Bear Mtn

klip59 · 05-13-2008, 04:37 PM

Not sure Bear Mt is in the Catskills, but I thought I'd try asking a question here regarding it. This would be the Bear Mt in Harriman State Park.
I grew up in Rockland County, many years ago. I moved to the Capital District in 1976.
This past weekend I went to NYC for the day so Shirley could visit with her son that works there. Anyway, on the way home, we zipped up the Palisades and I decided to take a quick spin over and see Bear Mt lodge. Was I disappointed. That was a beautiful lodge. I'm glad to see they were restoring it. But my question is, What happened to the Ski Jump? It wasn't where I thought I remembered it being. Any idea when they took it down. Had to be quite a while ago because the trees looked very mature where I thought it was.

judgeh · 05-13-2008, 06:07 PM

It wasn't there in 1997 when I first hiked Dunderberg Mt.

Mark Schaefer · 05-13-2008, 06:15 PM

Bear Mt is close enough. Most of the Catskill hikers on this forum also hike in the Bear Mt / Harriman Parks and the Hudson Highlands.

The ski jump was last used in 1990. I am not sure when it was actually removed. There are still remnants of it in the woods near the Inn and the AT.

The recent warming trend probably did it in. I believe some serious surface refrigeration would now be required to make any jump viable at this location. The jump was also not as high as current standards.

mudhook · 05-13-2008, 06:51 PM

I'm sure I watched jumpers in the early 70's at Bear Mt. I even had the idea to tobaggon off it, but was out voted by friends who actually grew up.

Jay H · 05-13-2008, 07:25 PM

I think you can see remnents of the jump right off the SBM trail... I think there are pylons there from the jump but it's not exactly functional anymore..

Jay

beav700 · 05-13-2008, 07:53 PM

The stone staircase is still there as well as the last section of the jump, but it's falling apart and it's not visible from the lodge due to overgrowth.

klip59 · 05-14-2008, 12:08 PM

My family used to go there every so often on weekends to watch the jumping in the winter. But participating in Section 9 Cross Country, we had meets there every fall. Part of the race was up the trail that went right below the jump itself and then headed around the lake. Next time I'm there, I'll head up into the woods along that trail and keep my eyes open for remnants.

Thanks for all the info!

beav700 · 05-15-2008, 11:43 AM

Were there any other ski jumps in NY before Lake Placid build theirs?

05-13-2008, 04:37 PM	#1
klip59 Cats 35/32 25W Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mechanicville, avatar: Blackhead Mt Posts: 1,236	Bear Mtn Not sure Bear Mt is in the Catskills, but I thought I'd try asking a question here regarding it. This would be the Bear Mt in Harriman State Park. I grew up in Rockland County, many years ago. I moved to the Capital District in 1976. This past weekend I went to NYC for the day so Shirley could visit with her son that works there. Anyway, on the way home, we zipped up the Palisades and I decided to take a quick spin over and see Bear Mt lodge. Was I disappointed. That was a beautiful lodge. I'm glad to see they were restoring it. But my question is, What happened to the Ski Jump? It wasn't where I thought I remembered it being. Any idea when they took it down. Had to be quite a while ago because the trees looked very mature where I thought it was.

05-13-2008, 06:15 PM	#3
Mark Schaefer Commander Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Katrine, NY, just inside the Catskill Blue Line Posts: 1,282	Bear Mt is close enough. Most of the Catskill hikers on this forum also hike in the Bear Mt / Harriman Parks and the Hudson Highlands. The ski jump was last used in 1990. I am not sure when it was actually removed. There are still remnants of it in the woods near the Inn and the AT. The recent warming trend probably did it in. I believe some serious surface refrigeration would now be required to make any jump viable at this location. The jump was also not as high as current standards. __________________ “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

05-13-2008, 07:25 PM	#5
Jay H Ice Cream Time Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Pittsfield, MA Posts: 6,793	I think you can see remnents of the jump right off the SBM trail... I think there are pylons there from the jump but it's not exactly functional anymore.. Jay __________________ Life is a short, warm moment And death is a long cold rest. You get your chance to try in the twinkling of an eye: Eighty years, with luck, or even less. -Pink Floyd

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05-13-2008, 06:07 PM	#2
judgeh Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 97	It wasn't there in 1997 when I first hiked Dunderberg Mt.

05-13-2008, 06:51 PM	#4
mudhook Forum Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: On the slopes of Old Clump Posts: 2,261	I'm sure I watched jumpers in the early 70's at Bear Mt. I even had the idea to tobaggon off it, but was out voted by friends who actually grew up.

05-13-2008, 07:53 PM	#6
beav700 Consultant Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 185	The stone staircase is still there as well as the last section of the jump, but it's falling apart and it's not visible from the lodge due to overgrowth.

05-14-2008, 12:08 PM	#7
klip59 Cats 35/32 25W Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Mechanicville, avatar: Blackhead Mt Posts: 1,236	My family used to go there every so often on weekends to watch the jumping in the winter. But participating in Section 9 Cross Country, we had meets there every fall. Part of the race was up the trail that went right below the jump itself and then headed around the lake. Next time I'm there, I'll head up into the woods along that trail and keep my eyes open for remnants. Thanks for all the info!

05-15-2008, 11:43 AM	#8
beav700 Consultant Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Middletown, NY Posts: 185	Were there any other ski jumps in NY before Lake Placid build theirs?

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