Fellows Hill, at 2019 feet, is the second highest point in Onondaga County.  This hike in Morgan Hill State Forest features the summit of the hill as well as beautiful Spruce Pond.  The USGS marker on the summit says "Fabius" and you may notice the same name on the map below.  Over the last few years there has been significant logging in Morgan Hill State Forest, including the Fellows Hill area. 

You'll notice the clear cut sections while hiking along the trail, including crossing one of the clear cuts.  There was a significant trail reroute due to the logging.  The Fellows Hill Loop follows the Herlihy Spur Trail for the most part, which was at one time the Onondaga Trail and is part of the 900+ mile Finger Lakes Trail System.  Your following orange blazes for most of this hike.

The Onondaga Trail was rerouted to carry the North Country National Scenic Trail through Morgan Hill State Forest.  You'll notice the blue blazes of the North Country Trail and the orange blaze for the Herlihy Spur Trail on the kiosk near Spruce Pond.  We like to call the Herlihy Trail, the Fellows Hill Trail.  This is a popular hike in the forest. 

Start this hike from Spruce Pond.  There are three other parking areas along Herlihy Road from where you could start your hike if you wish, including a paved parking area where the pavement ends.  Park here if you don't want to drive on the seasonal dirt road to Spruce Pond.  The dirt road isn't rough, but it's recommended that you follow the 25MPH speed limit.  There is a parking area at Spruce Pond. 

This moderate 3.1 mile loop hike has an overall elevation gain of 555 feet.  Below find directions to the trailhead, description of this hike, pictures, a video, a map and a detailed description of the hike.

Directions:  From Lafayette, US 20 East, take a right on Apulia Rd.  Turn left on NY 80 East, then about a mile after NY 91 JCT, turn right on Herlihy Rd.  After the pavement ends, drive another 1 mile on the seasonal dirt road to the Spruce Pond trailhead parking area.  Just before the trailhead the road has a Y (keep right).  There is alternate parking at the snow plow turn around where the pavement ends.

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This hike begins at the small parking area on Spruce Pond.  Sometimes this parking area does get filled up on summer weekends, however there are other parking areas along the dirt road (see map) to choose from.  Walk from the parking area along the path on the earthen dam for Spruce Pond and head to the kiosk on the other side.

At the North Country National Scenic Trail kiosk you'll see the blue blazes of this 4600 mile long distance trail that will travel from North Dakota to Crown Point, NY when it is completed.  There are great hikes along this trail in Morgan Hill State Forest worth exploring.  When your done reading and looking at the kiosk information, walk back toward the parking area.

Many people fish at Spruce Pond and you might pass a few fisherman depending on the day and season.  Turn left on the dirt road after passing by the parking area and your car.  You can bypass this part of the hike if you wish, however we included it since it's a pleasant stroll along the pond.  Follow the orange blazes as you walk on the dirt road.

As you walk briefly on the dirt road, you'll notice a few campsites on your left.  This is the Spruce Pond camping area and you soon will see a sign stating "Camping By Permit Only".  Permits are free and can be obtained through the NY DEC.  Look for the double blaze on the tree with one of the "Camping By Permit Only" signs and turn right into the woods here.  This turn can easily be missed.

Your only in the woods for a short time before reaching seasonal dirt Herlihy Road aka Onondaga One Road.  Turn right and follow this dirt road for a short time before turning left back into the woods where you see the yellow Onondaga Trail sign or just follow the orange blazes.

The trail climbs gently as you'll soon cross a logging road, which is also used as a snow mobile trail in the winter.  Following the orange blazes, the trail come to and travels across a clear cut.  There have been numerous clear cuts in Morgan Hill State Forest over the past few years.  This is the first of a few that the trail will travel close by, however the only clear cut the trail actually crosses.

The trail re-enters the woods and runs along the edge of another clear cut.  Soon you may notice an out of place yellow Onondaga Trail sign on a tree.  This marks the junction of the old trail and you'll turn left here.  With all the logging that has been taking place, you've been hiking on a relocated section of trail and now have met up with the old trail.  When you turn left here, you are on the old trail.

The trail soon turns or veers left to follow an old woods road that is now a grassy lane.  You'll notice the "posted" signs.  We believe this short section is on private property.  The trail will turn left off the old road and re-enter Morgan Hill State Forest.  You'll have a real nice view of a clear cut before the trail goes onto another old woods road.

When the trail veers left off the old road and begins to climb a little, this marks the final ascent to the summit of Fellows Hill.  When you arrive at the trail register on the tree, you are at the summit.  The USGS summit marker is a few feet to the right of the register, off the trail.

Now begins a steady descent off the hill toward Herlihy Road.  This descent has been made better over the years with improvements on the trail with the use of switchbacks and relocating the trail away from an old washed out logging road.  When you finally reach Herlihy Road; watch your step on the steep embankment just prior to the road!

When you get to the road you are at the paved parking area/turn around.  The orange blazes actually go right here.  Unless you want to walk 1.2 miles to NY 80, turn left at the "Pavement Ends" sign and follow the seasonal dirt section of Herlihy Road.  There are no blazes to follow, just follow the dirt road.  At the "Y" stay straight and you'll soon see your car back at the Spruce Pond parking area.

Pictures from the Fellows Hill Loop

Spruce Pond Near the traihead parking area, on the North Country Trail on 8/13/07.	Herlihy Road The seasonal dirt section of Herlihy Road in Morgan Hill State Forest.	Orange Blazes Follow the Orange Blazes.	Scrappy is ready Dog is ready to go at the start of the Fellows Hill Loop hike on 8/13/07.	Spruce Pond From the parking area at the Spruce Pond Trailhead.
Kiosk North Country Trail kiosk at Spruce Pond	Campsite One of many campsites near Spruce Pond	Logging Road Muddy logging road	Clear Cut Trail crossing a clear cut area	Trail Following the trail
Clear Cut View of a clear cut along the trail	Trail register At the summit of Fellows Hill aka "Fabius Summit"	Summit Marker USGS marker on Fellows Hill summit	Herlihy Road At the paved parking area/turn around	Spruce Pond Parking Area Trailhead for this hike.

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