the new trail hits the road by one of the workers.
When this trail is complete, I would say that Bear pen will then be a 'trailed' peak. Of course, it has not been a bushwhack by most people's standards for quite some time.
Besides that, the day was a normal Bearpen hike, with a few brambles and mud bogs to contend with. Views to the North, West and South were good. The Gilboa reservoir looks VERY low.
We scooted over to Vly afterwards, and met Melissa, Tom, and her 'famous' dog, Simba!
We noticed that Corey had recently ascended in 0:36 from the lower parking lot, pretty impressive! We got back down in 0:50, how's that?
When this trail is complete, I would say that Bear pen will then be a 'trailed' peak. Of course, it has not been a bushwhack by most people's standards for quite some time.
Besides that, the day was a normal Bearpen hike, with a few brambles and mud bogs to contend with. Views to the North, West and South were good. The Gilboa reservoir looks VERY low.
We scooted over to Vly afterwards, and met Melissa, Tom, and her 'famous' dog, Simba!
We noticed that Corey had recently ascended in 0:36 from the lower parking lot, pretty impressive! We got back down in 0:50, how's that?