Catskillmountaineer.com Forum

We started out this morning around 9 am for our hike to Poet's Ledge. As always, the hike up the ridge was long. When we got to the top we took the trail down to Poet's Ledge. It was a little hazy. We got there around 11:30 am. Probably should have gotten there sooner. Yesterday would have been better. It would have been clearer and breezy.

We had lunch at the top of Poet's Ledge. Alexis was impressed with the view.

We then bushwhacked over to Eastern Viola Falls. We then found Central Viola Falls. We then started to hike up the eastern branch of the creek. Pretty soon we came to a cave near the creek. We decided to avoid the cave/creek. Didn't want to encounter a bear in the cave. After we got to the trail , we headed over to Viola Falls. Got to the bottom and took a picture.

On the way back we ran into some old hiking friends, Ted and Valerie. Chatted for a while and then headed back out. When we got down near Malden Ave we heard a hawk's scream. Then we heard a Great-Horned Owl. I sure the hawk left after that. It was a nice day of wondering around. We hiked about 8.01 miles and 1,767' of vertical up the ridge.

Here are some pictures:


The first of many water falls for Viola Falls (36 feet high)


On our way up the mountain


View of South Mtn (Indian head & PO Overlook)


Indian head - From PO overlook it looks an Indians Head.


Palenville Overlook


View of the Kaaterskill Clove from Poet's Ledge


Panoramic View of the Kaaterskill Clove from Poet's Ledge


One of many piles of bear scat we saw


A split tree that is reattached about 25' up the tree - Highly unusual event


Alexis at the highest point

I had bear spray on my belt. I already knew that there was a large bear in that region. We did come within 100' of the bear cave. We walked around the cave. About 100 piles of bear scat around the cave. Seems to sleep this time of day. This is the same one that was there 3 years ago. He is in a place that is very difficult for hunters to get to, so he has been around for a long time. Based upon the size of rocks he has turned over and the digs, he is quite big.

A lot of the bears on Kaaterskill Mtn range were killed in 2009/2010 when hunters found out that there were lots of them there. Not as many any more. But, I am sure the population will build up again. It is very difficult for hunters to get where they live.

That would be my guess. If he goes down in the Kaaterskill Clove, then hunters will get him. When I talked to hunters last year, they said that there was a big one up there, but could get him down lower. Where he is now is too difficult to bring down the mountain. That is what makes him safe. But, there are other bears on the Mtn range.

Yup, he has to be a big boy. How big? I don't know. I didn't see any small bear scat, so I'm assuming that the bear is a male.