Our 2010 Hikes - May 5
Finger Lakes Trail
Campbell Mtn Lean To
Split Rock Lookout
Middle Mountain Lookout
Big Pond & Alder Lake
| CNY Hiking HOME PAGE | Our 2010 Hikes | Catskill Forest Preserve | FLT Eastern/Catskill Section |
|
Our 2010 Hikes - May 5 Finger Lakes Trail Campbell Mtn Lean To Split Rock Lookout Middle Mountain Lookout Big Pond & Alder Lake
|
Below you'll find information on our hikes on May 5, 2010 featuring sections of the Finger Lakes Trail in the Catskill Forest Preserve. We also visited Bear Spring Mountain WMA to do some scouting of parking and the FLT for a future hike as well as to take a few pictures. Including the drive (2+ hours from Syracuse), this made for a long day hiking trip. However, it was well worth it! We did hike a total of 6.5 miles on this Catskill day trip adventure featuring the Finger Lakes Trail.
Hike #1: NY 206 to Campbell Mountain Lean To
Date: May 5, 2010
Length of hike: 2.6 miles round trip
Location: Cherry Ridge Wild Forest in the Catskills
Trailhead: Small parking area on NY 206
Trailhead Coordinates: N42 03.110 W74 54.887
Name of Trails: Finger Lakes Trail, Campbell Mountain Trail
Hike Difficulty: Moderate
Hike Elevation Gain: 464 feet
Trail Conditions: Some wet sections.
Features: Old stone foundation ruins, scenic streams, Cat Hollow, waterfall and lean to
Our first hike of the day featured a pleasant walk from the small parking area on NY 206 to the Campbell Mountain Lean To. This hikes starts off as you walk past a yellow gate and descend gently along an old woods road. Your hiking on a multi-use trail as this trail doubles as a snowmobile trail in the winter. The trail is wide and easy as you gently descend past a piped spring on your left and then a power line above you.
One of the large stone foundations near the trail
Soon look to your left for the remains of a large stone foundation and soon after another. As the trail crosses a dry streambed, you may notice another large stone foundation on your right. The trail goes through some pines as it makes its way to a nice bridge over a scenic stream. You are in Cat Hollow.
Bridge over scenic stream in Cat Hollow
At 0.7 miles the trail begins to make its ascent up Campbell Mountain. You may hear a stream on your right that the trail is following. At 0.85 miles the trail levels off some and even briefly drops to a small stream crossing at 1.0 miles. This stream looks to be seasonal, however on this day it had water and if you look hard enough to your left about 150 feet upstream you may notice a waterfall. Although we believe the waterfall may be seasonal.
Campbell Mountain Lean To
Now the trail begins another ascent up the mountain. At 1.1 miles the trail turns left. At 1.2 miles you'll see a sign post with a side trail on the left. The lean to sign is on the ground (on 5/5/10). Turn left here to reach the lean to at 1.3 miles. The FLT does continue to climb Campbell Mountain, but there are no views, just a steep 500 foot ascent in 0.6 miles still left to one high point. The lean to is a great spot for lunch. To return to NY 206, simply retrace your steps.
Directions: From Syracuse take I-81 south to Exit 8 Whitney Point. Take US 11 south to the NY 206 junction (near Hess). Turn left, cross bridge and follow NY 206 East all the way to the trail junction south of NY 30. The small parking area will be on your right as you climb the hill.
Hike #2: Holiday-Berry Brook Rd to Split Rock Lookout
Date: May 5, 2010
Length of hike: 2.6 miles round trip
Location: Cherry Ridge Wild Forest in the Catskills
Trailhead: Small parking area on Holiday-Berry Brook Road
Trailhead Coordinates: N42 02.327 W74 50.865
Name of Trails: Finger Lakes Trail, Mary Smith Trail, Pelnor Hollow Trail
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Hike Elevation Gain: 691 feet
Trail Conditions: Some extremely steep sections.
