Travel the World with Shirley A. Roe: Hiking in the Finger Lakes N. Y.

Short Getaways

Four days in New York Finger Lakes Region

Hiking

Only four hours from our home in Ontario, the idea of hiking three of the most beautiful state parks in New York was a definite destination for us.

We booked a hotel in Hornell, which was central for all of the planned activities.

Tuesday we drove from home and it rained most of the way to Hornell. Once we arrived, the rain stopped and after unpacking we headed for our first destination, Stony Brook State Park. It was only about a twenty minute drive from the hotel.

The 577 acres of Stony Brook State Park have an interesting history. Seneca Indians hunted and fished here long before the Europeans arrived over 150 years ago. In 1883, the construction of a railroad encouraged visitors to Stony Brook. In 1920 the park fell into disrepair but was established as a state park and during the 30’s was quickly revived as a Federal public works project.

There are three main trails, the Gorge, the West Rim and the East Rim. Large stone steps, which look like a giant’s staircase lead to the top of the gorge. Hikers should be aware of the uphill climb, it is challenging unless you are a seasoned hiker. We followed the Gorge Trail past some beautiful waterfalls and interesting shale cliffs.

The Gorge Trail meets the West Rim Trail just before the parking lot in the Upper park area. The park offers camping, picnicking and has a great natural swimming pool.

Day two, we awoke to clouds and scattered showers so we decided to head to Watkins Glen State Park. It was about an hour’s drive from our hotel and luckily, the rain stopped before we arrived at the park.

Watkins Glen is a spectacular narrow gorge where you can hike alongside Glen Creek past deep pools, water sculptured rocks and nineteen waterfalls. During the past million years, water in the form of giant mounds of ice, or glaciers transformed the landscape. The park has been opened since 1906.

We passed through the tunnel entrance and began our ascent on the Gorge Trail. Visitors should be reminded that there is a shuttle bus available for those that find the climb too challenging and an easier hike down the gorge from the top can be achieved without much difficulty. We hiked up the gorge, past Sentry Bridge and on to Cavern Waterfall which you actually walk behind the falls on your climb. Pictures can never show the true beauty but perhaps they will tempt you to go and see these parks for yourself.

At Suspension Bridge you can access Lily Pond, the South pavilion and the swimming pool, or you can do as we did and continue on the Gorge trail under the suspension bridge. Next comes the Narrows where the gorge has it’s own microclimate similar to the rainforest. At the top of the next staircase is Glen Cathedral and it is an extraordinary sight. Drought resistant grasses, wildflowers and shrubs grow on the ledges.

Central Cascade and Glen of Pools feature the highest waterfall, at more than 60 feet. Rainbow Falls allows another opportunity to walk under the falls. Beyond the bridge, enter a dark and narrow passage with dripping springs, ancient sculptured pools and Pluto Falls. At the top of the trail there are restrooms and a snack bar. We continued down the Indian Trail for a forest hike back to the entrance.

Day three, and the weather is beautiful. Now we travel about forty minutes north to Letchworth State Park, a 14,350 acre park along the Genesee River. Precipitous walls of the Gorge with the river winding below, dramatic waterfalls and the beauty of the surrounding forest make this park an excellent hiking experience.

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East” the park’s story began when Mr. William Pryor Letchworth first purchased the building and surrounding one hundred acres in 1859. Over the next fifty years, Mr. Letchworth developed Glen Iris Inn and the surrounding grounds into the spectacular location that it is now. The property was deeded to the state of New York in 1907. On the ridge behind the Inn stands a restored Seneca Council House and a statue of Mary Jemison. The park offers camping, picnicking and a Trout pond for fishing. The Inn and museum are definitely worth a visit.