Pennsy
New member
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2004
- Messages
- 53
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Friday after work, I headed up to the Catskills and the Devil's Tombstone Campground, where I would spend Fri and Sat nights. I chatted with Gerry the ranger/caretaker for a while, and spent a few hours relaxing and reading by the fire. I was alone, but there were plenty of bugs to keep me company, so I didn't mind the heat coming from the fire.
Saturday morning, I was up early and headed towards Mosquito Point to do Bearpen. Last month I hiked Vly from Halcott Mt Rd with the intention of doing Bearpen as well, but a fast coming t-storm changed that plan. For this hike, I decided to start from the old Ski Run Rd on rt 2. For a "trailless" hike, this was about as easy as it gets. The first 4 miles follows a woods road and with only about 1600' of elevation gain, it was a nice stroll in the woods. It was supposed to be a scorcher, but the trail was mostly shaded, and combined with an early start, it was a comfortable hike.
Around 2.5 miles, I approached an intersection and a hunting cabin. I don't recall reading anything about a cabin, so I quickly got out my guide book. Hmmmm, no mention of a cabin, but they mention an intersection where I should swing to the left. A quick compass check told me that left was the correction direction, but I had some doubts if I was on the right path. Thankfully, 30 minutes later I emerged from the woods to the lookout where the old ski area used to be. I checked out the hazy views towards Hunter, and headed up into the forest to seek the summit. I never found a canister, but I think I read that there isn't one on Bearpen? Anyway, I took enough side trails and wandering around so I'm 99.9999% sure I was on the summit at one point.
It was a quick hike back down to the car, and I started to think about Kaaterskill. Woohoo, 34 down and only ONE to go!
I took a break and started driving towards Platte Clove. Starting from Platte Clove on the Long Path/snowmobile trail, the first 3 miles reminded me very much of the morning hike to Bearpen. For 3.5 miles or so to where the 2 trails split, it was a moderate 1100' climb. Again, a nice stroll in the woods.
The herd path that leaves the snowmobile trail for the final push to the summit was marked with a small cairn, well defined and easy to see. The path to the summit was easy to follow, but definately steeper than what I had been doing all day. The weather man was unfortunately right for once, and it was a real scorcher at that point. I was relieved to finally hit the summit because I was wearing down fast. I was pooped but quite excited that this was my 35th peak. The summit is wooded, and I thought about heading down the other side where there's supposed to be views, and than looping around the snowmobile trail. But I was low on water and energy, and I wanted the day to be a celebration, not a death march. Soooo, I did a quick victory dance and went back the same way, smiling all the way back to my car cheerfully greeting the other hikers I saw on the way.
When I got back to camp, I cleaned up and thought about dinner. It was hot, buggy, and I was tired, so I climbed in the car, drove to Phoenicia and had a nice dinner (and some Sam Adams) at Ricciardellas. It was a nice way to end a nice day.
Catskills down.... Whites next, with Carrigan planned as number 48 on July 16.
Saturday morning, I was up early and headed towards Mosquito Point to do Bearpen. Last month I hiked Vly from Halcott Mt Rd with the intention of doing Bearpen as well, but a fast coming t-storm changed that plan. For this hike, I decided to start from the old Ski Run Rd on rt 2. For a "trailless" hike, this was about as easy as it gets. The first 4 miles follows a woods road and with only about 1600' of elevation gain, it was a nice stroll in the woods. It was supposed to be a scorcher, but the trail was mostly shaded, and combined with an early start, it was a comfortable hike.
Around 2.5 miles, I approached an intersection and a hunting cabin. I don't recall reading anything about a cabin, so I quickly got out my guide book. Hmmmm, no mention of a cabin, but they mention an intersection where I should swing to the left. A quick compass check told me that left was the correction direction, but I had some doubts if I was on the right path. Thankfully, 30 minutes later I emerged from the woods to the lookout where the old ski area used to be. I checked out the hazy views towards Hunter, and headed up into the forest to seek the summit. I never found a canister, but I think I read that there isn't one on Bearpen? Anyway, I took enough side trails and wandering around so I'm 99.9999% sure I was on the summit at one point.
It was a quick hike back down to the car, and I started to think about Kaaterskill. Woohoo, 34 down and only ONE to go!
I took a break and started driving towards Platte Clove. Starting from Platte Clove on the Long Path/snowmobile trail, the first 3 miles reminded me very much of the morning hike to Bearpen. For 3.5 miles or so to where the 2 trails split, it was a moderate 1100' climb. Again, a nice stroll in the woods.
The herd path that leaves the snowmobile trail for the final push to the summit was marked with a small cairn, well defined and easy to see. The path to the summit was easy to follow, but definately steeper than what I had been doing all day. The weather man was unfortunately right for once, and it was a real scorcher at that point. I was relieved to finally hit the summit because I was wearing down fast. I was pooped but quite excited that this was my 35th peak. The summit is wooded, and I thought about heading down the other side where there's supposed to be views, and than looping around the snowmobile trail. But I was low on water and energy, and I wanted the day to be a celebration, not a death march. Soooo, I did a quick victory dance and went back the same way, smiling all the way back to my car cheerfully greeting the other hikers I saw on the way.
When I got back to camp, I cleaned up and thought about dinner. It was hot, buggy, and I was tired, so I climbed in the car, drove to Phoenicia and had a nice dinner (and some Sam Adams) at Ricciardellas. It was a nice way to end a nice day.
Catskills down.... Whites next, with Carrigan planned as number 48 on July 16.
