Bearpen Mountain (2/25/21)
Mention Bearpen Mountain to most avid hikers and the response is the same. “It’s a required 3500” “It’s a boring hike” “There are no views” and the most heard comment “It’s easy!” Well let me tell you something I don’t know what kind of drugs were utilized in the online description of this mountain but they were WRONG (Please no comments on how I am wrong. This is my blog on my experience and my opinion and remember I am OLD so be nice to your elders). We embarked on this hike on a Friday afternoon figuring that it being an easy hike we would have no problem finishing before sunset. HA! From the parking lot we began an ascent to the first landmark, the hunting cabin. Again the description of the cabin as a cabin is a bit of a reach. I was just happy to pass it on the way down before DARK (LOL).
From there we continued on. I can understand why some say there are no views as much of the would be views are obstructed by small trees that seem to just be in the right location.
Those damn trees……After the first continual ascent we came to a fork in the road. Now at first I think this can’t be right all the trail choices are DOWNHILL. I don’t want to go DOWNHILL I just went UPHILL! With no other option we continued on (did I mention it was DOWNHILL!). The trail soon leveled off and we encountered a few sleds utilizing the nicely groomed snowmobile trails. The conditions prevented us from finding the so called “herd trail” that I believe would have cut down on the total length of the hike so we continued on the snowmobile trail until we encountered….yep you guessed it another UPHILL! Now I look at the continual ascent and ask myself why did I initially climb to go down to go up? Yea no one answered me on the trail either although Red did look at me like WTF are we doing?
Figuring we’ve come this far we trek on. After a few stops on way up we final reach the plateau where the summit is located. We reach the first outlook and I say to myself what the hell are people talking about this view is beautiful.
At the outlook we ran into some of the sleds that had passed us on the way up and I have to say looking at them enjoying the view, not sweating, out of breath or feeling all my 40 something years I began to question my choice of outdoor activity. Adding to my dilemma was not only the fact that they were enjoying a nice cold miller lite but they did not offer to share 😭. After enjoying the view for a bit (really just catching my breath) we noticed a small yellow arrow with word summit and an arrow. Figuring we went this far we have to finish so we trekked over to the summit. I will say the summit is not awe inspiring but other parts of the mountain do offer some pretty cool views.
Seeing as dusk was coming we began our descent. This part of the hike was more enjoyable and the views of the setting sun against the mountains made it all worth it.
And in the winter be sure to check out this cool frozen fountain(?) on the road to the trailhead.
After making it back after about 6 miles and 3.5 hours I again question those who call this hike easy. I get that it is not technically difficult but having done Windham High Peak, Slide Mountain, Red Hill Fire Tower, Overlook Mountain, Mt. Tremper and the Escarpment Trail to various locations I have to say this trail rivaled. The two long ascents kicked my butt more than the short steep ones on other mountains. As the hike took longer than planned I had to entail the help of our wonderful neighbors to let our dogs out before I had another mess on my hands.
In texting back and forth she mentions that her husband looked up Bearpen and said it was once referred to as the Beast of the East. I knew from researching our hike that the mountain was once a quasi ski resort, with some of the ski machinery still visible near the summit. My interest peaked I began looking for more information. In doing so I happened upon a great article by Russ LaChappelle Bearpen Mountain: The Original Beast | NY Ski Magazine (nyskiblog.com). For anyone wanting to know more about the history of the mountain this is a great read.
Now those of you who may have read my blog before know that we usually reward ourself with a delicious local libation. However, due to the late hour we opted for take out from the Mountain Brauhaus Restaurant in Gardiner NY. For those who are not familiar with this Ulster County staple you need to be! They have been a family owned and operated restaurant since 1955 (say hi to Mark and Veronica behind the bar and Ilka at the hostess station). On any given weekend it is not unusual for there to be a 1-2 hour wait for a table and a line of people willing to wait (Pre-COVID). I have been lucky enough to enjoy their food since the 70’s when my grandparents would take me on our way to our families hunting camp in the Shawangunks (I’ll write more about this in the future). For unrivaled authentic German food and beer it is the only place to go! I recommend the weekly burger special or the Jagerschnitzel with red cabbage and spaetzle with a delicious tall Kostritzer.
Overall I would rate our trip up Bearpen Mountain as rewarding if not challenging.
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