Finger Lakes Trail
North Country Trail
McCarty Hill State Forest
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Finger Lakes Trail North Country Trail McCarty Hill State Forest
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This 5.1 mile section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail runs from Hungry Hollow Road to NY 242 just west of Ellicottville, NY. This section of the trail runs through McCarty Hill State Forest then past the top of Holimont Ski Area, then it descends to NY 242. There are numerous camping opportunities along this section of the FLT/NCT.
The 3110 acre McCarty Hill State Forest is south of Ellicottville, NY. The state forest is located just north of the 2905 acre Rock City State Forest. This section begins near the old CCC Camp Seneca, which is now a bivouac area. There is also a picnic pavilion and parking area located here.
The trail climbs steeply on an old logging road. You'll follow old logging roads for the first mile. After crossing McCarthy Hill Road, the trail becomes rocky. After crossing Mutton Hollow Road, you're leaving McCarty Hill State Forest and passing by radio towers. There is a bivouac area (no water) nearby. The trail goes right by the tower enclosure. The trail follows numerous logging tracks.
Pass a pond, another bivouac area and then the trail passes the top of the Holimont Ski slopes with nice views. This next section was opened in early September 2009 as the trail begins its sometimes steep descent toward NY 242 and the Ellicottville area. There is a Post Office in Ellicottville.
View from Holimont Ski Slope (picture by Kirk Doyle)
Look below for a map and trail description of this section of the trail. This section of the Finger Lakes Trail / North Country Trail also coincides with the Conservation Trail.
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| Mile | Elevation | Description |
| 0.0 | 1682 ft |
Hungry Hollow Road. Parking. Follow white blazes east. Nearby is the old CCC Camp Seneca with a bivouac area, picnic pavilion and parking. |
| 1.3 | 2195 ft |
Cross McCarty Hill Road. Parking. |
| 2.9 | 2326 ft |
Reach and cross Mutton Hollow Road diagonally to the left. Parking. Trail passes by radio tower and leaves McCarty Hill State Forest. Bivouac Area is nearby (no water). |
| 3.3 | 2256 ft |
Turn right on old logging road. |
| 3.8 | 2248 ft |
Bivouac Area. Soon views from the top of Holimont Ski Slopes. Begin descent to NY 242. |
| 4.35 | 2125 ft |
Descent becomes steeper. |
| 5.1 | 1625 ft |
Reach NY 242. End of this section. The FLT/NCT continues left on NY 242 for 500 feet, then turns right off road. Parking. For a continuation see Poverty Hill. |
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