The Wilcox Lake – Willis Lake Trail runs between those two lakes. Willis Lake is a largely developed lake at the end of Pumpkin Hollow Road off NY 30, south of Wells while Wilcox Lake is located about two miles from Bakerstown, which is about five miles west of Harrisburg. The trail is relatively flat with minor, rolling changes in elevation. Designated as wild-forest mountain bikes are allowed on it, however it is rough riding in portions and better hiked with bridges and trees to portage over. The trail winds through miles of secluded woodlands, crossing a few minor streams and wetlands.
You can park at one of the campsites along Pumpkin Hollow Road past Willis Lake or along the road if you can get far off the road shoulder. The end of Pumpkin Hollow Road past that last inholding, a hunting camp, is quite rough and narrow, so you might want to park before the hunting camp.
Crossing the Doing Creek on a snowmobile bridge, a short distance from the parking area.
Much of the woods is quiet, very unremarkable, passing several wetlands like this section of the Wilcox Lake Outlet.
Once you start approaching Wilcox Lake, the trail climbs somewhat over a hill. But when you reach it, wilcox Lake is quite scenic.
And there are two lean-tos that can be found on Wilcox Lake.
While not the shortest route to Wilcox Lake, the hike over to Wilcox from Willis is an enjoyable day-time activity, especially if combined with camping on Pumpkin Hollow Road.
Alternative routes to Wilcox Lake include from Hope Falls Road along the East Stony Creek, and west from Harrisburg Lake Road – where there are campsites – through the Bakerstown Camp Inholding, and back to the lake. I’ve done all three routes back to Wilcox Lake, all of them are enjoyable in different ways.