Features: Old stone wall, scenic views
We took a short drive to reach the parking area for our second hike on 5/5. Holiday-Berry Brook Road is paved and easily reached from NY 30. You can still see a lot of the damage and rebuilding since the devastating flash floods from 2007. The small parking area is on the left and is well marked with a DEC sign. The parking area and part of the trail falls on private property.
Parking area on Holiday-Berry Brook Road
From the parking area cross Holiday-Berry Brook Road and follow the red discs of the Mary Smith Trail (FLT) into private property. You'll see a trail sign with mileage where the trail meets the road. At 0.1 miles the trail reaches a power line ROW with views to the left and a huge stone wall on the right. The trail goes back into the woods and soon you'll see a Forest Preserve Wild Forest sign. Your leaving private property and entering Cherry Ridge Wild Forest.
Large stone wall at power line ROW
The trail begins to ascend, somewhat steeply after entering state land. At 0.3 miles the trail passes a large rock on your right. At 0.5 miles the trails levels a bit and travels past a jumble of rocks on both sides of the trail. Soon the trail will begin another round of climbing before leveling out near an unofficial campsite at 1.0 miles. There are some views through the trees at the campsite. At 1.2 miles you'll reach the junction of the Pelnor Hollow Trail. Turn right here. Your now following the blue discs of the Pelnor Hollow Trail. The FLT follows this trail.
Split Rock Lookout
The trail drops 150+ feet over the next 0.1 miles on a real steep section of trail. It gives you something to look forward to after visiting the lookout as you'll be climbing that steep section of trail. After the steep descent you reach the Split Rock Lookout at 1.3 miles. A great spot for a lunch or snack break. Watch out for that drop off between the "split rock". To return to the parking area on Holiday-Berry Brook Road simply retrace your steps.
Directions from Hike #1: NY 206 West to NY 30. Turn right on NY 30. Turn right on Holiday-Berry Brook Rd. Follow road to parking area on left side of road.
Hike #3: Mary Smith Hill Rd to Middle Mountain Lookout
Date: May 5, 2010
Length of hike: 1.0 miles round trip
Location: Middle Mountain Wild Forest in the Catskills
Trailhead: Small parking area on Mary Smith Hill Road
Trailhead Coordinates: N42 02.404 W74 48.536
Name of Trails: Finger Lakes Trail, Mary Smith Trail
Hike Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Hike Elevation Gain: 485 feet
Trail Conditions: Some steep sections
Features: Scenic views
Our third hike took us to Middle Mountain Wild Forest and Mary Smith Hill Road. We read from the FLTC website that the road is rough and awful if you take it from the north (Beech Hill Road) as well as a bridge being out from the south. We e-mailed the NY DEC Region 4 offices and we were told that Mary Smith Hill Road was open from the south all the way to the trailhead. We drove from our second hike toward the Beaverkill Valley and Lew Beach to get to the southern section of Mary Smith Hill Road. On our way we passed the Beaverkill State Campground/Day Use Area and a real nice covered bridge that we had to cross. Looked like workers were getting the place ready for visitors and campers. What a nice area!
Covered bridge near Beaverkill State Campground
Mary Smith Hill Road begins as a paved road and then becomes a dirt road. There were sections of the road that were washed away back in 2007 from the flash floods. When we visited in the fall of 2007 the road was not easily traveled by regular vehicles. Today was totally different. The road was easily navigated by my small compact. You must remember that your on a forest road and shouldn't expect to go any faster than 25 MPH.
Mary Smith Hill Road at the small parking area
Prior to reaching the trailhead we were rewarded to a great view that included Middle Mountain, just prior to reaching state land. The small parking area is on your right and includes a kiosk as well as a trail register. The trail ascends the whole way until just before the lookout. The trail levels briefly as you approach the Middle Mountain Lookout at 0.5 miles. The view ahead of you includes part of Middle Mountain (hence the name). Don't confuse this view with the Middle Mountain Vista on Middle Mountain, 1.6 miles to the east along the Finger Lakes Trail.
Middle Mountain Lookout on Mary Smith Hill
We had planned to also hike to the Middle Mountain Vista, which is accessed from the same small parking area on Mary Smith Hill Road. It's a 1.1 mile hike up to the vista. When we reached the lookout on Mary Smith Hill, Scrappy threw up and I knew her tough hiking was over for the day. So I decided we would check out Big Pond and Alder Lake before heading home and save the vista for another time.
