This short section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail is a sad reminder of what can happen when a landowner closes a section of trail on their land.  This trail closing created a dead end and a long two mile "out of the way" one way hike to Kanakadea Lean To.  This whole off road section is located on PRIVATE PROPERTY.

This section begins at the trail crossing of Webb Road.  The old trail goes south and now dead ends at the Kanakadea Lean To after two miles.  The main continuous trail turns left off Webb Road.  Prior to returning to Webb Road (after 1.2 miles of off road hiking), you will be passing close by a horse pasture with an electric fence. 

After turning right onto Doorley Road, you will cross over I-86.  Turn left and a short 0.3 mile walk along busy County Route 66 before the trail turns right off the road.  Now you'll begin your ascent up Bald Hill, although the trail never actually reaches the "summit" of 1878 feet, you'll achieve a maximum height of 1700 feet with a few views plus a trail register. 

Watch the white blazes closely on Bald Hill as there are numerous logging and ATV trails in this area.  The trail drops steeply over the next 0.8 miles as you approach the power lines and railroad tracks.  You'll cross active tracks before walking the last 0.7 miles of this section along the old railroad bed of the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern railroad.

The Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad Company also known as the "Shawmut Line" was a Class 1 Railroad Company that operated freight and passenger service from Wayland, New York to Brockway, Pennsylvania from 1899 to 1947 a total of approximately 190 miles. The standard gauge railroad operated with branches to Olean and Hornell, New York and to Hazelhurst, Cardiff, Drummond and others to coal mines in Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this railroad was to haul coal from the coal mines of Pennsylvania to the Buffalo Rochester and New York City area. The Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern Railroad started its life as the combination of five small financially troubled Railroads in New York and Pennsylvania on August 2, 1899. The PS&N inherited these problems and went into bankruptcy in 1905, which lasted the next 42 years of its existence – one of the longest bankruptcy proceedings in American railroading history.

Reach County Route 66 and the end of this 4.1 mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail.  The trail now follows roads through Hornell, NY; which has become a popular stopping place for thru hikers of both trails.  There is a Super 8 Motel along County Route 66, just prior to the crossing of NY 36.  There is also an Econo Lodge located nearby the walk along the roads.  There are numerous restaurants, Aldi's near to where your walking through.  There is also a Wal-Mart Supercenter to the south on NY 36.

 

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