Next week, Columbus Day Weekend and the days following it, I will be taking a trip out to the Finger Lakes, then out to Western NY and the Southern Tier, then to Chautauqua County, then dip down into Pennsylvania, and come back along US 6. Many of these destinations I’ve been to before, but also there are many other destinations I want to explore, anew.

I will probably start the first part of the week at the Finger Lakes National Forest and/or Sugar Hill State Forest. I would like to check out many of the gorge parks in fall, especially Robert Treman State Park. I also am interested in seeing Fillmore Glen, possibly on the way out there, as that is the only gorge I have not been to in the various Finger Lakes State Parks.

Later on the week, I want to visit  Harriet Hollister Spencer Recreation Area, then Letchworth State Park. Possibly stay over night at the campground, depending on the weather. Then at some point, I want to check out the Allegheny County State Forests, and I may be able to camp at Bully Hill State Forest. The Bully Hill website says that hunters are allowed to camp at the various gravel pull offs at that state forest. It is after all, small game hunting season.

Then I hope to visit the ever so special Zoar Valley gorge. I bet you that gorge is filled with color this time of year. It certainly was spectacular, last November, at least when it wasn’t dropping wet snow.

From there, probably visit Little Rock City, then progress west through Chautauqua County to the Chautauqua Gorge. There are campsites there, and I might spend a night there, until heading south to Allegheny National Forest for a day or two. Visit Kinzua Bridge State Park – which surprisingly I have never been to.

From there, probably take a southernly route, e.g. State College and Jersey Shore, before eventually coming across the Pennsylvania wilds into Endless Mountain Country, and ultimately returning back to New York.

At least that’s the tentative plans. Things don’t always work out the way they first appear, and it’s possible that for the Allegheny leg, in particular, that some of the roads and overlooks will be gated off for the government shutdown, assuming it’s not resolved in the next few days.