Lace Up, Grab Your Pack, and Hit the Trails in Central New York! The Finger Lakes and Central New York are not known for rugged mountains and panoramic vistas, commonly sought in the Adirondacks to the north. They hardly could be―the area was scoured clean by glaciers millennia ago. But don’t let that fool you―the region is full of natural wonders of its own. Instead of mountains and ridges, the region is known for rolling drumlins, an abundance of scenic gorges, quiet woodlands, beautiful waterfalls, and picturesque lakes. Trails included in Five-Star Trails: Finger Lakes and Central New York, by Tim Starmer, feature a broad mixture of these landscapes and were carefully selected to give the most varied but also rewarding experience when picking a trail. Each trail has been thoroughly researched, recently hiked, and includes a detailed description, trail profile, and map. At-a-glance ratings in important categories such as scenery, trail condition, difficulty, solitude, and appropriateness for children let you quickly select a trail that fits your tastes and ability. Other useful information such as fees, restrictions for dogs on the trail, and advice on when to visit offers you the best information so you can plan your trip with ease. Tim Starmer has always been an outdoor enthusiast and spent most of his childhood seeking out remote and wild areas whenever possible. During a brief hiatus from Brown University during 1997, he drove across the United States for six weeks, camping the entire way. Along the way he explored many of the West's national and state parks, including Canyonlands, Yellowstone, Arches, and Bryce Canyon. At the trip's conclusion, he headed down to Australia, where he backpacked for a few months exploring the eastern Outback, the Great Barrier Reef, and the caves of Tasmania, as well as traversing the Tasmanian World Heritage Area along the Overland Track. Tim currently works in upstate New York as a timber framer and can still be found exploring the wilds whenever possible. Chimney Bluffs State Park Scenery: 5 stars Trail Condition: 4 stars Children: 4 stars Difficulty: 3 stars Solitude: 4 stars GPS Trailhead Coordinates: (Main Parking Area) N43° 16.862' W76° 55.347' (East Bay Road parking area) N43° 17.399' W76° 54.394' Distance & Configuration: 2.5-mile shoreline loop; 2.5-mile out-and-back Hiking Time: 1.5 hours Highlights: Panoramic views, beachside stroll, geological features Elevation: 250' at the trailhead, 383' at highest point along bluff Access: Daily, sunrise-sunset; no fees or permits required Maps: NY State Park map; nysparks.com/parks/43/maps.aspx; USGS Sodus Point Facilities: Restrooms, picnic benches Wheelchair Access: Yes in the picnic area, but not along the trail Comments: Be careful around the trail edges along the bluffs. The area is actively eroding, and the ground near these edges may not be stable. Hikers have been injured in the past, so take caution along the rim. Dogs on a leash are allowed in the park but not recommended along the Bluff Trail due to unstable trail conditions along the rim. Contacts: New York State Office of Parks, 315-947-5205, nysparks.com/parks/43 Overview Central New York is not known for its beaches or its coastal trails. How could it be? The region is hundreds of miles inland. Yet hiking the Chimney Bluffs trail makes you feel as if you are along one of the coasts. While the open views along Lake Ontario are certainly beautiful, the main attraction here are the bluffs. Formed from eroding drumlins, they create a must-see picturesque panorama. Route Details Unlike many state park trails featured in this book, there is no entrance fee associated with this trail. The state acquired this park in 1963, and there were plans to develop it similar to other parks across the state; but these plans were put aside and the park was left undeveloped until 1999. At that time, restrooms, trails, picnic areas with grills, and parking lots were built. To find the trailhead from the parking area, head north along the paved walkway toward Lake Ontario. Continue past the picnic area, and you will see the Bluff Trail on your right as you approach the shoreline (approximately 0.25 mile from the parking area). You will begin heading east along a fairly broad trail, but as you delve deeper into the surrounding hardwoods, it dwindles to a narrow footpath. Blue diamonds mark the trail, but the way is pretty straightforward. The trail is mostly flat for the first 0.5 mile but soon begins to climb at approximately 0.6 mile in. The trail climbs 100 feet over the next 0.2 mile. Along the approach to the bluffs, occasional previews of the eroded drumlin ahead can be seen through the surrounding trees, but the truly breathtaking views don’t begin until you reach the bluffs’ rim a little shy of 1 mile into the hike. As the trail winds along the rim, be careful not to get too close to the edge, as steady erosion makes areas of this trail unstable. The