Allegany – Seneca Reservation in 1943
Randolph Topographic Map from 1943 shows lands of the Senecas lost to the Allegheny Reservoir and later the NY 17 - Interstate 86 Expressway.
Olean
I was noticing how many solar facilities have popped up around Olean in recent years (2022 NAIP imagery).
Exploring the Zoar Valley Unique Area
Zoar Valley Unique Area is a large canyon was carved over millions of years by Cattaraugus Creek cutting through shale formations just west of Gowanada on the southern border of Erie County. It is famous for its towering 400-to-500-foot vertical cliffs, hidden waterfalls, old-growth forests, and rushing whitewater rapids of the Cattaraugus Creek.
This ecologically sensitive area is open sunrise to sunset, with visitors prohibited from entering the fast-moving Cattaraugus Creek unless they are rafting or fishing due to risk of being swept downstream, especially in times of high water. Likewise, because the shale cliffs are highly unstable and prone to eroding or collapsing and to prevent erosion, people are prohibited from 15 feet of the cliff edges, except on official marked trails.
Key Access Points & Trails
Due to the high cliff walls, there is only two access routes – the long abandoned Valentine Flats Road into the main gorge, and the Forty Road to the south gorge, where it dead ends.
- Valentine Flats Area: Located at the end of Valentine Flats Road, this is the main gateway into the flats below. The trail here snakes down into the heart of the canyon right to the confluence of the Main and South branches of Cattaraugus Creek.
- Forty Road Area: Located near the town of Persia, this spot features a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform located just 200 feet from the parking lot, offering stunning views of the south fork of the canyon.
Ancient Forests & Wildlife
Zoar Valley is recognized as a premier conservation priority because it protects one of the last remaining old-growth forests east of the Mississippi River.
- The Gallery of Giants: The bottomland of the canyon features some of the tallest trees in the entire Northeast, with species like American sycamores, tulip poplars, cottonwoods, and hemlocks exceeding 40 inches in diameter and soaring over 120 feet high. Some trees here have been core-dated to be 350 to 500 years old.
- Wildlife: The valley acts as a natural wind thermal corridor. It is an excellent spot to view migratory raptors, American kestrels, red-bellied woodpeckers, and an increasing population of bald eagles nesting high along the rock faces.
Recreational Activities
- Hiking: Best done via the Valentine Flats Trail. Sturdy, water-resistant hiking boots are highly recommended due to the slippery rocks and shale. Careful around the steep cliffs.
- Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking: Cattaraugus Creek offers some of the most thrilling and scenic paddling in the region during the high-water spring thaw. No swimming or wading is allowed unless fishing.
- Fishing & Hunting: Anglers flock to the creek for seasonal steelhead trout, while the surrounding woods are open for big and small game hunting during New York state seasons.
East Otto State Forest – Camping Information and Neary Activites
East Otto State Forest (also known as Cattaraugus Reforestation Area #15) is a 2,071 state forestarea located in Cattaraugus County, New York. Spanning the towns of Otto and East Otto, it features a rugged terrain filled with manmade ponds, young forest habitats, wetlands, and portions of Utley Brook and Cattaraugus Creek.
Camping Information
- Designated Sites: There are 14 designated tent sites located along Kriedeman Forest Road. Each site features a primitive fire ring and is marked with a yellow camp disk.
- Availability: Sites are first-come, first-served and often fill up during the busy summer months.
- Backcountry Camping: Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the forest as long as you are at least 150 feet away from water bodies, streams, roads, or trails.
- Permits: You must obtain a permit from an NYSDEC Forest Ranger if you plan to stay more than three consecutive nights or if you are camping with a group of 10 or more people.
Top Recreational Activities
- Hiking & Biking: There are no formally maintained trails on the property, but old logging skid trails and farm roads provide excellent opportunities to explore. The 2.4-mile East Otto State Forest Trail is a popular option utilizing these dirt roads.
- Hunting & Trapping: The forest falls within Wildlife Management Units 9M and 9H. It is heavily used for tracking small and big game such as deer, rabbits, grouse, and wild turkey.
- Fishing: Anglers frequently use Stickney Pond (located off Kriedeman Road) and Utley Brook to fish.
- Winter Sports: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted across all unplowed access roads and skid trails during the winter months.
Nearby Attractions
If you are planning a trip to the forest, there are several notable locations within a 30-minute drive:
- Griffis Sculpture Park: A unique 450-acre outdoor art park showcasing over 250 massive steel structures scattered along woodland paths.
- Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area: A breathtaking gorge system located just north of the state forest, famous for its dramatic cliffs and whitewater rafting.
This photo shows the nearby Zoar Valley Unique Area. No camping is allowed in Zoar Valley, people often will camp at East Otto and then drive over to Zoar Valley.
Olean
Olean is the largest city in Cattaraugus County and serves as its financial, business, transportation and entertainment center. It is one of the principal cities of the Southern Tier region of New York. It's population is 13,711 and is bordered by the Allegheny River to the south and Interstate 86, the Southern Tier Expressway to the north. The Olean Creek joins the Allegheny River in the city, and the hills surrounding the city are historical centers for oil production, although most of the wells are just stripper wells nowadays, producing a few barrels a day.
