Ashokan High Point

billandjudy · 07-17-2006, 06:10 PM

This hike started on Saturday night about 11;30 PM--Me at work
Judy calls--"Sweetie, my Mom wants to take the kids to 6 Flags tomorrow"
Me--Great, tell them to have fun

Judy--I thought we should go w/ them
Me--What??!!

I thought we were doing Rocky tomorrow??
Me--(Thinking) Father of the Bride wants Overtime--ETA Home 3:00 AM--Sleep, 3 Hours--Hmmm
Judy---I'll make it up to you

Me--

OK
Anyway I digress--Decided to go solo and do Ashokan HP, a repeat from just about a year ago---It was hot, hot, hotter today. Left the TH at 9:30 and just kept walkin--stopped alot to cool down--drank lots of water--made it to the top--Got some nice shots at the summit and just beyond--started the loop down and put on the cruise control--dunked my head in the Kanape Brook--got back to the car at 2:00 (4-1/2 hrs)--9.4 miles 2360 vertical-done deal. Now to collect my "make up"

pics http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=cORDEI

rockysummit · 07-20-2006, 07:02 AM

Great hike, one of my favorites! Wondering about any signs of bears, I've seen them a few times up there. A couple summers ago I was resting and having lunch in the open meadow when after about 20 minutes a bear stood up from the low brush on his hind legs, about 60 feet from me, took a look and then took off. He must have been sleeping there the whole time and neither of us was aware of each others presence!...Pretty cool.

billandjudy · 07-20-2006, 04:56 PM

I didn't see any signs but there were a couple mentions in the Trail Register about an aggressive bear and a note from the Ranger saying to "hang your food"
It is a nice hike--just a tad rocky coming back around the loop as it follows the dry stream bed. Lots of blueberries up top make it bear heaven.
I took a pic of Hunter Mt's Trail Register on Tues.--it has an interesting entry form a group who encountered an aggressive bear

Mark Schaefer · 07-21-2006, 01:31 AM

Bill, were there notes about aggressive bears in the trail registers at both the Ashokan High Point and Spruceton trails?

I have seen 4 bears over the years on Ashokan HP and one more on Mombaccus. It is definitely bear territory with the blueberries, acorns, beechnuts, and the grassy areas. Bears eat a lot of grass and just about any tender young growth. The largest was a 300 lb male bear in the col between AHP and Little AHP (the eastern knob). There is an open meadow with prime blueberry and huckleberry patches on the knob.

There have been many reports of problem bears near small towns in the Catskills, but I have heard of only one before in the Catskill back-country. But it is bound to happen sooner or later, and the normal precautions are necessary when camping. I have seen over 20 bears while hiking the Catskills in the last two years. It is always a treat. Normally they turn tail and scamper away. Occasionally they hang around a bit, but I have never seen any kind of threatening or aggressive behavior.

The only bad Catskill bear/hiker story I ever heard was of a problem bear that set up residency in Becker Hollow during one season in the late 1990s. The DEC admitted he was a problem Adirondack bear that had been captured, undergone rehab with a human, and was later released in Becker Hollow. Because of his prior human contact he would approach hikers in a playful yet annoying manner. He ended up scratching a couple of hikers. Because the bear could not be caught for testing, the hikers were about to undergo rabies shots. That was just before the start of hunting season. Predictably the bear was soon shot by a hunter. Fortunately the bear was not rabid, but it was a bad ending for the bear. Since that time I have not heard of any Catskill hikers being harmed by a bear. I have also seen two bears in recent years in Becker Hollow, both of who were the normal shy Catskill bears.

billandjudy · 07-21-2006, 07:34 AM

Hey Mark---Yes both Trail Registers had notes written about bear contact. I took a picture http://community.webshots.com/photo/...82736937QpNeqZ
of the Hunter Register.
It was a little strange to see bear warnings 2 days in a row.

Rik · 07-21-2006, 08:50 AM

I saw lots of bear signs when I climbed Ashokan last year. Tons of scat, some of which looked pretty fresh. That blueberry patch that Mark mentions on the knob looked like prime territory. We almost expected to see one but didn't.

rockysummit · 07-21-2006, 10:13 AM

I believe it was last summer that I read on the other site about a bear following some hikers for more than a mile on the Hunter Mtn. trail from Becker Hollow. I found it odd, as I too have run into quite a few bears in the Catskills and never felt threatened.

