FLT/NCT - Bucktooth State Forest

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Finger Lakes Trail

North Country Trail

Bucktooth State Forest

This part of the Finger Lakes Trail - North Country Trail begins in Allegany State Park on ASP 2 near the interchange with I-86. The trail crosses through the interchange and enters the Seneca Indian Nation. The old bridge over the Allegheny River was CLOSED in the summer of 2012 creating a long reroute. This section of the FLT/NCT is featured on map M2 from the FLTC. We will be updating this webpage shortly to show the new reroute.

The old NY 17 bridge over the Allegheny River (picture by Kirk Doyle)
The trail travels 2.8 miles through the Indian Nation and there is no camping within the territory. There is nothing to be nervous about while crossing through the land, however I would recommend to cross through during the daytime. It can be tricky to follow the trail through the territory.
The Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI) is one of the six tribes of the Iroquois Confederacy who occupy aboriginal lands in New York State set aside by the Treaty of Canandaigua of 1794. The Seneca Nation of Indians has a total population of over 7200 enrolled members and holds title to three territories in New York, one of which includes the City of Salamanca.
The trail leaves the territory and then leaves Sunfish Road, entering private property. This section of the trail all the way to Bucktooth State Forest (a total of 3.6 miles) is CLOSED during fall big game hunting season. Please respect the landowners request and stay off this section of trail during those dates.

The trail enters the 2218 acre Bucktooth State Forest after 7.45 miles of hiking. This hardwood forest area is northwest of Salamanca (originally called Bucktooth back in the 1850's) and south of Little Valley. This area was carved by the glaciers and is on the northern edge of the Allegheny Plateau and southern end of the Finger Lakes drainage area.
The trail leaves the state forest, enters private property then follows roads briefly before entering more private property. The trail reaches Woodworth Hollow Road near a barn and follows the road all the way to NY 353 and the end of this moderate/difficult 15.3 mile section of the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail. There is a golf course and restaurant across the street (Elkdale Country Club). The FLT/NCT continues across the street and for a continuation see Rock City State Forest.
Just prior to reaching NY 353 the Finger Lakes/North Country Trail crosses the Patricia McGee Rail Trail. You can hike, bike, snowmobile or ride horses on the Patricia McGee Trail. This multi-purpose, 12.2 mile trail will grow to be a county wide system but at this time it connects seven municipalities together (the Village of Cattaraugus to the City of Salamanca).
Look below for a map and trail description of this section of the trail. This section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail is also part of the Conservation Trail.
We will be updating this page shortly

Mile	Elevation	Description
6.0	1447 ft	Cross Sawmill Run Road slightly to the left. Continue along farm lane.
6.15	1519 ft	Left off lane, cross over stile. Ascend.
7.0	2147 ft	Right on old woods road.
7.15	2217 ft	Turn left at fork of old woods roads.
7.45	2259 ft	End of old woods road. Trail turns right and enters Bucktooth State Forest.
8.55	2209 ft	Begin steep descent.
9.0	1875 ft	Trail turns right along old logging road.
9.1	1788 ft	Trail turns left.
9.35	1624 ft	Cross West Branch Bucktooth Run Road diagonally to the left. Parking.
9.4	1617 ft	Cross West Branch Bucktooth Run on footbridge. Begin steep ascent.
10.35	2149 ft	Turn left on grassy lane. Camping area. Soon turn right off grassy lane at register.
10.45	2183 ft	High point, begin descending.
10.9	1952 ft	Leave Bucktooth State Forest and enter private property. Continue down steep logging road watching for left turn off logging road.
11.35	1658 ft	Turn left on East Branch Bucktooth Run Road.
12.0	1781 ft	Turn (veer) right onto 4th Street.
12.3	1892 ft	Trail turns right off road along logging track and ascend. Entering private property.
12.6	2137 ft	Trail turns right.
12.75	2178 ft	Trail levels off.
13.45	2160 ft	Trail turns left.
13.55	2162 ft	Trail turns right. Begin steep descent. Entering Woodworth Hollow.
14.1	1727 ft	Reach old section of Woodworth Hollow Road. Soon on Woodworth Hollow Road.
14.9	1437 ft	Cross Little Valley Creek on bridge.
15.1	1486 ft	Pass by pipeline.
15.2	1457 ft	Cross old railroad bed. This is the Patricia McGee Trail.
15.3	1457 ft	Reach NY 353 and the end of this section. The FLT/NCT continues across the street. For a continuation of the trail see Rock City State Forest.

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