This is the last section of the Great Eastern Trail as the trail makes its way to its northern terminus at the junction of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail near Moss Hill Lean To in South Bradford State Forest.  This section of trail climbs nearly 900 feet overall in elevation. 

Wixon Road where GET leaves the road

This section begins on the corner of Wixon Road and Meads Creek Road aka County Route 26.  Follow Wixon Road over Meads Creek and in 0.2 miles the trail turns right off the road to follow the edge of a field (no blazes or markings on 4/13/2010).  Follow the edge of the field with views of the hills to your right and at 0.35 miles reach oranges blazes to turn right and continue following the edge of the field.

The GET Rock in Meads Creek State Forest

Soon you'll turn left into the woods with a view of Meads Creek.  Shortly after entering the woods you'll enter Meads Creek State Forest.  At 0.55 miles on your right is a boulder that someone has inscribed "Great Eastern Trail" and we'll call it the "GET Rock".

Approaching a bridge along the blue blazed Meads Creek Trail

At 1.1 miles reach the blue blazed Meads Creek Trail that leads 0.8 miles to a parking area along Meads Creek off County Route 26.  There is a nice bridge over one of the streams the trail crosses.  From this point the Great Eastern Trail begins a steady ascent for the next 3/4 mile.  The volunteers that built this section of trail have cut the trail into the side of this steep slope and have kept the grades at no more than 10%.

Gas Pipeline right of way

At 2.35 miles the trail leaves Meads Creek State Forest and enters private property.  The area looks like it has been logged recently.  The trail reaches a gas line right of way and enters South Bradford State Forest at 3.15 miles.  Soon the trail reaches a scenic stream with a few small waterfalls and crosses the stream.  The trail crosses over a rock pile at 3.4 miles and climbs gently toward Bailey Road.

Small waterfall next to the GET in South Bradford State Forest

Rock Pile in South Bradford State Forest

The trail crosses the dirt Bailey Road at 3.85 miles.  There is parking available along the side of the road.  The trail will soon begin its final steep descent toward Moss Hill Lean To and the northern terminus of the Great Eastern Trail at the junction of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail.

Bailey Road in South Bradford State Forest

You'll notice that again the trail had to be cut into the side of the steep slope that the trail descends.  The trail work includes a few rock steps as you make your way down the slope.  The blazes ended short of the stream with Moss Hill Lean To in view (as of 4/13/2010).  There were flags where the GET will meet the FLT/NCT. 

Rock steps near Moss Hill Lean To

After 1800 miles, this is the end of the Great Eastern Trail at its northern terminus.  You can turn left and follow the FLT/NCT 1.7 miles to Moss Hill Road, County Route 17 plus the small hamlet of South Bradford.  Or continue west to Pennsylvania.  You can turn right onto the FLT/NCT and head east to Watkins Glen, Finger Lakes National Forest, Ithaca and Cortland.  You can even head toward the Adirondacks via the North Country Trail or the Catskills via the Finger Lakes Trail. 

The GET under construction near Moss Hill Lean To

One could follow the Finger Lakes Trail east to its terminus at the Long Path in the Catskills and then head south on the Long Path to reach the Appalachian Trail.  From the AT, you could head south and meet back up with the GET in southwestern Virginia.  What a loop hike that would make!!!

Look below for a map as well as detailed description on this section.  Check out the video below of this section of the Great Eastern Trail.  Thanks for visiting our website! 

Mile	Elevation	Great Eastern Trail Description (follow orange blazes)
0.0	1050 feet	The section begins at the corner of Wixon Road and Meads Creek Road.  Follow Wixon Road across Meads Creek.
0.2	1071 feet	Trail turns right off road and follows edge of field in PRIVATE PROPERTY.  Views of hills.  No parking.
0.35	1071 feet	Turn right and continue to follow edge of field.
0.4	1056 feet	Turn left and enter woods.  View of Meads Creek.
0.45	1064 feet	Enter Meads Creek State Forest.
0.55	1070 feet	GET Rock
1.1	1140 feet	Junction of the blue blazed Meads Creek Trail that leads 0.8 miles to parking area on Meads Creek Rd.  GET turns left.
2.35	1579 feet	Leave Meads Creek State Forest and enter PRIVATE PROPERTY.
3.15	1658 feet	Gas line ROW.  Enter South Bradford State Forest.
3.3	1672 feet	Trail crosses scenic stream with a few small waterfalls.
3.4	1691 feet	Trail crosses over rock pile.
3.85	1812 feet	Trail crosses Bailey Road.  Parking along side of road.
3.95	1816 feet	Start of descent toward Moss Hill Lean To.
4.7	1388 feet	Cross stream and soon pass nearby Moss Hill Lean To.
4.8	1408 feet	Reach the white blazes of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail.  End of Great Eastern Trail.

 

Bridge along the blue blazed Meads Creek Trail

Moss Hill Lean To