rockysummit · 07-21-2006, 12:39 PM

Hey Ralph, I was in the Seager area Saturday but didn't see any(bummer). Saw some tracks between Eagle and Big Indian but that was it. Can you post some pics when you get them done?
-Tony

billandjudy · 07-21-2006, 02:54 PM

Ralph--Are you still planning on the Devil's Path in August--Judy and I had tentative plans on a 2 day traverse of either the DP or Escarpment on the 19th and 20th.

mudhook · 07-21-2006, 05:33 PM

There have been very few reports of problem bears this year in the Cats. I think there is plenty of food to be had naturally (catapillars?) If you are afraid of bears hike with me and you won't see any, although my wife sees them quite often around the house while I'm hiking .
There is an article and picture in the Catskill Mt. News about a rattlesnake being found near Huckleberry Brk off the Dry Brook Ridge, making 2 this month. Seems they are slowly moving into the area.

MattC · 07-27-2006, 02:04 PM

I scampered up and down High Point Sunday evening. No bears, and I gotta say, I was disappointed with the blueberries. Seemed pretty scant this year. I don't know if it's still too early, or if they've already been picked over. Anyway, still a nice hike as always. I just went up and back in about 3 and 1/2 hours, didn't do the loop or go out to the sub-peak. Hiked and talked for much of the way w/ a college-age kid from Kingston named Dan who was wearing a big pack, training for a Devil's Path backpack in a few weeks. After the hike I stopped by the south side of the reservoir and walked out on the dam a little ways. The water was real quiet that evening, unlike the chop I saw out there a couple months ago. Always a beautiful place to visit.

Matt

billandjudy · 07-27-2006, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattC

I was disappointed with the blueberries. Seemed pretty scant this year.
Matt

I've noticed a scarcity of blueberries on a number of hikes this year. Even early in the season immature berries were scarce.

Dick · 07-30-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billandjudy

I didn't see any signs but there were a couple mentions in the Trail Register about an aggressive bear and a note from the Ranger saying to "hang your food"
It is a nice hike--just a tad rocky coming back around the loop as it follows the dry stream bed. Lots of blueberries up top make it bear heaven.
I took a pic of Hunter Mt's Trail Register on Tues.--it has an interesting entry form a group who encountered an aggressive bear

We were just there, and saw that the ranger's note, which was dated sometime in June.

Dick

Dick · 07-30-2006, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattC

I scampered up and down High Point Sunday evening. No bears, and I gotta say, I was disappointed with the blueberries. Seemed pretty scant this year.
Matt

They appear to have come and gone, as we noticed only one solitary blueberry among the patches.

07-17-2006, 06:10 PM	#1
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Ashokan High Point This hike started on Saturday night about 11;30 PM--Me at work Judy calls--"Sweetie, my Mom wants to take the kids to 6 Flags tomorrow" Me--Great, tell them to have fun Judy--I thought we should go w/ them Me--What??!! I thought we were doing Rocky tomorrow?? Me--(Thinking) Father of the Bride wants Overtime--ETA Home 3:00 AM--Sleep, 3 Hours--Hmmm Judy---I'll make it up to you Me-- OK Anyway I digress--Decided to go solo and do Ashokan HP, a repeat from just about a year ago---It was hot, hot, hotter today. Left the TH at 9:30 and just kept walkin--stopped alot to cool down--drank lots of water--made it to the top--Got some nice shots at the summit and just beyond--started the loop down and put on the cruise control--dunked my head in the Kanape Brook--got back to the car at 2:00 (4-1/2 hrs)--9.4 miles 2360 vertical-done deal. Now to collect my "make up" pics http://community.webshots.com/myphot...ecurity=cORDEI

07-21-2006, 01:31 AM	#4
Mark Schaefer Commander Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Katrine, NY, just inside the Catskill Blue Line Posts: 1,282	Bill, were there notes about aggressive bears in the trail registers at both the Ashokan High Point and Spruceton trails? I have seen 4 bears over the years on Ashokan HP and one more on Mombaccus. It is definitely bear territory with the blueberries, acorns, beechnuts, and the grassy areas. Bears eat a lot of grass and just about any tender young growth. The largest was a 300 lb male bear in the col between AHP and Little AHP (the eastern knob). There is an open meadow with prime blueberry and huckleberry patches on the knob. There have been many reports of problem bears near small towns in the Catskills, but I have heard of only one before in the Catskill back-country. But it is bound to happen sooner or later, and the normal precautions are necessary when camping. I have seen over 20 bears while hiking the Catskills in the last two years. It is always a treat. Normally they turn tail and scamper away. Occasionally they hang around a bit, but I have never seen any kind of threatening or aggressive behavior. The only bad Catskill bear/hiker story I ever heard was of a problem bear that set up residency in Becker Hollow during one season in the late 1990s. The DEC admitted he was a problem Adirondack bear that had been captured, undergone rehab with a human, and was later released in Becker Hollow. Because of his prior human contact he would approach hikers in a playful yet annoying manner. He ended up scratching a couple of hikers. Because the bear could not be caught for testing, the hikers were about to undergo rabies shots. That was just before the start of hunting season. Predictably the bear was soon shot by a hunter. Fortunately the bear was not rabid, but it was a bad ending for the bear. Since that time I have not heard of any Catskill hikers being harmed by a bear. I have also seen two bears in recent years in Becker Hollow, both of who were the normal shy Catskill bears. __________________ “Whether you think that you can, or that you can't, you are usually right.” Henry Ford My Photos: http://community.webshots.com/user/CatskillHiker

