Bald Mountain

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Bald Mountain (1/19)

4.5 miles
875 feet elevation gain
I’m never really in this part of the Catskills. It’s north and west of me and I’m usually hanging in zones a bit more south. I have to say I look forward to exploring this area more because it’s gorgeous.
My snowmobile friends had told me about this place over the winter and so I came to check it out for ski season shenanigans. On the way up, the trails had some slippery muddy spots and a lot of bear scat. There were even some cool bear tracks in the mud. There are a bunch of crisscrossing trails, so it helps to have a map. Apart from that, the flies were a bit of a nuisance.
The hike is super mellow except for maybe the last 2/10 mile which is a bit steep.
At the top are the remnants of the old Scotch Valley ski resort that closed in 1998. Apparently, in 1965 a 150 foot ski jump was constructed. Aside from lodge, trails, chairlifts, and rope tows, the resort also had cross country skiing and a bowling alley. I find it interesting the extras old ski resorts had—like Cortina’s disco. Must’ve been good times.



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