5/2/2010 NOTE:  A new hunting closure of trail was announced recently.  The details below have been updated.

The Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail enters the 3513 acre Bully Hill State Forest off Bush Road (see panorama above) just prior to the seasonal road sign, north of County Route 32.  Bully Hill State Forest was the site of many work projects carried out by the Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC in the 1930's.  CCC projects included the construction of roads and the planting of thousands of pine and spruce trees in the open areas on the property. 

After gradually climbing for just over a half a mile you'll reach a primitive campsite with outhouse at the junction of little streams.  After crossing the dirt Mike Dixson Road (gated), the trail levels out to its highest elevation in the state forest at 2201 feet as it passes through spruce and red pine.  The trail reaches seasonal dirt Karr Road and you can follow the blue blazes a short distance to a piped spring. 

The FLT/NCT follows along a creek as it descends gently toward Bully Hill Road.  Look for the evidence of the farms that once were here a long time ago as you hike this section.  You will also see a few small waterfalls as the trail follows along the main stream and crosses some small streams.

The trail reaches, follows briefly then leaves Bully Hill Road and gently climbs toward Karr Road.  There are a few winter views toward the south and I-86.  Prior to reaching Karr Road there is a trail register.  After crossing Karr Road the trail goes another 0.8 mile prior to reaching a gate and enters PRIVATE PROPERTY.  The trail is closed on this private property from May 1-31 and Oct 1 - Dec 31 for hunting.  This closing is from the state forest boundary to Bishopville Road.

The trail steeply descends on the private property towards Bishopville Road.  Since the loss of permission from a land owner, the trail no longer heads toward the Kanakadea Lean To.  Now the trail follows Bishopville Road briefly over a creek, then turns right off the road.  The trail descends toward the creek, then ascends up switchbacks and eventually runs parallel to Bishopville Road.  This new section of trail is also closed from May 1-31 and Oct 15 - Dec 15 for hunting.

At the highway departments road, the trail turns left following the road.  At the junction, the trail makes a "hard right" onto Wilson Karr Road, following the road.  This section ends where Wilson Karr Road reaches Bishopville Road.  Currently, there is a 2.6 mile road walk until the next off road section of trail.

 

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Pictures from along the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail

Trail briefly follows Bully Hill Road.	Bully Hill Road trailhead	Small stream along trail	Scrappy in Bully Hill State Forest	Stream along trail
Small waterfall	FLT sign	Stream	Old wall near trail	Karr Road crossing stream
Big old dead tree.	Follow the white blazes	Bully Hill State Forest DEC sign	Blue blazed trail leads to piped spring	The piped spring. Treat all water!
Trail leaving DEC Road	Trail reaching DEC Road	Following DEC Road	Bush Road trailhead	View from Bush Road

 

Directions

To reach the Bully Hill State Forest from Interstate 86, take exit 33 (Almond), go west on County Route 2 about 1 mile, and turn right onto the Bully Hill Road for less than a mile to enter State land.  This section of trail is located nearby to SUNY @ Alfred and Alfred University.

NOTE:  This moderate 7.25 mile section of trail has an overall elevation gain of over 1200 feet.

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