Belleayre, NY: Train Tracks to Fresh Tracks

Ripitz said:
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.

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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”.

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Walkway Over the Hudson

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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.

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Rosendale Train Trestle

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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.

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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.

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Super human and hard core. Please continue to be safe!
 
Ripitz said:
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.

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This one didn’t.

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

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I ditched the bike and set out with my kit.

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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.

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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

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Abandoned Highmount Ski Area from Fleischmanns

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I climbed back over the Divide. This is where I hit 60 and glided most of the way home.

Starlite

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Esopus Creek with Balsam in the distance.

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Simpson Ski Slope, where it all began.

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Pheonecia Diner

Eggs Benedict with Oyster mushrooms, spinach and smoked trout.

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Ashokan Causeway

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Moonrise over Poughkeepsie.

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Someone should call out your awesome decision not to try to continue the hike when you found out you were off course. You still got in such an epic, successful trip. So, I am calling out that one specific, very good decision.

You totally beastmoded this. Thank you for the gift of sharing it with us.
 
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