Finger Lakes Trail
North Country Trail
Taylor Valley State Forest
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Finger Lakes Trail North Country Trail Taylor Valley State Forest
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The Finger Lakes/North Country Trail crosses NY 41 near Solon at the start of this section. The first 0.2 mile is on private land before the trail enters Taylor Valley State Forest. The trail climbs Mount Tego (elevation 1810 feet) and then drops to a footbridge over Pritchard Creek.
The trail then crosses Telephone Road and climbs to the summit of Mount Roderick (elevation 1909 feet). You'll pass the foundation ruins of an old home and a grave site for the old landowners from long ago. Soon there are winter views on your right through the trees. This is a very scenic section of the trail and is one of the best sections of the FLT/NCT in New York.
The trail passes Hill Top Pond on your left before beginning a long descent toward Cheningo Creek and crossing the creek. Currently there is no bridge over the creek and it can be a difficult & dangerous crossing in high water. A new crossing was built in 2009 that utilizes large boulders to cross the creek (see panorama above) at a very scenic point along the creek.
The trail reaches the DEC Cheningo Day Use Area after climbing old stairs and crossing Taylor Valley Road. There is a picnic pavilion here and is a popular spot for camping. The trail now begins a 700 foot ascent toward Allen Hill. Soon the trail reaches private land for it's descent toward Cheningo Solon Road. This section of trail is CLOSED during hunting season from Oct 1 to Jan 1. Please respect the landowners request and stay off this section of trail during those dates.
You can help support this trail by purchasing the official map of this section of trail by visiting the Finger Lakes Trail Conference web site. The map for this section is map M21. Check below for a map and description of this section of the trail.
While in the area check out Alice's Dowry Bed & Breakfast in Cincinnatus. It's conveniently located for those looking to hike the Finger Lakes Trail.
Pictures from along the trail
Old grave site
Trail register near Mt Roderick
Winter views
Big log along trail
Along the trail
Along the trail
Along the trail
Pritchard Brook
Footbridge over Pritchard Brook
Footbridge over Pritchard Brook
Trail near Cheningo Creek
New Cheningo Creek crossing
Scenic spot at new Cheningo Creek crossing
small stream along trail
New creek crossing
| Mile | Elevation | Finger Lakes/North Country Trail Description (west to east) |
| 0.0 | 1352 ft |
Continuation from Baker School State Forest. The Finger Lakes/North Country Trail crosses NY 41. Parking. Start of this section is on PRIVATE PROPERTY. Begin ascending. Follow white blazes. |
| 0.2 | 1488 ft |
Entering Taylor Valley State Forest. |
| 0.3 | 1514 ft |
Trail veers left and follows an old DEC logging trail. |
| 0.7 | 1810 ft |
Mount Tego summit. |
| 1.0 | 1699 ft |
Very Steep descent. |
| 1.2 | 1457 ft |
Cross Pritchard Brook on a log bridge. |
| 1.4 | 1500 ft |
Cross Telephone Road.
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| 2.1 | 1730 ft |
Cross seasonal dirt Cortland Two Road.
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| 2.7 | 1900 ft |
Mount Roderick summit. Some winters views on your right as you continue along the trail toward Hill Top Pond. |
| 3.1 | 1833 ft |
Trail register. |
| 4.2 | 1802 ft |
Pass Hill Top Pond on right, then reach Cortland Two Road and follow the seasonal dirt road downhill. Parking. |
| 5.3 | 1253 ft |
Trail veers right off the seasonal dirt road.
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| 5.8 | 1217 ft |
Views of Taylor Valley & surrounding hills on
your left.
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| 6.2 | 1179 ft |
Cross Chenango Creek on large boulders. No bridge. Can be difficult during high water times. The trail follows an old woods road, then turns right following another woods road. |
| 6.3 | 1223 ft |
Trail veers right off old road, goes up old stairs, pass North Country Trail Kiosk, then cross Taylor Valley Rd. Reach Cheningo Day Use Area. Parking, picnic pavilion & tables, camping. Look below for a video from YouTube and a few pictures.
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| 6.4 | 1230 ft |
Begin ascending on switchbacks. |
| 7.8 | 1933 ft |
Cross old grassy road. |
| 8.1 | 1871 ft |
Trail veers right. |
| 8.5 | 1748 ft |
Leave Taylor Valley State Forest. Entering PRIVATE PROPERTY. NOTE: Trail is CLOSED BETWEEN OCTOBER 1st and JANUARY 1st for HUNTING on this land. |
| 8.8 | 1439 ft |
Cross Cheningo Solon Pond Road. End of this section. For a continuation see Cuyler Hill State Forest. |
| CNY Hiking HOME PAGE | Taylor Valley State Forest | Finger Lakes Trail |
| Finger Lakes Trail Central Section | State Lands SE of Syracuse | North Country Trail in Central New York |
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