Official DEC campsite along Mary Smith Hill Road
We did notice a official campsite with a yellow DEC camp here disc across the parking area to the north of the trail. We also attempted to drive north on Mary Smith Hill Road to see how bad it was. I drove 0.2 miles to another official campsite at a sharp left turn and turned around. The road was becoming rougher and I didn't want to ruin my car.
Directions from Hike #2: Head south on Holiday-Berry Brook Road. Veer left on spur road that leads past Beaverkill State Campground. Veer right over Covered Bridge. Turn left on Beaverkill Road to Lew Beach. Turn left on Mary Smith Hill Road. Follow road about three miles to small parking area on your right.
Hike #4: Exploring Big Pond
Date: May 5, 2010
Length of hike: a few hundred feet
Location: Middle Mountain Wild Forest in the Catskills
Trailhead #1: Small parking area off Big Pond Road
Trailhead #1 Coordinates: N42 02.560 W74 43.600
Trailhead #2: Small parking area on Big Pond Road
Trailhead #1 Coordinates: N42 02.621 W74 43.665
Name of Trails: Finger Lakes Trail, Touch Me Not Trail
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Hike Elevation Gain: n/a
Trail Conditions: n/a
Features: Scenic view at pond
Next we drove to Big Pond so I could get some pictures and so Scrappy could take a dip. There is a small parking area on the right, prior to reaching the pond via a short dirt access road. There is an accessible trail that leads to some primitive campsites on the left and the main Finger Lakes Trail that leads to Alder Lake on the right. There is a kiosk & register here.
Small parking area on access road off Big Pond Road
We then went to the small parking area that is on Big Pond, where the Finger Lakes Trail first reaches the road. The FLT follows Big Pond Road for 0.1 miles. The pond is worth a short visit. A great spot for a picnic. What a great view! Scrappy jumped in and took a short swim (with me holding her leash still).
Big Pond
Directions from Hike #3: Head south on Mary Smith Hill Road back to Lew Beach. Turn left on Beaverkill Road aka County Route 54. At a big right bend, turn left on Big Pond Road (look for Little Pond Campground signs). Pass Little Pond State Campground on your left and continue straight. Soon there is a dirt access road on your right and 0.1 further north is a small parking area at Big Pond.
Hike #5: Alder Lake
Date: May 5, 2010
Length of hike: 0.3 miles
Location: Balsam Lake Mountain Wild Forest in the Catskills
Trailhead: Alder Lake Parking Area
Trailhead Coordinates: N42 02.986 W74 40.932
Name of Trails: Finger Lakes Trail, Alder Lake Loop Trail
Hike Difficulty: Easy
Hike Elevation Gain: a few feet
Trail Conditions: gravel
Features: Scenic view at lake, ruins of old lodge/mansion
The last place we explored was Alder Lake. I wanted to update my pictures of the old lodge, since it was removed since my last visit. We only walked down from the parking area to the ruins and then down to the lake. We crossed the dam bridge and explored a bit along the shore or should I say Scrappy jumped into the lake. We also explored the ruins a bit before leaving. There were five other cars in the parking area and someone camping prior to the parking area.
View from inside of the Coykendall Mansion ruins of Alder Lake
This is was only spot we saw signs of other people on this hiking trip. There was a couple fishing on the lake. What a scenic place. No wonder Samuel Coykendall built a mansion here.
Directions from Hike #4: Head south on Big Pond Road. Turn left on County Route 54 aka Beaverkill Road. Turn left onto Alder Creek Road aka County Route 54. Veer right/right onto Alder Lake access road to parking area.
| CNY Hiking HOME PAGE | Our 2010 Hikes | Catskill Forest Preserve | FLT Eastern/Catskill Section |
contact CNY HIKING by email at contact@cnyhiking.com
(c) 2006-today CNY Hiking - All rights reserved. Any use of information from this site without permission is strictly forbidden.
ShareThis
