Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Central New York's Leatherstocking Country by Bill Bowers & Eileen McNulty-Bowers

Author:Bill Bowers & Eileen McNulty-Bowers
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Countryman Press
Published: 2010-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

Rail-trail at Robert V. Riddell State Park

Remains of past farming

The mown trail continues alongside the creek and open field. Here, you may find a kingfisher scolding, and dipping down toward the water, or a heron standing in water, still as a fencepost.

Passing through a gateway, bear right. Here, overgrown foundations are obscured by time and apple trees. The main trail curves ahead, crossing a footbridge. Bear left along short spur to find small outbuildings standing idly by, awaiting a farmer who’ll never return. Another, larger barn has already given way.

Return to cross the footbridge. For now, bypass a side trail ahead and to the left, continuing upslope. Bear left alongside another field, passing a shady picnic spot under a large, spreading hawthorn (Cretaegus spp.). Long associated with hope and renewal, their blossoms are among the first to appear in May. In Gaelic folklore, hawthorns mark the entrance to the “underworld” and are often linked with legends of fairies–though we haven’t see any of either, on our visits.

A farm road ahead leads through second-growth woods, emerging at the railbed at 1.75 miles. This time, turn left and uphill onto the trail you first bypassed, which leads in a 1-mile loop through coniferous forest and small meadows. Eventually this bears left, descending toward the footbridge, regaining the main trail. Retrace your steps to the railbed.

To reach the less developed southern site, turn left heading out to NY 28, proceeding under I-88. The entry is immediately on the left in 0.4 mile, beyond the I-88 ramps–an access road and gate set back from the road. The shoulder provides pulloff parking. Sometimes described as “awesome,” this seems a uniquely isolated area, where locals come to explore in solitude. Miles of unmarked roadways lead past stately trees, wildflower meadows, and even a remote waterfall. Near the summit, trails connect with Pine Lake Campus trails (see Hike 25) after several miles.

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