When:
July 25, 2017 @ 5:00 pm
2017-07-25T17:00:00-04:00
2017-07-25T17:15:00-04:00
Where:
East Park Entrance
Portageville
NY
USA
An opportunity for a 7/25/2017 Tuesday hike, at Letchworth State Park (eastside of the park), exists for ST hikers to join the members of Southern Tier Greenway Hiking group (STGH). STGH is made up of hikers who hike the southern section of the Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (GVGSP aka GVG) and many more locations. ST has hiked with some of these hikers during the Friends of Genesee Valley Greenway (FOGVG) annual event held in early November. And some STGH hikers have joined-in on some ST hikes. The information about this Letchworth eastside hike is as follows.
Southern Tier Greenway Hiking – Letchworth S.P. hike (eastside of the park) – Tuesday July 25th at 5:00 PM
>> Participants will meet at 5:00 PM near the Letchworth State Park entrance road defined as being on the eastside of the Genesee River (eastern portion of the park) near the southern end of Letchworth State Park, commonly referred to as the entrance road that leads to the “Parade Grounds” and sometimes referred to as “Letchworth S. P. Parade Grounds entrance”. This park road may have signage at the corner of NY Rt 436, referring to it as “E Parade Grounds Rd”. (Please see “Driving Directions” below, for further delineation of directions!)
>> Jim Pomeroy, a retired DEC fish and wildlife biologist and amateur geologist, will meet everyone at the east side (south end) of Letchworth State Park (on the entrance road just off NY Rt 436) and then lead them in a caravan to the starting location of the hike which will be around Letchworth S.P. Trail #7 (nearly adjacent the Parade Grounds). After parking their cars, he will lead the participants on a southward walk along the east rim of the gorge towards the Middle Falls, and then return. (Trail #7 is a shared trail, it is shared by the Finger Lakes Trail – Letchworth Branch and by the Genesee Valley Greenway.) There are some spectacular views of the Letchworth Gorge and the Middle Falls. The main path does have some steps and grades, but the whole thing should be doable for most people. Hiking poles are strongly suggested. Jim, being the great leader and teacher that he is, will provide participants with a most interesting and educational experience. This is a great hiking opportunity—don’t miss out!! It would be best not to bring dogs as we are walking along the edge of the gorge, but use your own judgment.
Driving Directions are as follows:
From the east & north: Follow NY Rt 436 w (from Dansville & Nunda areas) ; west of Nunda on the right you will pass Oakland Rd, then Short Tract Rd, then River Rd, then the next road on the right will be Portageville Rd & the park entrance road (these are one & the same directly off NY Rt 436, but these two roads quickly {read immediately} bifurcate such that Portageville Rd is to the left and the park entrance road is to the right). Both these roads eventually come to a dead end or turnaround, albeit the park road (when not closed for the winter season) is much longer than Portageville Rd. Park along the edge of the park road as the caravan meet point. (This park road may have signage at the corner of NY Rt 436, referring to it as “E Parade Grounds Rd”.)
Note for clarity: This is the park entrance road that eventually leads to “Cabin Area D” & the “Parade Grounds” as well as to the very remote “Cabin Area E”. Also please note, when traveling westward on NY Rt 436, the right turn for Portageville Rd / park entrance road is shortly before NY Rt 436 passes under a railroad bridge as NY Rt 436 heads down hill toward the hamlet of Portageville. If you pass under the railroad bridge you’ve gone too far on NY Rt 436. (Further note: Portageville Rd should not be confused with Portage St; Portage St is NY Rt 436 as it heads westward and down hill into the hamlet of Portageville.)
– – Additional driving directions, for those hikers who may want them, can be found on the
ST website in a previous article, enumerating directions from both Dansville & Mt Morris to the Parade Grounds. – –
From the south: Follow NY Rt 19 to Fillmore and then follow NY Rt 19A to Portageville. Turn right onto NY Rt 436. Cross over the bridge that spans the Genesee River and continue up the hill. Follow NY Rt 436 and go under a railroad overpass. On your right will be a park sign. Just slightly up the road, you turn left off NY Rt 436 onto Portageville Rd and the park road (initially these are one & the same directly off NY Rt 436, but these two roads quickly {read immediately} bifurcate such that Portageville Rd is to the left and the park entrance road is to the right). Park along the edge of the park entrance road as the caravan meet point. (This park road may have signage at the corner of NY Rt 436, referring to it as “E Parade Grounds Rd”.)
In this picture from Google Maps, you can see a car with a trailer coming out of the park entrance onto NY-436. This is where you should turn in.
Please note that the area consisting of the park entrance road (at Portageville Rd & NY Rt 436 aka Portage St) and immediate surrounds can be a bit confusing, in part due to an additional short spur between Portageville Rd & NY Rt 436. This short spur intersects NY Rt 436 at approx a 90 degree angle, vs the acute angle formed by NY Rt 436 & Portageville Rd / the park entrance road. google maps view
**** FOR ANY POSSIBLE UPDATES/POSTPONEMENTS/CANCELLATIONS/ETC REGARDING THIS HIKE – PLEASE CHECK THE FOGVG FACEBOOK PAGE.
** It should also be noted, subsequent to the hike, usually within a few days, often photos of the hike are posted on the FOGVG Facebook page.
