Beaverkill Range(Big Indian Wilderness-Catskills)

Met up with my buddy Jim once again to hike the entire Beaverkill Range, yet another Catskill Hundred highest peak on a pleasant spring day.  In my quest to hike the Catskill Hundred Highest peaks(technically 102 due to a three way tie), I came into the day sitting at 99, with only 3 left to go.  The Beaverkill Range sits tucked away in the southwest corner of the Catskills and has several different summit bumps, running southwest to northeast.  The highest summit rises to an impressive 3377 feet but can only be reached via bushwhack. Our route today would start and end at the snowplow turnaround on Black Bear Road, just before it enters the woods at a high elevation of 2600 feet.  The drive to the trailhead is quite scenic on this high elevation road which passes by several hunting camps as well as some long distant vistas.

Being careful to get beyond the private property, we hiked in about 4/10 of a mile,on the old road, which also doubles as the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail, before heading into the woods NW and beginning our bushwhack. 

 The woods were very open and easy to negotiate, with several classic Catskill stair steps as we headed up.

Hiking in ideal spring conditions with no humidity or bugs to speak of. 

Our ascent up to the summit ridge was steady but never overly steep, passing by several nice overhanging rocks along the way.

Colorful rock bands only added to the beauty of this hike.

Classic Catskill stair step.

Another stair step, as we gained over 700 feet to the main ridge. 

Springs renewal is even coming to these high peaks....slow but sure.

Once on the ridge, we backtracked SW towards the first unofficial summit bump on the range. 

The woods are were thoroughly enjoyable to explore, with several small, open meadows along the way.

The range consists of at least 4 summit bumps, all over 3300 feet and gently rolling, with screened views to the valley below.  The hike brought us through a high ridge of yellow birch, beech, maple, and a few oaks.

Some snow from this past weekend persisted high up on the north slopes of the mountain.

Hugging the north slopes of the summit ridge, where we found large swaths of matted down fern glades.

Winter's grip is slow to release on these mountains, as evidenced by this snow and ice over 3300 feet.

Nearing the true summit, we encountered another wide open fern glade, this one the largest we had been to yet.

A single boulder, seemingly pointing to the heavens greeted us on our arrival to the summit area.

The matted down fern glade just off the summit is quite an impressive spot...

...with spectacular views towards Balsam Lake Mountain, the Schoolhouse Peaks and Graham.

Balsam Lake Mountain(left) and the Schoolhouse Peaks(right), which just miss being 3500 foot peaks themselves due to lack of prominence.

 Graham Mountain, some 500 feet higher than this summit, still wearing a crown of white.

Just above the view spot is the true 3377 foot summit, fully wooded and nondescript.  It was, however, a nice milestone.  My 100th Catskill hundred highest peak.

As always, we did our best to search for views, and did manage a sneak peek towards some of the higher peaks to the east.(Peekamoose, Table, Lone).

The wide open woods make for easy strolling atop one of the summit bumps.  Almost makes it hard to believe you are at such a lofty elevation.

A neat little ledge near one of the summit bumps.

We managed to find one last small viewpoint on the north summit, towards Balsam Lake Mountain and its fire tower.

A swift 800 foot drop off the north slopes of the range brought us down to a crossing of the gorgeous Beaverkill.  We had to search a bit, but managed to find a nice place to cross.

Once across the creek, we picked up the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail, only to leave it quickly once again as we bushwhacked a very short distance to remote and wild Tunis Pond.

 Tunis Pond is truly a hidden gem in the Catskills, sitting at a high elevation over 2500 feet, tucked into the much bigger surrounding mountains.  The Beaverkill Range, where we had just been, can be seen from the shore here.

Once back on the trail, we wandered peacefully along the crystal clear water of the mountain's namesake.

 Turning the corner on the trail, heading south, and passing by the wetlands  of Tunis Pond at the base of Doubletop Mountain.

The last 3.5 miles went quickly, along the Neversink-Hardenburgh Trail...and past the Fall Brook lean-to.

Arrived back at the car with the clouds steadily increasing in front of some passing showers.  Another great day in the books, witha total of 9.5 miles with 1900 feet total ascent.  100/102!!