We are returning to our monthly series on the Bristol Hills Branch (BHB) of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT). This Sunday and in May, we will climb up out of Italy Valley and cross Hi Tor overlooking Canandaigua Lake. These two hikes are each over 5.5 miles, but don’t worry, we are planning hikes of various lengths so everyone is welcome to enjoy the trails.

This section of the BHB connects High Tor to Italy Hill State Forest with road walks and across private property.  From the top of the hill, we will stop to enjoy a spectacular view of Italy Valley to the south.

The Climbers will start on Italy Valley Road at 1010′ above sea level. We will cross a narrow field and then start climbing. All hikers will need to watch for the orange blazes and orange FLT discs to ensure we stay on the trail as it goes on and off a logging road. In just under a mile, we will climb 800 feet, to where the trail turns south and more closely follows the contours so we only climb another 200 feet over the next two miles. Just past the view clearing, we will turn north and exit the woods onto Wood Hill Rd. Following this seasonal road, we will return most of our altitude gain until we reach Bassett Rd and our waiting cars. If hikers want to continue on the road walk up Bassett Rd and Brink Hill Rd to Access Point 7 where next month’s hike will start, a car will meet them at the end of the hike.

The Tourists will enjoy the same hike as the climbers but in reverse. This climb up Wood Hill Rd is only 700 feet over a mile. Once we leave Wood Hill Rd, the last 2.5 miles is all down hill. Bring a granola bar and enjoy a snack and a drink of water at the overlook at the top.  The Climbers and Tourists will need to swap car keys when they pass each other.

The Naturalists will hike the back side of High Tor, starting from the Bassett Rd parking area. This hike is on DEC maintenance roads which are wide and fairly flight (about 200 feet over a mile walk into the park. The Naturalists will follow the road to the left and continue for a mile until they reach the orange trail. A left turn onto the orange trail will bring the hikers to a pretty pond with the Howard Beye memorial bench to relax and enjoy the wildlife. From the pond, return on the orange trail back to the maintenance road. Turn right and continue down to the parking lot.

 All hikers should meet at the Bassett Rd parking area in High Tor by 1:45 to give the tourists and climbers time to car pool to the starts of the hike. Tourists will go left on Bassett Rd and drive to Wood Hill Rd (the second left) and park on the shoulder of Bassett Rd.  Climbers will continue on Bassett Rd past Wood Hill and turn left on Italy Valley Rd. In 3 miles, there are wooden horse fences on each side of the road. Just past the bridge across the creek, there is parking on the left at the trail head.Climbers will want to give their car keys to the Tourists when they meet them on the trail, so they can bring the cars back to Wood Hill Rd.

Following the hike, please join us for an optional social at the Redwood Inn in Naples. Follow Bassett Rd and Italy Valley Rd west to NY-53.  Turn right toward Naples. At the hardware store, turn left onto NY-21 and the Redwood inn is on the left.

Directions:

From Wayland: Head east on NY Route 21 toward N Cohocton and Naples.  Turn left at the stop sign in N Cohocton to stay on Rt 21.  At the stop sign in Naples, turn right onto NY 53.  Follow Rt 53 for 1.3 miles, and turn left onto Italy Valley Rd (Co Rd 21).  After 2.1 miles, turn left onto Bassett Rd.  The parking area is on the left after the first curve (about 0.3 miles) up Bassett

From Naples: Take Main St (Rt 21) South through the town of Naples.  Continue of Rt 53 when Rt 21 turns right.  Follow Rt 53 for 1.3 miles, and turn left onto Italy Valley Rd (Co Rd 21).  After 2.1 miles, turn left onto Basset Rd.  The parking area is on the left about 0.3 miles up Basset.