There is an amazing place located in La Fayette, NY and it's
not an apple farm. This place has two truly unique landmarks located in Onondaga
County called Bare Mountain and Rattlesnake Gulf. Both are located within
the friendly confines of Adams Eden Camp.
This property was once home to farms and the area was once all
fields, which is where the name "Bare" Mountain came from. Later the
property was owned by the Rescue Mission before being purchased by the Adams
family. Adams Eden Camp is a true gem in Onondaga County.
Adams Eden Camp offers year round camping and recreation.
Within its 328 acres are some of the most scenic views not only in Onondaga County but
in Central New York as well. For more information on Adams Eden Camp,
go to there website at
http://www.adamsedencamp.com/p1.htm.
Known more for Rattlesnake Gulf and its Blue Hole Falls,
Wedding Falls, Great Falls, many do not realize the amazing view from the
overlook on Bare Mountain. This is easily one of the most scenic views in
Onondaga County. The overlook is on a cliff created from the "mudslides"
in 1993. Exploring the area around the overlook you'll see boulders and
other evidence of the slides.
Below we have pictures, a video and a topo map of our recent
hike to the Overlook on Bare Mountain. If you've never been to Adams Eden Camp, I would
recommend a visit soon. If you've been there and only seen the waterfalls,
go back and make the hike to the Overlook.
Starting from Adams Eden Camp, located at 4812 Cook Rd. in La
Fayette , NY , hikers may access the Overlook Trail by signing in at the
Director’s Residence on the camp premises. A one day access pass of $3 per
person or $5 per family is required (well worth it) and also allows access to
the other trails, a game room, the Mountain Meadow Maze, and boating in season.
The camp also provides overnight lodging and Pavilion rentals as well as hiking
trails.
From the main area of the camp, hikers head East on the
Wilderness Road for
approximately 1 mile. The Wilderness Road is a wide logging road which cuts
through hardwoods on either side of the trail.
The Overlook Trail branches
off from the Wilderness Road
at approximately the 1 mile point and from that point you'll experience a steep,
steady incline leading to a
high meadow. Now you'll follow the Overlook Trail signs around the outer
perimeter of the meadow and ends with a gorgeous, panoramic view of the Tully
Valley . The Overlook Trail is an out and back trail approximately 1.5 miles to
the overlook and then 1.5 miles back to the main area of camp.
The Overlook Trail passes the Mountain Meadow Maze which is
included in the one day access pass for interested hikers. The Maze cuts
through approximately 10 acres of the Upper Meadow and along the maze there are
30 symbols posted along the way. The goal of the maze is to find as many symbols
as you can or at least as many as time will allow. Game cards may be picked up
at the Director’s Residence and the Mountain Meadow Maze can be played either
cooperatively or competitively depending on your preference. Hay rides are also
an option that can be scheduled ahead of time for those who wish to do the Maze
or view the Overlook without hiking. Pictures, directions, and more information
on the Overlook Trail and the Mountain Meadow Maze are available on the web at
www.AdamsEdenCamp.com or by calling
(315) 677-5121.
Directions: From Lafayette, NY take US 20 WEST
past NY 11A, turn left on Case Hill Road (great views behind you as you climb
the hill). Follow Case Hill Road till it ends at Cook Road. Turn
left on Cook Road and follow road until it ends at Adams Eden Camp. Pull
into the camp and park in the parking area on your right.
Pictures from the hike to the Overlook
