This week we will hike through Conklin Gully in the High Tor Wildlife Management Area.

This is a change to the original spring hike schedule, but we think the views of the Gully and the waterfall will make up for the inconvenience.

The hike will follow a portion of the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. The Climbers will climb 700 feet up from Rt 245 on the Bristol Branch main Yellow trail, and will join the Blue trail for a traverse over to the Conklin Gully. The Tourists and Naturalists will start on Parish Rd and follow the Blue trail across the Gully, past the lean-to and will continue west on the blue trail. When the tourists and naturalists meet the climbers, they will all return back along the blue trail to Parish Rd.

Let’s meet at the parking area on Rt 245 about 0.3miles from Rt 21. The Tourists and Naturalists will carpool to Parish Hill Rd and a smaller parking lot at the head of the blue trail. After the hike we will gather at the Middletown Tavern at the other end of Naples Village (on Rte. 21 just north of the juncture with NYS Rte. 53) at about 6:15 to cool down and for socializing.

From Naples, proceed north on Rt 21. Turn right on Rt 245. The parking lot is on the right parallel to the road.

To get to Parish Hill Rd, go right out of the parking lot and follow 245 for 1.5 miles. Take the first right on Parish Hill Rd. Follow Parish Hill Rd for half a mile. The parking lot is about 0.1mile off the road on the right (at the 3rd left turn on Parish Hill) at the High Tor gate.