This section of the Finger Lakes Trail is the start of the FLT in the Catskill Forest Preserve.  This 4.1 mile section of the trail is within Cherry Ridge Wild Forest section of the Catskill Forest Preserve and climbs Campbell Mountain.  While not a 3500er, this section still takes the trail to a height of over 2500 feet.  This section of trail has an overall elevation gain of 900 feet and also has a lean to. 

During this section the Finger Lakes Trail follows multi-use trails that are also used by snowmobiles in the winter.  You are no longer following white blazes within the Catskill Forest Preserve.  Now you begin following DEC discs as the FLT follows trails within the park.  The trail turns left off Campbell Brook Road and now follows the blue discs of the Trout Pond Trail.  There is a trail register and a small parking area here.  The trail climbs for the next 0.5 mile before reaching a high point of 2526 feet.  Now the trail descends for a mile before crossing Campbell Brook on a footbridge. 

The trail now ascends and crosses Campbell Mountain Road.  After crossing the road, the trail becomes the Campbell Mountain Trail and your still following blue discs.  The trail climbs for another 0.4 mile before leveling off, then descends toward a brook.  A side trail that leads to the Campbell Mountain Lean To is on your right just prior to the end of your descent.  The trail climbs briefly before descending toward a stream, which you'll cross on a bridge. 

The trail passes near a few large stone foundations.   Looks like the area was some type of complex a long time ago.  See panorama above on the largest of the ruins.  You may notice a seasonal piped spring on your right after passing under power lines.  You'll hear the occasional traffic noise as the trail climbs toward NY 206 and finally reaching a trail register, kiosk and small parking area on the busy highway. 

We have pictures, map, detailed description of this section below.  We also have a video of our hike from NY 206 to Campbell Mountain Lean To below.

NOTE:  The DEC signs have incorrect mileage for this section of the trail.  The DEC sign has Campbell Brook Rd to NY 206 as 5.5 miles.  We figured 4.1 miles and the official FLTC map has 4.2 miles.

Directions from Syracuse:  This section of the Finger Lakes Trail is over 120 miles away from Syracuse and is a 2.5 hour trip.  I-81 south to Exit 8 Whitney Point.  Turn left on US 11 south, then left on NY 26 to a quick right on NY 206.  NY 206 to Downsville and then right on NY 30 south.  Turn left on Corbett Road and cross the East Branch Delaware River (near Delaware Valley Campground) to the small hamlet of Corbett.  Turn left on Warren/River Rd, then quick right onto Campbell Brook Rd.  Veer right at intersection and follow road to the small trailhead parking area for Trout Pond Trail.

Pictures from along the Finger Lakes Trail

Trailhead on Campbell Brook Road	Campbell Mountain Road	Trail at Campbell Mountain Road	Looking across Campbell Mountain Road	Trail at Campbell Mountain Road
View from Campbell Brook Road	Kiosk, register and sign at NY 206 parking area	Piped spring along the FLT near NY 206	Bridge over stream	Scrappy marching on
Campbell Mountain Lean To	Privy near lean to	Sign at junction of side trail for lean to	Notice the lean to sign?	small waterfall off the trail about 150 feet away
Making our way toward NY 206 on the FLT	Making our way toward NY 206 on the FLT	Scrappy crossing on the bridge	Stream	One of the large stone foundations near the trail.
Another of the large stone foundations near the trail.	Another of the large stone foundations near the trail.	Making our way toward NY 206	Trail register & Kiosk at NY 206	Looking across NY 206

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