Finger Lakes National Forest

Nestled in upstate New York, the Finger Lakes National Forest spans 16,000 acres of diverse terrain, combining lush woodlands with expansive pasture land. Encompassing woodlands, grasslands, and glacial lakes, its picturesque landscapes and well-maintained trails attract outdoor enthusiasts, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The forest’s five distinctive trails wind through the scenery, revealing stunning views of gorges, waterfalls, and panoramic vistas. The forest is also home to the celebrated Finger Lakes Trail, a long-distance hiking trail extending over 580 miles. Limited free primitive and roadside camping opportunities along the roads add to the allure, providing a chance to immerse in the natural beauty for longer periods. As the only national forest in New York State, it provides a unique space for relaxation, exploration, and immersion in the captivating landscapes of the Finger Lakes region.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_Lakes_National_Forest
http://www.fs.usda.gov/fingerlakes
http://www.cnyhiking.com/FingerLakesNationalForest.htm

After this week being so cold and icy, everything now is turning to mud.

After this week being so cold and icy, everything now is turning to mud. The road near the campsite has a section that was all ice a day ago, now it’s turned to a deep mud puddle. Fortunately the other direction doesn’t seem so bad as it’s sloped. While there was six inches of snow here last weekend, the ground never froze below the snow and ice, and now that the weather has gotten well above freezing its all turned to mush. While I was careful to leave Big Red parked on a gravel lot, the once snow and ice covered campsite by tomorrow certainly will be all mud. But I plan to leave pretty early tomorrow and I’ll try to minimize my trips trampling the ground.

Overlooking the Pond