Next Sunday’s hike will take us to this Wildlife Management area run by the DEC Division of Fish and Wildlife for the purposes of conservation and recreation. A “tor” is by definition a hill or mound, therefore not much flatland for hikers. However, I have done my best to accommodate our 3 levels of hikers for this outing.

Meeting Place

Large parking area on Basset Rd. Naples. From Rt. 21 in Naples, heading south, bear left on Rt. 53.. In about .75 miles, turn left on County Rd. 21. aka Italy Valley Rd. Basset Rd is a left turn, about 2 miles east. The parking area is on the left, about .5 miles down.

Hiking Groups

All hikes are on shaded gravel forest roads which lead from the same point in the parking area.

Naturalists and Tourists will head north on the gravel road, soon passing through a gate. They will bear left and pass by two nice ponds, then head uphill on a gradual grade through the woods. The Naturalists can choose to turn around and return to the start at any point, as needed. After about 1 mile another gate is reached and the Orange Bristol Hills Branch of the FLT appears ahead, still on the gravel road. In about .5 miles the orange trail veers left into the woods, but hikers continue straight ahead on the truck trail. In a short distance the DEC lean to and overlook towards Canandaigua Lake appears. Unfortunately the view is limited by trees, but it is a good place to sit and rest for a bit. The return route is back down the same road for a total of 3 miles.

Climbers will take the road to the right after the gate and begin to ascend through the woods for about 1 mile. Eventually the road levels out quite nicely. Another gate is reached at which point the group will turn left and enjoy a nice downhill for about 1 mile to a lovely pond on the right. There is path along the shore if a closer look is desired. The gravel road continues uphill straight ahead to a gate at the intersection with the Orange trail. A right turn on the Orange trail followed by a straight ahead on the DEC road will bring the group to the lean to and overlook. Return route will be down hill via the gravel truck trail back to the parking area. Total trip is about 5 miles.

Social

Following the hike we will meet at Middletown Tavern on the corner of Main Street (Rt 21) and Clark St. (Co.Rd 36).