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Castile

Letchworth State Park

Modest? Rustic? Scene from a horror movie?More Photos

by Joekirr

A May 2007 travel journal

Last Updated: August 23, 2007

Journal Usefulness Rating 2 out of 5
Journal Usefulness Rating
2
Reviews
7
Photos

A trip to western NY to see "The Grand Canyon of the East"

Modest? Rustic? Scene from a horror movie?

A one-room cabin down a winding poorly paved road in western NY state. The toilet building was about 50 yards away, with spigot to get potable water, and no shower.

Inside: surprisingly there was a well working electric range with oven, decent fridge, table with 4 chairs, 4 "beds" with the world's worst "mattresses" had to bring own linens-thankfully, I wouldn't have trusted any that were there when I got there, exceptionally uncomfortable.

Outside: there was a nice open space with grill, fire pit, and picnic table.

  • Member Rating 1 out of 5 by Joekirr on August 23, 2007

Letchworth State Park
1 Letchworth State Park Castile, New York 14427
(585) 493-3600

Point where the creek levels out

This is a lollipop shaped trail in Letchworth State Park near the E cabins. The trailhead was about 200 yards down the road from my cabin. The trail starts with an uphill which is obviously used for snowmobiling and mountain biking as the ground is rutted and muddy. I made a right at the point where the trail splits so as to go counterclockwise around the loop leading back to this point. The trail winds through brush and understory as it goes up and down several small hills and through some muddy, buggy spots.

The trail is well marked to a point where it meets the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) which makes its way through the park. I followed the part of my trail which shares a road with the FLT. The trail I was on also could have gone back into the woods but I decided to follow the FLT to another point down the trail where I could pick up my trail blazes again. The road was a nice change from the woods. I made a left into the woods about a quarter mile or so down the road. The trail began to make a general downward slope at this point, following the creek on its way to the gorge. The creek has created a smaller gorge for itself among the old growth pines. The forest floor was covered in soft pine needles which made the walk softer, but also added a bit of danger when going down hill as the needles were loose and slipped a bit under my feet.

Soon, I reached a beautiful spot where the creek levels out into a clearing. The sun was warm after spending so much time in the shadow of the forest. After a brief rest I continued on my way, only to be blocked by a massive dead oak tree, I carefully climbed over so as to avoid sticking my hands or feet anywhere where something might bite me. The trail began to follow a tributary stream bed which showed evidence of flash floods. After stooping under another half-fallen tree, the trail starts making its way up hill again. Soon after I was back at the "neck" of the lollipop and I made my way back to the cabin. Nice hike overall.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Joekirr on August 23, 2007

Letchworth State Park
1 Letchworth State Park Castile, New York 14427
(585) 493-3600

About the Writer

Joekirr
Joekirr
NEW PROVIDENCE, New Jersey

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