Brief Hike Description

This is a seven mile out-and-back hike rated strenuous due to steep ups. 

We will hike the Finger Lakes Trail in Watkins Glen State Park.

Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes, bring water and a snack or sandwich.

Start point is the public parking area at the intersection of  Franklin and 10th Streets in Watkins Glen.

Lunch is at Jerlando’s, corner of Franklin and 4th Street in Watkins Glen.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leader at the address above.

Check this site the morning of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.

Detailed Hike Description

The FLT runs right along the south rim of the gorge. For much of the way, Glen Creek runs 90 feet below you. Few visitors to this extremely popular New York park ever see this landscape from the south rim of the gorge.

Over millenia, the creek has carved out a dramatically steep gorge with many waterfalls and cataracts. Hucksters once marketed Watkins Glen as the 8th Wonder of the World. Hyperbole, perhaps, but the Glen is certainly worth the trip.

On this hike you’ll be treated to some geologic and visual delights. Dramatic sandstone and shale formations visible in the creek resulted from the deposits of an eon ago, and then were exposed by subsequent erosion. A large train trestle spans the gorge, and a couple of dams that were constructed to protect the village from spring flooding are evidence of man’s influence.

This hike is out-and-back and has steep uphill/downhill pitches. It might include slippery footing.

Driving time is 45 minutes from Ithaca to the park. Start point is the State Park parking area at the corner of Franklin and 10th Streets.

Conditions on the trail are likely to include mud and slippery footing. Trekking poles recommended. Wear sturdy hiking boots or shoes, bring water and dress in layers that you can easily slip off as you heat up.

We will stop for lunch at Jerlando’s after the hike, corner of Franklin and 4th Street.

If you will have trouble navigating to the trailhead, email the hike leader at the address above.

Check this site the morning of the hike for any changes or a cancellation.