Bearpen Conditions

[Low Angle Life]

Hey guys! I’m new to the site and have been curious about skiing here for a bit. Is Bearpen suitable for ski touring with enough snow? If it is, do you guys have any recommendations for trails/paths to ski down the mountain? I see Heisinger Road should be good for skinning up.

Bearpen is in play, my rule of thumb for Catskill backcountry is about 20" of snow pack to keep it from getting sketchy, less and downed trees and rocks become a problem. The road beyond the trail head at the end of Heisinger is good to go for skinning to the top, Ski Run Road is also a ROW. The issue you run into a Bear Pen is private land, you will likely end up on someones land. You may want to check in with the folks at Bearpen Mountain Sports, their property is likely what you'll end up in if you come down via the terrain off Heisinger Rd. As with most Catskill backcountry, it gets shwacky up there, old ski hills grow in quick and thick. Bearpen can be thicker underbrush than other areas in the Cats that I prefer for touring. If going down is less of a priority than a fun day out in nature you should enjoy yourself plenty.

 

[Ripitz]

Hey guys! I’m new to the site and have been curious about skiing here for a bit. Is Bearpen suitable for ski touring with enough snow? If it is, do you guys have any recommendations for trails/paths to ski down the mountain? I see Heisinger Road should be good for skinning up.

Heisinger Road is the straightforward approach. I’ve been told that it can be in poor condition for skiing though if it freezes after the snowmobiles hammer it. As I’m writing this I see @Low Angle Life beat me to it. As he mentions, check out Bearpen Sports. Help support them by buying a ticket and you can ski down on their land which extends almost all the way to the summit. Howard Rennel and his daughter are the owners. He has lots of good info about the mountain. I believe they are only open on weekends. Good luck. Fun Place!

 

[Ripitz]

@Kev, no pressure but I hope you can do a trip report or at least post some pics. Keep it vague.

 

[Kev]

Thank you guys for the info! I’ll definitely reach out to Bearpen Sports. @Low Angle Life what other places do you prefer touring?

 

[Kev]

@Kev, no pressure but I hope you can do a trip report or at least post some pics. Keep it vague.

I totally understand, thanks!

 

[Harvey]

This pic proves that adding "Bearpen in the distance" to my Plattekill TRs was accurate.

That's a great view of Plattekill.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I’ve only met two mountain managers.

Harv in 2010 ^^. Oh how the times have changed.

 

[Low Angle Life]

Spent the morning on snow at Belleayre and the afternoon in the mud exploring around Vly and Bearpen. Tried going full Andrew Camarata but I'm pretty cautious compared to how he whips his Isuzu around on snowmobile trails.

 

[APphysics]

Bearpen survived the thaw and rains …and is rejuvenated from this past snow event the road is good from the bottom—about 1”… around 25-2600’ is where it really kicks off in the woods. probably about 1.5’ in the woods towards the 33-3500’ mark and dwindles to inches around 2500’. with these low temps the snow is light and fluffy. temps were -5 to -10 today.