On a pleasant early spring day, my buddy Jim and I decided to head south to
DEP's Rehor Road Unit in the town of Andes, just south of the Pepacton Reservoir. We decided to call this northern outcrop of Barkaboom Mountain "Rehor Ridge", which passes through open fields of old pastureland on its way to DEC land and two unnamed summit bumps. We started from a gate just off Barkaboom Road on what is left of Rehor Road at an elevation of 1620 feet. Rehor Road is now nothing more than a grassy path lined with old rockwalls and the only way to tell where you are is with a map and the blue DEP signs.
The former farm fields make for a spectacular setting, with the skyline of Cabot Mountain dominating to the south.
SW views across the farm fields towards the Pepacton Reservoir, where we spotted a dozen turkeys and several deer grazing as well.
A closer look reveals the Shavertown Bridge across the Reservoir.
Stately old rock walls and large trees make for pleasant exploring through the old farmland.
Ascending the remains of Rehor Road.
As we ascended the ridge, we came upon this foundation made from the flat Catskill sandstone which is plentiful here.
Only a few yards away was this foundation and retaining wall, bringing together visions of what the old farmstead must've looked like.
Although most of the ridge consisted of hardwoods, an old pine plantation near the former homestead rendered cold and dark, with snow holding on.
Back on the ridge and into the sunshine, the pleasant bushwhack continued through maple, beech and birch.
At a high point on the ridge, at an elevation a little over 2300 feet, we found an enormous football field sized fernglade with a view down into the hollow of Deerlick Brook.
We enjoyed a peaceful lunch at this high wetland/ fern glade, where deadfall has created a meadow like effect.
A fairly long, level 'whack brought us up to the summit ridge, where a large rock field greeted us.
Although nearly 100% snow free in the hardwoods, the north slopes below the summit held tight to its snow.
Arriving at the first summit, at about 2660 feet, with screened views from the wooded, but airy top.
Just off the summit, Jim stopped to check out this classic Catskill overhanging rock ledge.
Exploring the area between the summits, we found a small clearing high up on the second summit bump, with north facing views(and even some snow).
The second, slightly higher summit of "Rehor Ridge", at 2675 feet and wooded with no views.
We continued a short distance beyond the summit to the DEC boundary line, which we followed south directly down the steep slopes to our waiting car at the small parking area on Deerlick Brook Road. The route down followed the edge of a gorgeous, private estate which sits high up in the hollow of Derrlick Brook.
Deerlick Brook's rushing water greeted us as we arrived back at the car, completing a sweet 5.5 mile bushwhack, with over 1500 feet of ascent.
Our route.
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