This 1.1 mile one way hike to the "hang glider view point" on Jones Hill is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of 664 feet. This hike utilizes the Skyline Trail, a dirt road and the North Country National Scenic Trail.  Before doing this hike, you should take the short 1/4 mile hike to Tinker Falls along the Tinker Falls Trail.

This hike begins from the Tinker Falls parking area located off NY 91, south of Apulia. The GPS coordinates of the parking area is N42 46.820 W76 02.182 for those who have a GPS devise in their vehicle. There is another parking area located just 300 feet further south along NY 91.

***Please DO NOT PARK along the shoulder of NY 91***

From the parking area (elevation 1260 feet) cross NY 91 (toward the left, away from the Tinker Falls Trail) heading toward an old gate. You will see an old dirt road and the orange blazes of the Skyline Trail immediately. Turn right and follow the Skyline Trail as it ascends sometimes steeply up the old road. At 0.3 miles (1414 feet) the Skyline Trail veers right and the dirt road veers left.  Follow the dirt road (no blazes). The Skyline Trail ends in 0.1 mile at the North Country Trail near the top of Tinker Falls.

Continuing to ascend along the old dirt road. At 0.5 miles the North Country Trail (blue blazes) comes in from the right (1710 feet) and follows the old dirt road. At 0.7 miles (1817 feet) the NCT turns right off the old dirt road, continue your hike following the dirt road. At 0.9 miles the NCT crosses the dirt road (1898 feet). Continue to ascend the old dirt road. At 1.0 miles the North Country Trail joins the service road from the right. At 1.1 miles reach the view point from the hang glider spot on Jones Hill. The elevation here is 1911 feet. 

The views are some of the best in Onondaga County and are some of the best along the North Country National Scenic Trail. This is a great place to drop a blanket and have a picnic. To return to the parking area simply retrace your steps.  Look below for a map, a few pictures and a video.

You can also follow the orange blazed Skyline Trail to it's junction with the blue blazed North Country Trail. Here you turn left on the NCT and follow it all the way to the Jones Hill Vista also known as the "hang glider spot". You can also take the Tinker Falls Trail, behind the waterfall and steeply, via rock steps, up to the junction of the North Country Trail. From there turn left and follow the blue blazed North Country Trail to the Jones Hill view.

If it's too crowded at the NY 91 parking areas, then may we recommend parking at the Labrador Hollow Nature Trail parking area and taking the orange blazed Skyline Trail from there. It will add another 1.85 miles (one way) to your hike, but you probably won't see anyone until you get closer to the North Country Trail.

Guide to the Hiking Trails at Morgan Hill State Forest includes Labrador Hollow Unique Area **ONLY $5** Created by CNY Hiking, this guide comes to you as a pdf file that you can either print out or send it to your smart phone or Kindle. You'll have maps & info on hikes at Morgan Hill State Forest at your finger tips. Use the Buy Now button below and we'll send you the pdf file via email usually within 24 hours of payment.

Orange blazed Skyline Trail following the old service road