This Sunday we’ll follow the Bristol Hills branch of the Finger Lakes Trail from where it crosses Brink Hill Road in Naples to the bottom of Parrish Gully. The trail is well marked with orange blazes, and is wooded all the way. We’ll meet at the parking lot where the High Tor trail from Bassett Road meets Brink Hill Road and walk uphill on the road to where the FLT goes off to the left. The trail soon meets the stream that eventually flows down through Parrish Gully, and we’ll follow it for the rest of the hike – though it does disappear deep into the Gully while we stay up on the rim. The stream here is very picturesque and it’s worth lingering a little to explore and take photographs. Eventually, near the top of Parrish Gully, the FLT crosses the broad path that goes down the gully. If we are running early and it’s a clear day, we can walk up the Parrish Gully trail to the lookout over the Naples Valley and then double back, otherwise we’ll turn right here and follow the blue blazes downhill to the DEC parking lot at the bottom of Parrish Hill Road. The views into the gully as we go down this trail are also very impressive.

We will shuttle some cars to the Parrish Gully parking lot before the hike.

This is a short hike at 3.2 miles, but it’s likely to be muddy with snow melt, and the last stretch will be very steep. Good boots are recommended, and walking sticks. The weather in March is unpredictable, so layers of clothing that go from chilly to warm are a good idea.

Climbers: You will walk the trail as described.

Tourists and Naturalists: you may hike down the trail to the stream and explore that area, then walk back to Brink Hill Road.

The social following the hike will take place at the Neapolitan Pizzeria, 120 N.Main Street, Naples.

Directions: From downtown Naples, follow Rt. 21 South to Joseph’s Wayside fruit stand (closed unfortunately for the winter) and stay on the road as it turns into Rt 53. Follow Rt. 53 south for about a mile and then turn left on Italy Valley Road. After about 2 miles turn left onto Bassett Road, and then turn left again after another 1.6 miles onto Brink Hill Road. The Hi Tor trail head parking lot is a mile or so up the hill on the left. There is another trail head parking lot a little further uphill – don’t use that one! It’s just as good, but I have to choose one of them to meet at!