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Friends
of the Finger Lakes National Forest,
Inc.
Guided
Discovery Trail Hikes Announced
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Friends
of The Finger Lakes Forest, Inc.
PO Box 193,
Burdett, NY 14818
FoFLNF@aol.com
Who
We Are and What We Do
The Friends of the Finger Lakes
National Forest (FoFLNF),
a not-for-profit New York Corporation, promotes community
participation in the wise use, care and development
of the Finger Lakes National Forest. The group strives
to foster an appreciation for the many natural resources
found on the forest through a variety of educational
activities and involvement opportunities. The group
serves as a local focal point for facilitating consensus
among diverse groups with interest in forest related
issues and works with the Finger Lakes National Forest
Service Staff on selected forest management tasks.
The Finger Lakes National Forest, encompassing 16,118
acres, is located between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in
the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The land
area lies in the towns of Hector, in Schuyler County,
and Covert & Lodi, in Seneca County. The Forest
has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse
gorges, ravines, pastures, and woodland. It is the only
National Forest in New York State.
How
do I Join?
Anyone who has an interest in the purposes of the Friends
of the Finger Lakes National Forest, Inc., can become
a member by paying annual dues of $5 a year. Membership
entitles one to a voice in the direction of the group,
voting privileges and the ability to hold office. The
money is used to defray expenses of the group. Members
are encouraged to become active in an interest area.
Meetings
of the FoFLNF
are held monthly, at the Logan Community Center, located
at the corners of CR 4 and CR 2 in the town of Hector,
Schuyler County, New York. Often a current natural resource
forest-related topic of interest to the general public
is part of the monthly program. Interested individuals
are encouraged to contact a representative to learn
about the next meeting date. Interested individuals
may request a membership form at FoFLNF@aol.com.
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CURRENT
ISSUES
Coming
Soon - Update on
the Emerald Ash Borer and Giant Hogweed, two threatening
pests of the forest and surrounding lands.
~~~~~
HISTORIC
FOREST RELATED ISSUES
SPECIAL –
Local work by
members of the FoFLNF group, the Finger Lakes Forest
Watch Congress and the Forest Service: Cotton
Mill Timber Sale – Debate & Decision
USDA FOREST SERVICE
- SMALL OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS - Issue has been resolved
All
Federal land within the boundary of Finger Lakes National
Forest
was withdrawn from oil and gas leasing under the Energy
Policy Act of 2005
(Public Law 109-58 sec 370
August 8, 2005)
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FoFLNF
current
officers:
John
Potter - President
email - AbiesAlba1@aol.com,
phone 607-546-2241
Joan Martin - Treasurer
email - JoanMartin@htva.net,
phone 607-546-7871
Kate Bartholomew - Secretary
email - kbartholo@watkinsglenschools.org,
cell 607-228-7371
Guided
Discovery Trail Hikes Announced
The public
are invited to Experience the Finger Lakes National Forest
on one of our Guided Discovery Trail Hikes on Saturdays in
September and October. The Saturday morning hikes are along
easy trails of the forest, each leaving from the designated
trail-head at 8:30 am and guided by volunteer who helps participants
become acquainted with the natural world of the National Forest.
Maps and more detail about the hiking trails can be found
at Finger
Lakes National Forest.
The
Discovery Trail Hikes for 2007 are:
Saturday,
September 8th - 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Hike a portion of the
Backbone Trail. The Backbone Trail begins at the
Backbone Horse Campground, and traverses the forest through
shrub lands, pastures, old roads and many old homestead sites.
It intersects the Interloken and Burnt Hill Trails to the
south and the No-Tan-Takto trail to the north. It is a relatively
flat primitive trail with natural tread, gravel in wet places
and mowed paths through fenced pastures. The entire Backbone
trail is a 4 ½ - 5 hour hike, this hike will be 2 hours.
Directions:
From the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National
Forest on State Route 414 go north, continue for ½
mile and turn onto County Route 2, which is the next asphalt
road. Travel for 3.5 miles east. County Route 2 becomes gravel
a short distance after its intersection with County Route
4. Meet at the Backbone Horse Campground, which is on the
left, opposite the intersection with Burnt Hill Road.
Saturday,
September 22nd - 8:30 am - 10:30 am.
Hike the Southslope Trail.
The Southslope Trail is located at the south end
of the Forest. The trail passes through hardwood and conifer
stands and crosses a small stream. It is a primitive trail
with plank boardwalk over wet areas. This trail intersects
the Interloken Trail, which is a portion of the Finger Lakes
and North Country Trail Systems. This is an easy 1 to 1 ¼
hour hike.
Directions:
From the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes National
Forest on State Route 414 go north, continue for ½
mile and turn onto County Route 2, which is the next asphalt
road. Go east 3 miles then turn right onto County Route 4.
Go south 3 miles to Wyckoff Road (gravel) , turn left, and
follow Wyckoff Road to Burnt Hill Road. Turn left onto Burnt
Hill Road and follow it to the parking area at the head of
the trail located on the left side of the road.
Saturday
October 6th, - 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Hike
the Ravine Trail. The Ravine Trail passes through
a wonderful hemlock and spruce plantation. As the trail loops
around, it crosses a stream in 3 places with native rock step
crossings. It is a primitive trail with a native tread and
is steep in some places. The Ravine Trail connects with the
Interloken Trail at Burnt Hill Road. Ravine Trail is a moderate
hike because of the slopes encountered along the trail.
Directions: From the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes
National Forest on State Route 414 go north, continue for
½ mile and turn onto County Route 2, which is the next
asphalt road. Travel for 3 miles east to the Ravine Trail
parking, located on the south side of the road. County Route
2 becomes gravel a short distance after its intersection with
County Route 4. Meet at the parking area.
Saturday October 20th, - 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Hike
the Finger Lakes Trail. This portion of the trail
is part of a much larger regional trail system. The main Finger
Lakes Trail is 559 miles long and connects the Catskills with
the Allegheny Mountains, passing through remote areas of the
Southern Tier of New York State. This portion of the Finger
Lakes Trail is also part of the North Country Trail, a National
Scenic Trail that originates in North Dakota and meanders
east to Lake Champlain. The portion of the trail that crosses
Finger Lakes National Forest is primitive in nature with a
natural tread and boardwalk over wet areas. Portions of the
trail are moderately steep and travel through hardwoods and
open areas. There is an 'Adirondack' style shelter, beautiful
vineyards and vistas from this trail, including views of Seneca
Lake. This is a two hour hike, easy hike.
Directons: From the Hector Ranger Station of the Finger Lakes
National Forest on State Route 414 go south, continue for
½ mile and turn left onto Mathews Road. Go 1 ½
miles east to the Satterly Hill Road, turn right and follow
it for 3 miles until you reach the Finger Lakes Trail sign
located on the east side of the road. Meet at the trail sign
on Satterly Hill Road.
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