Our hike begins at a small pull-off area along Greene County Route 2, south of Prattsville. From here we will be hiking over 3.5 miles (one way) along old roads and through recovering forests. As you can see in the image below, the view from the parking spot is a great way to start - you'll look due south at your destination (Bearpen) on the right, and over to Vly Mountain along the ridge to the east. After parking at the intersection of Route 2 and Ski Run Road, you'll follow the trail in about a half-mile until you reach State land.
	In the 1960s, a small ski area operated on Bearpen, and its trails (which are undergoing reforestation) are still visible from the parking spot. Because both sides of the road are privately owned, please stay on the road until reaching State (public) land. While you walk along, you will notice the many different kinds of tree species - many not native to the Catskills, some open fields, and alot of old stone walls.
Their presence clues you in to the history of this mountain and the Schoharie valley. Until fairly recently this was farmland, and only the first stages of forest succession have begun - white pine (Pinus strobus) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) begin to reclaim the fields. These shade intolerant species thrive in the open, but as you'll see, the sunlight begins to diminish as you go, and so do pine and aspen.
The next stage of a forest's succession, which can easily be seen, is characterized by maples - red (Acer rubrum) and striped (Acer pensylvanicum), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), paper birch (Betula papyrifera), witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana), and some Prunus serotina, black cherry.