North Approach for Vly/Bearpen?

[MattC]

This ones for Hermit, Mudhook or Mark S. I've always used the southern approach for these peaks-drive up 37 from Fleischmanns to Rt 3/Halcott Mt Rd, pull to the side of the road right before the signs and walk up to the hunting shack in the col.

So is the other side about the same? On my road map it looks like I would take 23 A north from Lexington, turn right on Rt 2 @ Mosquito Point, then pick up Rt 3 and drive to ?, park and walk up to the hunting shack from that side. Is this correct? Where does one park on that side?

Matt

[Rivet]

I've parked at the beginning of Ski Hill Rd and then walked up the road to Bear Pen from there.

[mudhook]

You got it right. I'm not sure about where to park on that side. Just past the last little house on the left is where I parked a few years back .I think there might be a logging operation going on. Its a public road all the way over, just stay out of the right of way and you should be all OK. If you continue on CR 2 you come to Ski Run Rd., which will take you to Bear Pen, but quite a hike to Vly and back from there. I think Ralph did it from the North recently. We will need a berry update when you get back.

[rockysummit]

I could be wrong, but I thought you could park on the right side. I was checking it out in the winter, I may have missed some other area on the other side covered in snow. Never did leave my car or start a hike from that side.

[Mark Schaefer]

I posted some directions to the north approach to Halcott Road here (http://viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showpost.php?p=125695&postcount=13). It has been a few years since I did that approach. I think I parked where Mudhook did.

I did the Ski Run Road approach just today to Bearpen and Roundtop (on the HH list). I should have a trip report up later. The blackberries were excellent and a bumper crop. I prefer the Ski Run approach as the berries are more abundant, and there were still a few raspberries along Ski Run Road (tangy and past prime). I met a few DEC surveyors near the top of the Ski Run Road. The state purchase of Roundtop has just completed and they are mapping the purchase. Lots of survey tape and markings around. The purchase includes the "Ben Dover" hunting club cabin at the top Ski Run Road. The name on the cabin has been removed. I guess the new landlord did not appreciate the humor. :rolleyes: The ridge road to Bearpen is behind the cabin, left fork, lots of mud wallows. There is an ATV track up to the summit of Roundtop. It begins opposite the front of the cabin. Avoid the roads on either side of the Roundtop ATV track, they will not take you to the summit.

[hermit]

Hi Matt,I parked in a area that the last house on the right made specifically for hikers.It's about 150' up the rd.from his house.There is a house on the left across the street that says beware of dogs on the phone pole.They seem to be seasonal dwellers.The logging operations should not interfere with your hike.The berries were ripe on Vly when I was up there 9-1.Watch for Bears in the wild cherry trees.I saw one at 3100 feet on the herd path to vly.You can see by the bark on the tree that he slid down.I will be taking some friends on their first bushwhack up Sherrill and North Dome tomorrow,introduction to nettles 101.Have fun and keep a camera handy,check for bear tracks in the mud on Bearpen,they are making their rounds .

[MattC]

Thanks for all the responses guys. I did head over there yesterday.

Hi Matt,I parked in a area that the last house on the right made specifically for hikers.It's about 150' up the rd.from his house.There is a house on the left across the street that says beware of dogs on the phone pole.They seem to be seasonal dwellers.The logging operations should not interfere with your hike.The berries were ripe on Vly when I was up there 9-1.Watch for Bears in the wild cherry trees.I saw one at 3100 feet on the herd path to vly.You can see by the bark on the tree that he slid down.I will be taking some friends on their first bushwhack up Sherrill and North Dome tomorrow,introduction to nettles 101.Have fun and keep a camera handy,check for bear tracks in the mud on Bearpen,they are making their rounds .

Ralph, I parked on the right across from the Beware of Dog phone pole, just like you said. No problem. Interesting approach with the logging and open areas. I believe it is definitely more of a climb to the col than from the other side, at least it felt that way.

It was a very short hike-I only managed to climb Vly. I had gotten a really late start and didn't get up there until after one. I got to the summit of Vly, had just enough time to sign in and then the sky exploded in rain, hail and thunder. I put on my shell and got out of there fast. The sun came back out again briefly, but it was once again pouring by the time I got to the hunting shack. I decided to bail since the weather was bad and I had a drive up to my dad's place in Troy ahead of me. I was up and down in two hours. Had a nice drive through the Schoharie Valley afterwards.

I didn't see the bear, but I did see it's scat, right around 3100', just like you mentioned. Right where the flat part ends at the base of the final climb up, the scat was right by the herd path. Kind of like a little cairn. :eek:

Matt

[mudhook]

That side is a little longer, but pleasantly different.
The storm Sat caught me on Doubletop signing the cannister, very close strikes, I ran due east instead of north down the mountain looking for a ledge to hide under. Made for a longer and much more interesting return trip. Never got to BI as planned.