June 20, 2012: Bearpen and Vly

jjp24 · 06-20-2012, 06:56 PM

I originally wanted to do these two peaks in the winter as a hike/xc ski combo. Unfortunately, there was never enough snow to fulfill this plan.

I started at the Heisinger Road trailhead because I wanted to get a fuller day of hiking in and because it seemed nicer than the CR 3 route. The route up the mountain was very wide and easy to follow. I made it to the open area on top in good time. It was a very hazy day, so the views from the top were somewhat obstructed. I wandered around the woods on top for five minutes to claim the highest point, and then started the trek over to Vly.

The trail down the ridge to Vly was very easy to follow, but the nettles are really encroaching upon the trail. I passed the hunting shack in the col and headed up the herd path to Vly. The path was easy to follow for the most part. I was pleasantly surprised, as I found this part very pleasant. Near the top, I was able to obtain some limited views by climbing trees. There were no views to be had anywhere from the ground level on Vly (at least that I could find.) After signing the canister, I headed back down to the col, and back over Bearpen to see if the views had improved.

Some of the haze subsided, and I could clearly make out the Spruceton valley, as wrll as Rusk, Hunter, and Plateau mountains. As I was descending, I ran into some men who drove up in trucks and a ranger who appeared to be doing some sort of work.

I had been putting these two mountains off for a while because they seemed a bit dull, and because the route to Bearpen was basically following old roads. However, I ended up really enjoying both mountains (except the nettles.) Photos are on my flickr page.

Woolybear · 06-20-2012, 07:05 PM

Maybe this coming winter you'll have enough snow

.
There is a limit view off of a rock on Vly if you head south of the canister for 100 to 200 ft (give or take).

ScAtTeRbOnE · 06-20-2012, 11:27 PM

Nice report, and I'm amazed you didn't mention the heat, it was a scorcher out there today.

jjp24 · 06-21-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woolybear

There is a limit view off of a rock on Vly if you head south of the canister for 100 to 200 ft (give or take).

Thanks, I'll have to keep this in mind for next time.

I got out early and was back a little after 12, so I beat the worst of the heat.

Maria · 06-21-2012, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjp24

I originally wanted to do these two peaks in the winter as a hike/xc ski combo. Unfortunately, there was never enough snow to fulfill this plan.

That was a plan of mine this winter too....hope the snow gods are kinder next year. There is also a traverse from the west that makes the skiing portion even longer.

jjp24 · 06-21-2012, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maria

That was a plan of mine this winter too....hope the snow gods are kinder next year. There is also a traverse from the west that makes the skiing portion even longer.

I thought about descending that way down to Ski Run Road to check it out, but with the heat I decided to go back down the short way to Heisinger Rd.

Jay H · 06-21-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjp24

I thought about descending that way down to Ski Run Road to check it out, but with the heat I decided to go back down the short way to Heisinger Rd.

There's probably no snow on Ski Run Road right now anyway.

mudhook · 06-21-2012, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay H

There's probably no snow on Ski Run Road right now anyway.

Then why is it ski run road? water skiing perhaps?

The good ski starts farther west by Old Clump.

With the somewhat new snowmoble trail cut in from the col it should be possible to ski to Hunter and points east.

Mike S · 06-21-2012, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjp24

I originally wanted to do these two peaks in the winter as a hike/xc ski combo. Unfortunately, there was never enough snow to fulfill this plan.

Not true, you just had to hit it right. I skied bearpen on Jan 21 and wished I had my skis when I did the pair on Feb 19, but it was never like the conditions we had the previous winter that's for sure.

Maria · 06-21-2012, 11:18 PM

Ok, this is like talking about food to a starving man. Dreaming of snow with the temps in the 90s!

Mike S · 06-23-2012, 03:52 PM

06-20-2012, 06:56 PM	#1
jjp24 Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 42	June 20, 2012: Bearpen and Vly I originally wanted to do these two peaks in the winter as a hike/xc ski combo. Unfortunately, there was never enough snow to fulfill this plan. I started at the Heisinger Road trailhead because I wanted to get a fuller day of hiking in and because it seemed nicer than the CR 3 route. The route up the mountain was very wide and easy to follow. I made it to the open area on top in good time. It was a very hazy day, so the views from the top were somewhat obstructed. I wandered around the woods on top for five minutes to claim the highest point, and then started the trek over to Vly. The trail down the ridge to Vly was very easy to follow, but the nettles are really encroaching upon the trail. I passed the hunting shack in the col and headed up the herd path to Vly. The path was easy to follow for the most part. I was pleasantly surprised, as I found this part very pleasant. Near the top, I was able to obtain some limited views by climbing trees. There were no views to be had anywhere from the ground level on Vly (at least that I could find.) After signing the canister, I headed back down to the col, and back over Bearpen to see if the views had improved. Some of the haze subsided, and I could clearly make out the Spruceton valley, as wrll as Rusk, Hunter, and Plateau mountains. As I was descending, I ran into some men who drove up in trucks and a ranger who appeared to be doing some sort of work. I had been putting these two mountains off for a while because they seemed a bit dull, and because the route to Bearpen was basically following old roads. However, I ended up really enjoying both mountains (except the nettles.) Photos are on my flickr page. __________________ http://www.flickr.com/photos/jjp24hockey/

06-20-2012, 07:05 PM	#2
Woolybear Harbinger of winter Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: southeast of albany Posts: 763	Maybe this coming winter you'll have enough snow . There is a limit view off of a rock on Vly if you head south of the canister for 100 to 200 ft (give or take). __________________ "Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever" Napoleon Bonaparte Catskill 3500 #1824/#729W ADK 26/46 Views & Brews NY, VT, RI, DE, NH, NJ, CT, WV Taconic Crest End to Ender

06-20-2012, 11:27 PM	#3
ScAtTeRbOnE Balsam Sniffer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Victory Mills, NY Posts: 655	Nice report, and I'm amazed you didn't mention the heat, it was a scorcher out there today. __________________ ADK 46/46 4W CATS 39/39 8W ADK100 63/102 VT35 26/29 FT's 25/29 VT FT's 9/15 "We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us. Our flesh and bone tabernacle seems transparent as glass to the beauty about us, as if truly an inseparable part of it, thrilling with the air and trees, streams and rocks, in the waves of the sun, a part of all nature, neither old nor young, sick nor well, but immortal." John Muir from My First Summer in The Sierra

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06-21-2012, 11:18 PM	#10
Maria Out on the Jay Range Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Irvington, NY Posts: 808	Ok, this is like talking about food to a starving man. Dreaming of snow with the temps in the 90s!

06-23-2012, 03:52 PM	#11
Mike S ski season Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New Paltz Posts: 442

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