Mornings With Chris Hiker (Burger Hill)

I woke up at a decent hour and headed out on Thanksgiving morning before I headed out for the feast.  While walking up at a relatively brisk pace, I had some sharp pains in my back.  I slowed down and they went away, but it was quite scary.

Ferncliff Forest and its tower

The village of Rhinebeck

Looking across the river towards Port Ewen

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Ferncliff Forest)

Another morning, another light hike in the Hudson Valley.  Today I hit up Ferncliff Forest.  The trees were significantly more bare, but I was surprised to see as much as I did.  Autumn's warmth has left many leaves on the trees.

Bearpen and Beyond

Bearpen from the pond

Today I met up with my friend Caysey and his girlfriend Ula and their friend Belinda.  When I reached the trail head on the north side of Bearpen, the house displayed the ever welcoming Confederate flag.  I was surprised there were no Trump signs to accompany it.  When Caysey showed up, he jokingly told me to peel off any Hillary bumper stickers I may have.

After spotting cars, we walked up the moderately steep old logging road to the saddle of Vly and Bearpen.  We debated numerous times about bushwacking to cut off some mileage, though this may not have cut much time, thus the decision to stay on trail.

Bearpen used to have ski slopes and we had some fun checking out some of its remains.  We finally hit the view points after some steep climbing.  We continued past where I normally stop.  Caysey tells me, "No, there's a much better view up ahead."  He was right.  I can count at least six previous ascents of Bearpen and I never knew there was another great view point.  This spot provided the views north to Hunterfield and the Schoharie Reservoir.  There were also views to the south and west.  Plattekill ski center could be spotted.

Schoharie Reservoir

Huntersfield

The route we would be taking

The Plattekill Ski slopes

We continued on.  There are countless logging roads.  Fortunately, we did a pretty good job of picking the correct ones.  Just below Bearpen is a small pond.  I tried walking across as it was partially frozen.  Another spot I knew nothing about until now.

Caysey, Ula and Belinda walking by the pond

The trail then skirted NW Bearpen which happens to be the high point of Delaware county.  A short bushwack and we were higher than anyone in the most economically depressed county in NY.

After some confusing intersections, we reached the saddle to Round Top.  This should not be confused with the Round Top near Kaaterskill High Peak or the half dozen other Round Tops in the Catskills.  It was a quick walk to the summit and it's one of three Round Tops that are one of the Catskills' 100 highest.

We bushwacked down a little ways and crossed a few logging roads before we found the one we wanted.  Just another wonderful day in the Catskills.

Great time for a head stand!

 

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Four Mile Point Preserve)

Scenic Hudson is truly a wonderful Hudson Valley organization.  There are a few of these parks within a 15 minute drive.  This morning, I took advantage of one.

Four Mile is located between Coxsackie and Athens along the Hudson River.  It's a very small park with about a half mile of trails.  Still, it's a nice place to take in an early morning breeze.

Mornings With Chris Hiker (Rams Horn Livingston Sanctuary)

I came here for the first time in June this past year.  I figured this would be a good spot for a nice early morning walk before I head to work.

When I was here last, everything was so green and alive.  Today, it was brown and quiet.