Exploring the Bog Nature Trail in it’s Spring Glory! 

We are revisiting this trail in search of spring wildflowers! This hike will be on a section of the Bristol Hills Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail  (Map B3) and include the Bog Nature Trail Loop.  Most of the hike is in Urbana State Forest, Steuben County. The Nature Trail has been well documented in a 2003 Guide Book full of information on site history and unusual plants to be found here at different times of year. Read or download the guidebook or map (p. 3)  at Huckleberry Bog.

We will start from the trailhead on Bean Station Road, meeting at 1:45 for a 2 PM start.  Following the orange blazes, we will head south past the restored Covell Cemetery and the Evangeline Shelter then climb steadily uphill through a hemlock and oak woods to the state forest and onto the top of the plateau.  Tourists and Naturalists will go as far as the bog observation deck and then back track to Bean Station Road (~3miles total).  Climbers will continue on past the overlook and follow the Bog Nature Trail Loop clockwise returning to Bean Station Road by way of the blue blazed side trail and then the main trail (~4.5 miles total).

Social – Will be held at 70 N Main Street, Prattsburgh, Kelly’s family home.  Follow Bean Station Rd back to Route 53 and head North on Route 53 back to Prattsburgh.  At the blinking light in Prattsburgh, Chapel St, turn right.  Follow to stop sign and turn left onto North Main Street.   The house is a 2 story blue/grey colonial with a large red barn out back.  We will meet on the covered patio for a dish to pass (left side of the house behind fencing).

As a bonus you may have a tour of the horse carriage collection in the barn and/or the restored vintage Farmall Tractors!

Directions to Meeting Location   

From Springwater: Head south on NY 15 to Wayland. Turn left onto NY 21, Turn left in N Cohocton to stay on 21 into Naples. Turn right onto NY- 53. Stay on NY-53  through Prattsburgh. Follow the directions below.

From Prattsburgh, take NY- 53 South for 2.6 miles to Bean Station Road.  Turn east on Bean Station Road at the site of a large white warehouse for onions. Go 2.6 miles to the yellow trailhead sign on the right (south) side of the road at a little footbridge over the roadside ditch.  Park on the north side of the road – this is important as this is a narrow road and parking on both sides could cause a traffic hazard. 

From Geneseo and Dansville: Take I-390 South to I-86East. In 1 mile, take exit 37 for NY-53. Turn left onto NY-53 and head north for 8.9 miles. Turn right onto Bean Station Road. Continue with the directions From Prattsburgh.