Last Summer and Fall, the Bristol Hills hike series was systematically moving north up the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail, one section each month. Then hunting season interfered and we needed to skip a section that was closed for the season. Now we are finally returning to the section north of Prattsburg to a section of the trail entirely in the woods.We will walk through a wide variety of forest including an active sugarbush, a beach forest, and a nature white pine forest. 

This hike is a one-way hike so please expect some car shuffling. We are planning three routes. The Naturalists will hike the northern 1.6 miles, the Tourists will hike the southern 3.1 miles, while the Climbers to hike the entire 4.7 miles. There are no major climbs on this section, although the southern section has several down-slopes of 100 feet, followed by a matching climb back up.

Following the hike please join us for a potluck dinner social at the park in Prattsburg Town Square. Please bring a dish to pass and your own beverage. In case of rain, there is a small shelter at the park.

Logistics: Amy, Saralinda and Linda and I will position cars at the north end of the hike, where the Naturalists and Climbers will need rides back to their cars. We will meet at 3:20 on Pulteney Rd, drop off two cars and then drive to the Prattsburg Town Square. All other hikers should meet at the Prattsburg Town Square at 3:45. From the town square, we will car pool to the start of the hikes. We will only have shoulder parking at the hike, so minimizing the number of cars will be helpful. I am also hoping that a couple of Tourists can bring two sets of car keys, so that the Naturalist hikers can drive tourist cars to the mid-point of the hike where they will be positioned for the tourist’s return ride.

All hikers should meet on Rt 53 in Prattsburg at 3:45. The Naturalists will carpool to the Tuttle Rd crossing (about 7 minute drive), while all other hikers will carpool to Browns Corners Rd.

Directions:

From Springwater: Take NY 15 south to Wayland. At the light, turn left onto NY 21 for 8 miles through N. Cohocton to Naples. At the stop sign in Naples, turn right onto NY 53. It is 10.5 miles on NY 53 to Prattsburg. Park on the left side near the park before you get to Mechanic St. 

From Naples: Take N Main St south toward Wayside Market.  Continue straight onto NY 53. It is 10.5 miles on NY 53 to Prattsburg. Park on the left side near the park before you get to Mechanic St. 

From Geneseo and Dansville (via 390): Take I 390 South toward Corning. Merge onto I 86 East for 1 mile. Take exit 37 for NY-53. Turn left onto NY 53 North. Follow 53N for 11.4 miles to Prattsburgh. Park on the right side by the park just after Mechanic St.

Tourist and Climbers directions to Access 12: Head south on NY 53, and take the first left on Mechanic St. Turn left to follow the main road onto Fairgrounds Rd. Take the first left onto Browns Corners Rd (CR 75). In 0.2 miles, the road curves left. In about 0.7 miles, there is a sign for the Finger Lakes Trail and a gravel parking area on the right side.

Naturalists directions to Tuttle Rd: Head north on NY 53.Take the first right onto Chapel St, At the tee, turn left onto N Main St. In 2.9 miles turn right onto Tuttle Rd. In about a mile, there are signs for the Finger Lakes Trail. If you get to a left turn on Pizura Rd, you have gone too far. Park on the right side near the trail.