7970 Shuart Rd
Prattsburgh, NY 14873
USA
The fourth hike in our Bristol Hills Branch series will be called the up and down hike.The longest climb on this section will be 300 feet in elevation over half a mile, but there are two of those plus a third climb of about 150 feet. So this hike is a challenge to select a sections that are less steep, so you will find that the hikes are a little shorter than usual, allowing some time for catching our breath.
All hikers will meet at Access Pt 15 on CR 77. This is the same spot that we meet last month.
The Naturalists and Tourists will carpool to Williams Rd to the north. This hike starts with a short step descent from the road, followed by a half mile of uphill. A downhill section through woods and down shared driveway will cross CR 74 and follow Presler Rd into the Bud Valley Campground. This is the targeted end of the Naturalist hike and cars will be pre-staged here. Based on the interest of the hikers, and the time, the Naturalists can explore the campground or continue on with the trail as it climbs to an abandoned road and another high point. The Tourists should check their watches at this high point and turn around to return to the campground.
Meanwhile, the Climbers will leave CR 77 and head north on the BHB. The trail immediately starts a climb to about 1600′ and to open views to the north. After crossing a creek, the trail turns west to follow an abandoned road between fields and descends to the campground. Continue to follow the campground driveway north to CR 74. After crossing the road, we continue north along an old shared road. Follow the blazes and don’t miss the sharp left off the road. This hike ends at Williams Rd at the Naturalists cars. Hikers intent on completing all of the BHB trail should turn right and follow the road to the next driveway where the trail enters the woods to the left. We will continue the trail at this point after hunting season.
Following the hikes we will need to find all of the cars and then return to Naples for a social.
Directions:
From Springwater (and Wayland, N Cohocton and Naples): Take Rt 15 South to Wayland. At the stop light, turn left and follow Rt 21 through North Cohocton (take a left at the stop sign) to the south end of Naples. At the stop sign, turn right onto NY 53S for 12.1 miles. Turn left onto Waldo Rd. Continue straight onto CR 77 (Shuart Rd). In 2.3 miles, parking is on the right hand shoulder just past the “Pulteney” sign.
From Bath: Take Exit 37 from I86 (NY 17) for NY 53. Head north on NY 53 for 8.8 miles. Turn right onto Bean Station Rd and take the first left (in 0.4 miles) on Muck Rd. At the end of Muck Rd, turn right on Shuart Rd. Parking is on the right in 1.6 miles.
Directions to Williams Rd: Head west on CR 77. Stay on Cr 77 (turns to right) at Waldo Rd, and continue past Flynn Rd. The next right is Trant Rd which continues straight onto Williams Rd. The trail head is 0.3 miles up on Williams Rd.