Upon reaching Bearpen's ridge, you will encounter a hunting camp. A couple different hunting clubs own property on Bearpen. Please respect their property. The trail to Bearpen's summit heads left (south), but first you may wish to head right, up a narrower path towards Roundtop. This half-mile hike only climbs 240' in elevation, and The Catskill Center holds a 30-acre easement with the landowner who wanted his property preserved. Along the trail I found the footprint of a black bear. Many of these non-aggressive creatures inhabit the Catskills and seeing one in the wild is rewarding.
	As you retrun from Roundtop and proceed along the trail to Bearpen's summit, the forest is dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), and black cherry trees. In additon, the wide road is lined with scores of northern blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) bushes, which provided me with a delightful snack. Since blackberries are a favorite food for bear, the numerous hunters must be able to take a few each season.
By looking just off the trail on the forest floor you will see many ferns and this common species, Clintonia borealis - the yellow clintonia, or bluebead lily as it is sometimes called. It thrives in moist, acidic soils whose bright blue berries are somewhat poisonous. It is also characterized by 3-6 yellowish, drooping, bell-like flowers at its apex. This species of wildflower was named in honor of the former govenor of New York, DeWitt Clinton.
	Because the road follows the level contour of the ridge and is still well-used by motorized vehicles, many ruts have formed. The soil is very poorly-drained and the ruts collect water that is still present even during the driest times of summer. The road follows along the ridge for more than a mile, passing into, out of, and alongside State land virtually the entire way. The lack of yellow paint (which the NYSDEC uses to mark its land) makes it difficult to determine the landowner.