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 Reporter |
Summary: Located near Austerlitz, Beebe Hill rises only 300 feet above the surrounding area. If you climb its fire tower though, you will be rewarded with great views. Begin by walking SW along the gravel road at the end of the pond. You can walk all the way to the top of the hill on this road. Instead though, take the foot trail that begins shortly on the right and which is a much more enjoyable walk. The trail, marked with red discs, passes through a mostly hard wood forest and climbs gradually to the top of the hill. After the sign-in register, you will cross a small creek on a foot bridge. You pass the "Chance of Thunder Lean-Too" and then a small pond (Opal Pond). Soon you are at the top of the hill. If you are not afraid of heights, climb the fire tower and enjoy the magnificient views. The Catskill mountains are clearly visible to the south. Return by the same trail. Trailhead: Take NY Rte 90 East to Exit B3. Continue on NY Rte 22 South for 2 miles. Turn right onto Middle Rd. After 1.5 miles, bear left on Fog Hill Rd. Turn left onto County Route 5 (Osmer Rd). Make quick right onto woods road at north end of Barrett Pond. Park on side of road just past the pond's outlet. (Lat:42.339 Lon:-73.474) Trail Guides for Beebe Hill: Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: NYS DEC Region 4 Forest Ranger (518) 828-0236 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by George Senft, who has posted 26 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 3 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Don on 3/14/2010 Very easy, short hike. View from the tower is worth the trip. Even with 2-3 feet of snow the hike was easy. Instructions to trailhead are wrong on this page - after turning right on Middle rd. go straight at Fog Hill (not left) then bear left at the Y (left will also be Fog Hill). After turning left on Rt.5 make your first right on unpaved road (no sign that lets you know you are at Beebe Hill). Trailhead is straight ahead.
Reviewed by CJ on 11/12/2009 Hiked on Wed 11/11, nice area, well marked trail. Great for families/dogs. The view was wonderful, would have been better on a clearer day. Be careful with the directions - at the 4 way intersection on Middle go straight and not left on Fog Hill - or else you will end up on Rt 22 again. There is no sign for Osmer or Woods Rd. When you come out off the gravel rd - onto another paved well traveled rd - that's county rt 5 and the parking is almost directly across the stree - look for the Forest Preserve signs. Once at the top there is a road up the back side of the mountain - don't take it - you'll end up far far away from where you left your car.
Reviewed by NEWMS on 10/27/2009 hiked on Sunday 10/25/09. Beutiful day to hike. Trail was well marked. The view from the tower was well worth the short hike to the summit. Windy at the top of the tower. Several people hiking the trail, only a few registered.
Reviewed by Brian on 10/13/2009 Hiked this last week. What a gem right in our own area. The hike up the trail to the top was pleasant. On the summit it was very peaceful. Took a lot of pictures. I'm not fond of high places so the climb up the fire tower freaked me out, but I made it. The views from up there were incredible. I could even see the south mall towers in Albany and surrounding mountains on all sides. I hiked the road back down. About a third of the way down the road you have to take a left which brings you back to the parking lot. This road winds through the woods and is very scenic on a fall day when the leaves are at peak. I did Harvey Mountain earlier in the day so I was beat by the time I was done.
Reviewed by melissa on 10/5/2009 off of exit B3 go on 22s until you see rt. 5..it's a verrrry sharp right hand turn about 6 miles down 22. and stay straight. after a couple of miles you will see the "now entereing beebe hill conserv" and then on the left is a little road/gravel...it took me a while to find it b/c everyone has diff. directions. It was an exxxxcellent view. Easy hike, a little stretch of uphill. Not too strenuous. Climb the firetower. it is very safe. Ranger up there on the weekends to give a full 360 tour of mountains. 60ft high! My little dog made it up all of the stairs so don't be scared! you'll regret not climbing up. Beatutiful. Maybe ghosts... my car alarm went off twice during hike, had to disconnect the battery. Old cemetary is cool.
Reviewed by Michael on 7/14/2009 Nice little hike, didn't take very long. Parking is north side of east hill rd, the trail is directly across from the parking, on the left, you'll see the blue marker. I guess the road thats it off goes up and around the mt and lets you park so you can grab the blueberries up top. whats the fun in driving? the trail was in good condition, if a little muddy still. no bug bites, no ticks :) saw two other hikers on the trail, both had dogs, very friendly. beautiful day, great clouds. nice way to kill and hour or two. definitely gets your heart going, though only for brief stretches, its not too strenuous for the majority of the trail. wear comfy boots, of course, and you'll be great. 
Reviewed by G$$ on 6/14/2009 AMAZING, MAGICAL VIEW...THE HEIGHT IS ALITTLE SCARY..the trailhead is easy to miss.. but if u turn by barrets pond you'll find it..the trail up was easy..again the firetower rocked.. on the way back DONT TAKE THE ROAD..ITS VERY CONFUSING..we ended up at the otherside of the mt. at the bottom.. thank GOD A FRIENDLY DEADHEAD gave us a ride to our car..overall its a magical romantic spot... g$$$ 6 13 2009
Reviewed by Dan Byrne on 3/29/2009 This was a great little hike. We hiked it 3-29-09 in the late afternoon. We had some difficulty finding it. I think we missed a turn. We stayed on Rt. 22 south until we noticed county route 5 to the right. We backtracked on CR5 until we found Barret Pont (on left)and the trailhead is at the north end of the pond. The hike was easy and the area was beautiful. The views from the tower were excellent. Overall, this is a great little hike. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: New York Hiking, New York Trails, New York Hikes, Columbia County Hiking, Columbia County Trails, Columbia County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||