Bucks Brook State Forest Loop (5.0 miles)
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South Otselic Weather Forecast, NY |
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If this loop hike looks familiar, then you've probably have seen it in one of the many hiking books for New York. It is a very popular hike in Central New York, but you can still do this hike and not see one person. This loop features 2.9 miles of the Finger Lakes Trail as well as 2.1 miles of seasonal dirt roads to create a five mile loop within Bucks Brook State Forest. The section along Bucks Brook Road follows the gorge of Bucks Brook. While you cross a very small Bucks Brook on a footbridge along the FLT. Directions: From Deruyter take County Route 58, which becomes County Route 16 as you enter Chenango County. Turn right on Ridge Road and park at the Finger Lakes Trail crossing on the left in about 1.8 miles. |
| Mile | Elevation | Hike Description |
| 0.0 | 1721 feet |
Starting at FLT trailhead on Ridge Road, enter woods heading EAST. Follow white blazes. |
| 0.1 | 1694 feet |
Cross Bucks Brook on footbridge
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| 0.4 | 1817 feet |
Old Logging Road. Turn right, then quick left following white blazes. |
| 0.8 | 1829 feet |
Highest point during this loop. |
| 1.0 | 1702 feet |
Old ruins on left, then trail turns right
just before reaching stream.
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| 1.05 | 1682 feet |
Cross old jeep trail and pass through old
stone fence.
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| 2.5 | 1653 feet |
Begin steep descent toward Bucks Brook Road. |
| 2.9 | 1362 feet |
Reach Bucks Brook Road and turn right,
following dirt road.
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| 4.6 | 1648 feet |
Cross Bucks Brook on bridge. |
| 4.7 | 1711 feet |
Reach Ridge Road and turn right following dirt road. |
| 4.9 | 1724 feet |
Finger Lakes Trail on left (heading west toward Ratville Rd). Continue straight on road. |
| 5.0 | 1721 feet |
Reach starting point of this loop hike and your vehicle. |
| CNY Hiking Home Page | Bucks Brook State Forest | Finger Lakes Trail |
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