Please join us on Sunday June 1 for a visit to Rock City State Forest, a geological tour de force in the Southern Tier town of Little Valley, Cattaraugus County. This requires a longer car trip than most of our hikes, but we predict you will find it worth the extra travel time. Where else can you hike surrounded by enormous slabs of quartzite conglomerate rock formed in the Devonian period, some 400 million years ago?  The core section of the site, called Little Rock City, is a playground of rock-formed passageways, tunnels and passageways with out of the ordinary rocks, trees and forest plants.  The main Finger Lakes Trail passes through the Rock City area, and we will hike a portion of the Little Rock City Loop Trail, which passes through this geological wonderland.  The trails are mostly fairly level and well-marked, so walking will be easy but leisurely because there is so much to see. For more detail and photos of the site, visit https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/little-rock-city-nature-loop-trail

Because of the longer-than-usual distance for this hike, plan to spend a good part of the day getting there, hiking and getting home. We suggest carpooling, and have designated two collection spots for carpools – one on Route 5&20 near Interstate 390 Exit 10 (Avon) for those coming from points north of the Thruway, and one in the Village of Wayland, near Interstate 390 Exit 2 (Wayland) for those coming from Livingston and Ontario Counties. See directions below. Of course, you are also free to drive on your own or make your own car pool arrangements.

Also due to the long drive, we are suggesting a change to our usual Social schedule, asking everyone to bring their own picnic lunch to eat on the way down or before the hike, and to bring some finger food or dessert to share afterwards, before the drive home. There is only one picnic table at the site, so the after-hike Social will be along the lines of a tailgate party. Bring a lawn chair if you wish to sit.

Here is the day’s Schedule:

• North carpool group– meet at DEC Section 8 Headquarters, Avon at 10:45 for an 11 AM start to Rock City  
• South group– meet at Wayland Post Office at 11 for an 11:15 AM start to Rock City
• Arrive and park at top of Little Rock City Road between 1:15 and 1:45 for a brief picnic – bring your own lunch and beverage. There is a port-a-potty at the parking area, but no running water, so bring plenty of your own water.
• Starting at 2PM, Climbers will take an approximately 2 mile out and back hike to the south from the main Loop Trail, followed by an exploration of the central rock metropolis for a total of about 3 miles.
• Starting at 2PM, Tourists/Naturalistswill take an approximately 1-1.5 mile hike through the central rock city area and the perimeter area.  The path is well marked, so hikers can move at their own pace, with frequent stops to examine and photograph the giant stones, mosses, leather-like lichens, wildflowers, and remarkable trees supporting themselves on improbable exposed root structures.
• 4-4:30 PM  Return to the parking area for an after-hike social consisting of finger foods only – bring your own beverages and some finger food to share to fortify you for the drive home.
• Those looking to stop for dinner on the way home can plan to meet at the Sunrise Restaurant in Dansville or elsewhere along the way.

 Important Travel Details:

1. PLEASE NOTE:Do not confuse Rock City State Forest another site with a similar geology and name, Rock City Park. It is a private commercial park with an entrance fee, gift shop, etc. We are going to the State-owned Rock City State Forest in Little Valley, not Rock City Park in Olean.  For directions through Google, type in Little Rock City Loop Trail.
2. Our destination is north of the Town of Salamanca, and access to the driveway and parking area is via Hungry Hollow Road, a mostly dirt road. You can approach from the east or the west on Hungry Hollow Road, but it is significantly easier (and shorter) to approach from the east. If your GPS directions send you around to the west side of Salamanca and Whig Street, ignore them and approach from the east side on Route 219, running between Salamanca and Ellicottville.
3. If you opt to take Route 86 all the way west from Hornell rather than the scenic route on smaller roads, you may encounter a detour on westbound 86 between Olean and Salamanca.  The detour is close to 86 and straight, but it may slow you down a bit. Alternative is to get off at Hinsdale and go across country toward Franklinville and Great Valley.
4. If you get lost or expect to be late, call Saralinda at 585-705-1865

Directions: 

TO NORTH CARPOOL SITE:  DEC Region 8 Headquarters, 6274 East Avon-Lima Road, Avon.  This is about 1.3 miles to the east of I390 Exit 10 along Routes 5&20, on the south side.  North Carpool Site is at 42.903155, -77.669295 

From North Carpool Site to Rock City, proceed southwest on  I390, to  Mount Morris Exit 7. From Mount Morris take Route 408S to Nunda, 437W  to Portageville, then Griffith Road west to Main Street in Pike, where you take a left and keep going on Dewitt Road (CR36 S) which becomes Fairview Road. At Fairview, take 243W to 98S toward Franklinville, Sugartown and Great Valley. In Great Valley, merge onto 219 South. In about 4 miles, turn right onto Hungry Hollow Road. Follow Hungry Hollow Road going northwest about 4 miles and turn left at the gate to Little Rock City Road. Go up the hill another 1.75 miles to the parking lot at the top of the hill. Total time – about 2.5 to 2.75 hours.    Destination at Rock City Loop is 42.208359, -78.707986

TO SOUTH CARPOOL SITE: next to Wayland Post Office, 23 East Naples Street, Wayland. This is about 1.8 miles north of Exit 2 on Route 390. Pull in to the right of the Post Office and park toward the rear of the lot.  South Car Pool Site is at 42.567710, -77.590258

From South Carpool Site to Rock City State Forest:  take Route 21 South to North Hornell, then Route 86 W to Exit 21, Route 219. Follow Route 219 North into Salamanca on Parkway Drive (right), Wildwood Ave (right) and Central Ave (left), a.k.a. Pittsburgh-Buffalo Highway. In 2.2 miles, turn right on Hungry Hollow Road. Follow Hungry Hollow Road going northwest about 4 miles and turn left at the gate to Little Rock City Road. Go up the hill another 1.75 miles to the parking lot at the top of the hill. Total time – about 2 to 2.25 hours.    Destination at Rock City Loop is 42.208359, -78.707986

Alternative route for last leg – more direct from Hinsdale, but slower roads:  Take Hinsdale Exit 27. Take Route 16 North toward Franklinville, turn left on County Road 18 toward Humphrey, then Willoughby. go to the left at CR 87 toward Peth. At Peth, go left on Route 219 S.  In about 1 mile, turn right on Hungry Hollow Road. Follow Hungry Hollow Road going northwest about 4 miles and turn left at the gate to Little Rock City Road. Go up the hill another 1.75 miles to the parking lot at the top of the hill. Total time – about 2 to 2.25 hours.    Destination at Rock City Loop is 42.208359, -78.707986