FLT - Bear Spring Mtn WMA

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Finger Lakes Trail

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Finger Lakes Trail

Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area

SHUTTLE HIKE HELP!

I am looking for a shuttle to hike this section of the Finger Lakes Trail. We want to hike the 10.3 miles from Tower Rd to NY 30 to gps, take pictures and create a video of this section of the FLT. This is one of the few sections of trail I have yet to hike. I would also welcome anyone who would like to hike this section with me.

My plan is travel to Bear Spring Mtn WMA on a Saturday early morning and stay at the campground Saturday night. My hope is to hike this in two sections, with the Tower Rd to the campground being done on Saturday and then from the campground to NY 30 on Sunday. Any extra time would be doing some short hikes in the area possibly including Red Hill Fire Tower, Balsam Lake Mtn Fire Tower, Beaverkill Vista and Middle Mountain Vista.

Let us know if you can help with a car shuttle or if your interested in joining me for this hike!

Send me an e-mail at contact@cnyhiking.com

This section of the Finger Lakes Trail is the gateway to the Catskills as this is the last section of trail before reaching the Catskill Forest Preserve aka Catskill Park. Since 2005 there have been major changes in the route the FLT takes in this section of trail. In 2005 the trail was taken off Beers Brook Road to reach Bear Spring Mountain Wildlife Management Area and now takes Tower Road with a short stretch on private property to reach Bear Spring Mountain WMA.

The 7186 acre Bear Spring Mountain WMA is located in Delaware County near Walton, NY. The WMA is known for its 24 miles of horse trails, however the multi use trails are also available for hiking and biking. There is a DEC run campground located in the WMA. There are day use facilities, which include a picnic area. Launt Pond is stocked with brown trout every spring. The stream flowing through the campground also has very good fishing.

View from Houck Mountain Road near Tower Road

The Finger Lakes Trail travels 5.5 miles through Bear Spring Mountain WMA. After entering the WMA from a short hike on private property off Tower Road, the FLT utilizes a few of the horse trails as it winds through the WMA and makes its way to a large DEC parking area near East Trout Brook Road. The trail follows the road briefly as you pass a part of the DEC campground (CLOSED for 2010). From here there were exciting, recent changes on the route of the FLT.

In October 2009 the FLTC announced the completion of 3.9 miles of new trail located completely on private property that takes the trail to NY 30 off road. This new trail is CLOSED during hunting seasons from Nov 1 to Dec 31 (all day) as well as May 1-31 from 4am to noon. This new section of trail begins 0.1 mile south of the border of Bear Spring Mountain WMA off Trout Brook Road.

The new trail climbs from 1260 feet at Trout Brook Road to a high point of 2210 feet in just 1.8 miles. The new trail has a few views and some steep sections. It reaches a busy NY 30, 2.1 miles after the high point at an elevation of 1090 feet. The closest parking is 0.8 miles away, across the Delaware River, next to the Corbett Town Hall.

Hunting notice: The new section of the Finger Lakes Trail is closed by landowner for hunting from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 (all day) and May 1 to 31 (4 AM to Noon). Bypass by continuing south on Trout Brook Rd, crossing E. Branch Delaware River and turning left on River Rd. as shown on map.