07-21-2006, 08:50 AM	#6
Rik Village Idiot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Where the Truth Lies Posts: 2,601	I saw lots of bear signs when I climbed Ashokan last year. Tons of scat, some of which looked pretty fresh. That blueberry patch that Mark mentions on the knob looked like prime territory. We almost expected to see one but didn't. __________________ This post is for entertainment purposes only.

07-27-2006, 02:04 PM	#11
MattC Commander Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New Paltz, NY Avatar: Autumn in the Catskills Posts: 1,055	I scampered up and down High Point Sunday evening. No bears, and I gotta say, I was disappointed with the blueberries. Seemed pretty scant this year. I don't know if it's still too early, or if they've already been picked over. Anyway, still a nice hike as always. I just went up and back in about 3 and 1/2 hours, didn't do the loop or go out to the sub-peak. Hiked and talked for much of the way w/ a college-age kid from Kingston named Dan who was wearing a big pack, training for a Devil's Path backpack in a few weeks. After the hike I stopped by the south side of the reservoir and walked out on the dam a little ways. The water was real quiet that evening, unlike the chop I saw out there a couple months ago. Always a beautiful place to visit. Matt __________________ "Why so many want to read about the world out-of-doors, when it's more interesting simply to go for a walk into the heart of it, I don't fully understand." -Edward Abbey

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07-20-2006, 07:02 AM	#2
rockysummit Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ and Delaware Cty.NY Posts: 1,552	Great hike, one of my favorites! Wondering about any signs of bears, I've seen them a few times up there. A couple summers ago I was resting and having lunch in the open meadow when after about 20 minutes a bear stood up from the low brush on his hind legs, about 60 feet from me, took a look and then took off. He must have been sleeping there the whole time and neither of us was aware of each others presence!...Pretty cool.

07-20-2006, 04:56 PM	#3
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	I didn't see any signs but there were a couple mentions in the Trail Register about an aggressive bear and a note from the Ranger saying to "hang your food" It is a nice hike--just a tad rocky coming back around the loop as it follows the dry stream bed. Lots of blueberries up top make it bear heaven. I took a pic of Hunter Mt's Trail Register on Tues.--it has an interesting entry form a group who encountered an aggressive bear

07-21-2006, 07:34 AM	#5
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Hey Mark---Yes both Trail Registers had notes written about bear contact. I took a picture http://community.webshots.com/photo/...82736937QpNeqZ of the Hunter Register. It was a little strange to see bear warnings 2 days in a row.

07-21-2006, 10:13 AM	#7
rockysummit Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ and Delaware Cty.NY Posts: 1,552	I believe it was last summer that I read on the other site about a bear following some hikers for more than a mile on the Hunter Mtn. trail from Becker Hollow. I found it odd, as I too have run into quite a few bears in the Catskills and never felt threatened.

07-21-2006, 12:39 PM	#8
rockysummit Commander Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NJ and Delaware Cty.NY Posts: 1,552	Hey Ralph, I was in the Seager area Saturday but didn't see any(bummer). Saw some tracks between Eagle and Big Indian but that was it. Can you post some pics when you get them done? -Tony

07-21-2006, 02:54 PM	#9
billandjudy Jimmy Dolan Notch Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 4,020	Ralph--Are you still planning on the Devil's Path in August--Judy and I had tentative plans on a 2 day traverse of either the DP or Escarpment on the 19th and 20th.

07-21-2006, 05:33 PM	#10
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,261	There have been very few reports of problem bears this year in the Cats. I think there is plenty of food to be had naturally (catapillars?) If you are afraid of bears hike with me and you won't see any, although my wife sees them quite often around the house while I'm hiking . There is an article and picture in the Catskill Mt. News about a rattlesnake being found near Huckleberry Brk off the Dry Brook Ridge, making 2 this month. Seems they are slowly moving into the area.

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