This is one of the official loop trails of the Finger Lakes Trail System.  This trail system has over 900 miles of hiking trails in New York.  The Plymouth Loop has blue blazes while the Finger Lakes Trail has white blazes.  This loop utilizes both trails.

The highlight of this loop is the Plymouth Lean-To.  The lean to is rather old and there are plans on replacing the lean to as well finding a closer spot There are also remnants of the former landowners before this was state forest including some impressive stone walls.  This loop is not as popular as other loops in the Finger Lakes Trail System, but don't let that deter you from hiking here.

This loop has an elevation change of about 475 feet and is easy to hike.  This hike is nearly 7 miles long. 

DIRECTIONS:  From Lafayette take US 20 EAST to NY 91 South.  In Fabius turn left on NY 80 East.  Just past entering Madison County turn right on East Lake Rd.  Turn right on NY 13 South and in DeRuyter turn left at the stop sign onto Albany Street.  This road now turns into Crumb Hill Rd.  Turn right on Maripossa Rd, then in South Otselic, turn right onto NY 26 South. 

After you pass the Otselic Fish Hatchery, turn left on County Route 42 (sign for Norwich & Bowman Lake State park).  Now turn left on NY 23 North.  In just about one mile turn (veer) right on North Rd.  When the pavement ends, turn left on Center Rd.  In another mile (after farm on right), turn right onto Fred Stewart Rd (seasonal dirt road).  Shortly you will see a FLT sign and a parking area to the right.  Park here.

Pictures from along the Plymouth Loop

Finger Lakes Trail Near the beginning of the Plymouth Loop Hike.	Chenango 5 Truck Rd The first of three walks along this seasonal dirt road during the Plymouth Loop Hike.	Finger Lakes Trail FLT in New Michigan State Forest on 8/5/07.	Stone Wall An impressive old stone wall along FLT in New Michigan State Forest on 8/5/07.	Finger Lakes Trail FLT along an old stone wall in New Michigan State Forest.
Old Stone Wall Another look at the old stone wall along the FLT near Fred Stewart Rd in New Michigan State Forest.	Old Foundation An old foundation near Fred Stewart Rd along the Finger Lakes Trail in New Michigan State Forest.	Old road grade The old road grade that the FLT briefly follows between Fred Stewart Rd & Chenango Truck 5 Rd in New Michigan State Forest.	Finger Lakes Trail Just north of the junction with the blue blazed spur trail in New Michigan State Forest.	Chenango 5 Truck Rd The blue blazed spur trail follows this dirt road for a short while.
Turn Left here! Turn left at this sign while hiking the Plymouth Loop.	The grassy lane The grassy lane the blue blazed trail follows in New Michigan State Forest.	Brambles! Notice Scrappy disappearing in the brambles.	Old woods road Trail follows this old dirt road to the Plymouth Lean-To.	Plymouth Lean-To Scrappy's happy to finally arrive at the lean-to.
Plymouth Lean-To The Plymouth Lean-To in New Michigan State Forest on 8/5/07.	FLT sign The FLT sign at the Blue Blazed trail "split".	More Brambles! Poor doggy!	The final stretch of the hike. Heading north on Fred Stewart Rd on the last part of the Plymouth Loop in New Michigan State Forest.	White Blazes White blazes of the Finger Lakes Trail in New Michigan State Forest.

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