NOTICE: At a prehike on Wednesday, we were met with 18 inches of snow at the park. The FLT trail and the Yellow trail were well used giving an easy base for hiking most places. Skiers and Snow shoers will be able to go off trail on a solid crust which hikers would break through. So, we expect a good trek for all.

Ontario County Park provides hiking, biking, cross country skiing, fishing (no hunting), and camping or picnicking opportunities depending on the season. The park contains the highest point in Ontario County, and as a result it often has long lasting snow cover. So bring your skis, your snowshoes and your hiking boots and we will take advantage of our winter weather!

Please join us at the west parking along the main park road near the start of the Bristol Branch of the Finger Lakes Trail. Come early enough to get your equipment ready.  We will start the hike at 2:00PM.

There are many trails within the park, although the bike trails are difficult to follow in the winter. The following planned hikes may change based on the weather and the snow cover on Sunday.

The Climbers will follow the Bristol Hills Branch of the FLT out to the overlook and then around to the south to the FLT sign-in box. At that point, we will turn around, and follow the yellow trail back through intersections 13, 11, 8, 7, 6, 5 and 4 to the park road.  Crossing the road, we will cross the fields to the purple trail back to the cars. Climbers are invited on snow shoes and hiking boots. Poles will be helpful at slippery locations.

The Naturalists will also follow the Bristol Hills Branch past intersection 10  to intersection 8. Then turn left to follow the yellow trail through intersections 7. At intersection 6, the group has the choice between staying on the yellow trail or exploring the upper sections of the red trail.  Back at the road, the brown trail on the left of the road, or the purple on the right will be followed back to the cars.

Meanwhile Skiers will also head out to the overlook, but will turn north to follow the park trail though intersection 1 and on to the campgrounds. From there, we will cross the field to the pond, check out the red trail and head back to the cars on the brown trail or back across the fields.  Conditions may dictate changes to this route.

There will be no planned social following this hike. If you are hungry, Brews and Brats, and Hollerhorn Distilling plan to be open Sunday according to their Facebook pages.

Directions: The easiest route to the park is to take NY 64 to Bristol Springs and turn west on Gannett Hill Rd.  There is a sign indicating Ontario County Park.  At the top of the hill turn right onto  South Gannett Hill Road.  The  park entrance is straight ahead.    Follow the park road for about .5 miles to our meeting place which is the parking area along the park road near the information kiosk at the Finger Lakes Trail trail-head.