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DISTANCE: 6.5 miles TYPE: Out and back TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 1,325 feet MAXIMUM ELEVATION: 3,600 feet DIFFICULTY: Moderate HIKING TIME: 3.5 hours |
While being two of the most remote mountains in the region, Bearpen and Vly are included on the list of Catskill peaks above 3,500 feet elevation, at 3,600 feet and 3,529 feet, respectively. What makes these mountains unique, however, is that they are the only high peaks outside the Catskill Park boundary line. In addition, these mountains have no maintained foot trails to their summits. Most untrailed mountains in the Catskills are very strenuous bushwhacks through heavy underbrush and blowdown, but the route up Bearpen and Vly follows broad forest roads, easily discernible herd paths, and snowmobile trails, making for a pleasant hike any time of year. Their far-flung location often affords a good deal of solitude, a highlight not to be overlooked.
GETTING THERE
Take Exit 19 (Kingston) from the New York State Thruway, then turn right onto NY-28, heading west. Continue on NY-28 West for 27 miles until you reach the hamlet of Big Indian. From Big Indian, take NY-28 north for another 5.4 miles, eventually turning right onto Main Street in the small town of Fleischmanns. In half a mile, turn right onto Lake Street/County Route 37. Follow this road for 7.5 miles as it transitions from County Route 37 to Old Halcott Road, and from Old Halcott Road to County Route 3. Parking is available on a gravel pull-off, about a quarter mile from the road’s end. The parking area is small but usually not heavily trafficked, due to the secluded location of this hike.
GPS SHORTCUT
Search Google Maps for “Co Rd 3 & Johnson Hollow Road.” Follow your GPS to the intersection and veer right, staying on County Route 3 until your reach the parking area.
From the parking area, walk up County Route 3. Enter the woods on a rocky forest road, veering away from a small stream on your right shortly afterward. Climb steadily uphill, following the forest road for roughly a mile until the terrain levels off at about 2,800 feet above sea level. Depending on what season you are hiking, a disused hunting cabin may be visible to your left, along another forest road. This is the saddle between Bearpen and Vly. Continuing straight on will lead you downhill to the other side of the ridge and the continuation of County Route 3.
As the trail levels off, look to your right for some signage marking the boundary of state land. You should be able to discern a well-established herd path a few feet up the trail from these signs. This is the trail to Vly. Leave the forest road and follow this herd path as it winds its way through the trees. There are several short, steep uphill bursts, but for the most part the climb is gradual.
Continue following this herd path until it ends in about three-quarters of a mile. There will be a canister containing a logbook attached to a tree. Sign in if you wish and make your way back to the forest road via the same route you just walked. There is no clear view from the top of Vly, but if the leaves are off the trees, you may catch little glimpses of the surrounding countryside.
Once back at the saddle you can descend back to your vehicle by turning left, or continue to Bearpen by heading toward the hunting cabin, following a snowmobile path past a small field. You will come to a trail split shortly thereafter. Stay left and begin to climb uphill. There is a network of unmarked trails and old roads in this area, and it can be confusing to know which trails to take. When in doubt, follow the path that heads uphill! In about 0.3 mile, the trail will switchback, sending you another 0.2 mile steeply upward. Follow the snowmobile trail for 0.75 mile as it largely levels off. The trail here is easy and gives you plenty of opportunities to look around and take in your surroundings.
RUSTY CAR REMNANTS NEAR THE SUMMIT OF BEARPEN MOUNTAIN
LOOKING NORTH FROM BEARPEN MOUNTAIN
Eventually you will begin climbing again along the same snowmobile trail. The path becomes a little rockier at this point. This portion of the trail can be very muddy and slippery when conditions are wet as well. After about half a mile, the trail begins to level off again on a large, flat, wooded plateau. This is the true summit of Bearpen, which, like Vly, does not have any views. Continuing a few hundred feet past the true summit, and downhill a short distance, will bring you to a large clearing that offers very good views of the northern country. Exploring this area further shows evidence of dilapidated man-made structures (probably remnants of ski slopes) and a rusty old car, set a short distance back into the trees.
Once you have finished taking in the view, return to the saddle by the same way you came and walk back down the forest road to your vehicle.