All hikers will start at Access Pt 4 (A) and hike eastward. Based on time, groups will turn around at the three road crossings B, C or D.

Welcome back to the Finger Lakes Trail. This Sunday we will return to the Bully Hill State Forest for a hike on the main Finger Lakes Trail to enjoy another fall hike before the regular hunting season starts.

Note: Bow season is open, so an orange vest and hat are recommended.

All hikers will meet at Access 4 on Bush Rd.  Shoulder parking is available here, just before the seasonal road starts. We will split into three groups based on the desired distance and will do an out and back hike.  On the way back, we will stop at the Bully Hill lean-to for a picnic social (if weather permits). The lean-to is about 3/4 mile from the cars.

This hike is primarily uphill going out, with a total elevation change of 600 feet. The lean-to overlooks a gully that we will cross. In the spring the trail was quite wet, but drier conditions are expected this weekend.

The Naturalists will hike to the first road crossing (B). They will turn around at that point and return to the lean-to for a social for a 2 mile hike (plus 0.7 miles after the picnic).

The Tourists will continue on to the second road. For some variety, they will then turn right on the road, and do a forest road walk back to the trail at B and the turn left to follow the trail back to the lean-to.  This will be a 3.6 mile hike out and back to the cars.

Finally, the Climbers will follow the trail all of the way to Kerr Rd (D). This will be a 4.4 mile hike out and back to the cars.  All hikers should keep track of the time to meet at the lean-to by 4:00.

Directions:

Since many hikers have never been to Bush Rd in Almond, NY, we will offer a caravan option from the parking lot behind the Firehall in Wayland.  Plan to meet at the parking lot at 1:05. We will leave promptly at 1:15. Because of COVID, we are not encouraging carpooling, but we can follow one another.

Meeting location in Wayland: From the intersection of NY 15, NY 21 and NY 63 in Wayland, head west on NY 63. At the Firehall, turn right the gas station and the Firehall to the public parking lot behind the firehall. From N Main St, you can enter the parking lot along the north side of the Belt in the Eye Diner.

From Wayland to the trailhead: Head south on NY 15. Turn right onto I-390, and take the next exit at NY-36 Dansville. Turn right onto NY-36 for 11.5 miles to Arkport, NY. At the light in Arkport, turn right onto West Ave. Just past the railroad and the building on the left, turn left onto CR 67 (Bishopville Rd). In 7 miles, turn left onto Bush Rd, a small dirt road.  It is less than half a mile up to the last house at the “Seasonal Rd” sign.  The trail enters the woods on the left (east) side of the road.

From Geneseo and Rochester: Take I-390 S to Exit 4 (NY 36 Dansville and Hornell). Turn right onto NY-36 for 11.1 miles to Arkport, NY. At the light in Arkport, turn right onto West Ave. Just past the railroad and the building on the left, turn left onto CR 67 (Bishopville Rd). In 7 miles, turn left onto Bush Rd, a small dirt road.  It is less than half a mile up to the last house at the “Seasonal Rd” sign.  The trail enters the woods on the left (east) side of the road.