Allegany County

Allegany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 48,946.[1] Its name derives from a Delaware Indian word, applied by settlers of Western New York State to a trail that followed the Allegheny River. Its county seat is Belmont.

Allegany County is in the southwestern part of New York State, along the Pennsylvania border. Allegany County does not lie along the Allegheny River, as its name would suggest. The highest point in the county is Alma Hill with an elevation of 2,548′ above sea level. This is the highest point west of the Catskill Mountains in New York State. The highest point of Interstate 86 is located in the Town of West Almond with an elevation of 2,110′. This is also believed to be the highest point of any Interstate in the New York.

The Genesee River bisects the county from south to north. In June 1972 the remnants of Hurricane Agnes stalled over the area, dropping more than 20 inches (510 mm) of rain. There was memorable flooding in Wellsville, Belmont, Belfast and other valley communities of the county. The Genesee River is extremely popular with canoeists (as it was a favored route for Native Americans) and the river abounds in smallmouth bass, trout and panfish.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allegany_County,_New_York

Canaseraga

Driving through a small village in Western NY a few years back on summer vacation.

Pitch Pines in Western NY

I am surprised there are Pitch Pines forests in Allegany and Cattaraugus Counties… the DEC Lands and Forests shows the follow stating forests have Pitch Pines mixed into their tree cover but they usually the second or tertiary for dominance due to fire suppression:

Allegany County

  • Gas Springs State Forest
  • Kaar Valley State Forest
  • Hanging Bog WMA
  • Phillips Creek State Forest

Cattaraugus County

  • McCarthy State Forest
  • Rock City State Forest

I probably shouldn’t be that surprised, as they a decent stand of pitch pine on Coal Knob in the Allegheny National Forest, as seen below.

Pitch Pine on Coal Knob

Friendship

Heading through small town Friendship in Allegany County.