Belleayre, NY: Train Tracks to Fresh Tracks

Ripitz · Wednesday at 5:01 PM

Part One

Belleayre announced its last weekend and with a storm brewing, I knew it would be a long summer of regret if I didn’t pull one last mission.

I loaded up my Trek Checkpoint and headed to the Dutchess County Rail Trail in Hopewell Junction for the ride north. My destination was the Starlite Motel in Big Indian where I would stay the night. I’ve made the ride to the Catskills and back a few times before on my e-bike but have since grown more aware of the stigma that they are for sissies and lazy people. With that in mind, I decided this time I would be travelling sans moteur. In other words, no “cheating”.

Walkway Over the Hudson

I had tried to run a last minute errand to a crowded DMV to register my utility trailer that I use for work before leaving. This yielded only waiting, frustration, no registration, and a three hour delay to my scheduled departure.

No worries now, always forward, never back. I was on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail pedaling toward my happy place trying to leave that all behind.

Rosendale Train Trestle

Some country roads delivered me to the Ashokan Resevoir Causeway which I used to connect over to yet another rail trail. It seemed like everywhere was the works of man. Farms, mines, railroads, bridges, dams and reservoirs. It’s amazing to see what’s been constructed in a relatively short amount of time.

I had planned to beat the rain and make it to the Peekamoose Restaurant before they closed at 9pm. My three hour delay helped deliver me to the Starlite rain soaked and salt sprayed from the Rte 28 passing cars just before midnight. No Peekamoose for me. Some jerky and a Fosters oil can would have to do.

Ripitz · Wednesday at 5:02 PM

Part Two

The rain had changed over to snow overnight making everything white. The beds at the Starlite are super comfy and I was in no hurry for first chair. I managed a leisure morning enjoying coffee and had the bike packed up by 9am.

Belleayre Beach and Giggle Hollow before the long climb to Highmount.

I took my time getting ready at Discovery Lodge and boarded the gondola that took me up to the summit that was socked in.

A foot of fresh was reported. This was the deck at the Sunset Lodge.

Goat Path

Utsayantha with no one around.

Eagle Falls

Lightening Quad

The highest snow totals were up on the ridge and the headwall but even the lower mountain had enough accumulated to make it skiable due to the snow’s density.

Mohican

I reached out to @Brownski and eventually hunted him down at the Discovery Lodge.

I had only met him once before. He had escorted me in his kayak as I swam across the Hudson River during the annual River Pool Swim. He was calm and reassuring. His presence had given me a much needed boost. When I got to the other side and tried to find him, he had vanished like a super hero.

Walking into Discovery, I was finally able to give him a hug and thank him in person.

Belleayre Run

We cruised the mountain and chatted a bunch. The snow was tricky. There was every type on a single run from creamy to grabby and then corn to slush.

Brownski called it a little early and we hung before he left having a Buschy. Lately politics have been heating up and sometimes that spills into our forums. Maybe Brownski and I don’t agree on those things and I don’t even really know to be honest. But we both agree that we all have more in common than that which divides us.

Enjoying a beer in a muddy parking lot on the last day is one of them.

Ripitz · Wednesday at 5:03 PM

Part Three

After we said goodbye I set back out for the Ridge.

To take it in one last time before next season.

Hirschland

My Happy Place

I really hope this run is never lost.

Last chair and side hits.

Back to Base

And a 50+mph downhill to Pine Hill.

For awesome chorizo quesadillas and a pineapple-jalapeño margarita at Tito’s.

Back to the Starlite.

Ripitz · Wednesday at 5:04 PM

Part Four

After another night of rest at the Starlite, my plan was to hike one of my last High Peaks for the 3500 Club. Vly Mountain which is not known for its challenge or views was just a short ride away with a fresh frosting. It would be 36 of 37 reserving a finish on Balsam Lake Mountain with Powerman.

I went up some crazy roads out of Pine Hill on a “short cut” over the Catskill Divide.

This sign gave me a chuckle.

This one didn’t.

I dropped down into Halcott, making my way up into the hollow with a saddle and the peak within distance.

I ditched the bike and set out with my kit.

After a short effort I checked my progress only to realize I was right next to a lean-to. Lean-to WTF? I’m on my way to South Vly Bro! Wrong hollow! What the?

So I hung out at the Halcott Lean-to and recalibrated.

I called Powerman and @APphysics since they are the only people who understand where I am or what I’m going through. I was late, lost and far from home. They both provided good medicine. Those dudes are clutch in any situation. My turn around time was now. Going to Vly at this point would require another night. Going in deeper was not feeling right especially since I was riding passed signs that were literally spelling it out for me.

I kicked back and enjoyed myself. Vly would be another day and something I could now think about on the line to the DMV. I’m out. I still had almost 90 miles to go home.

It was an incredible spring day.

Halcott