Summer 1957, Ben began more improvements to the mountain.  He again commissioned Slutzky Construction to carry out his plans. While working the Halcott side of the mountain, on the new BED HOLLOW touring trail, the workers were approached by a man named Percy Goff. He declared to the workers that they should cease what they were doing as the land they were on belonged to him. This event ended improvements to the ski area for a few months until Ben and Percy reached a written agreement that outlined boundary lines. Near the end of the summer, while Ben was away for a weekend, Don Truesdell, a worker at the ski area, cut several young saplings on the perimeter of the New York State Preserve land. His goal was to widen a tight area that surrounded the access road to the ski area. He unknowingly cut trees in a FOREVER WILD forest. A forest warden came through, noticed the trees cut down, and Ben's access permit was pulled.

Later in the Fall, Percy Goff filed a civil suit claiming better title to the land which he previously released ownership to in the written agreement with Ben. Although this did not affect the opening of the ski area for the Winter 1958, it would later become the beginning of the end for the Princeton Ski Bowl on Bearpen Mountain.

Listings in the Eastern SKI MAP

1958

In a hearing with the New York State Department of Conservation, Ben was able to convince them that the intention of his worker, Don Truesdell, was one of innocence. The fine for the cutting of the trees was lessened and his permit reinstated to cross this portion of the FOREVER WILD forest in time for the ski area to open for its next year of operation.