The Finger Lakes Trail crosses NY 23 just south of Pharsalia WMA and enters New Michigan State Forest along seasonal dirt Fred Stewart Road. There are signs that also call this area Pharsalia Woods State Forest. This area was hit by a tornado in May 2011 that devastated part of the forest. You may still see some of the tornado damage. There is one shelter available for backpackers along this stretch of the trail.

The trail is fairly level within the state forest and this section of trail is easy hiking. There are different types of forest that you will encounter.  Parts of the trail follow seasonal dirt roads briefly.  Parts of the trail travels past old stone walls and if you look very hard, you may see the remnants of the farmers who had once made this area their homes many years ago.

The FLTC placed a memorial stone bench in honor of Ed Sidote aka Mr. FLT along the trail. The Pharsalia Woods Lean To was constructed in late 2013 and is located near the memorial bench. This shelter features a picnic table, fire ring, benches, a rocking chair, tenting sites and an open air privy. This stretch of the Finger Lakes Trail is featured on map M23 from the FLTC.

DIRECTIONS:  From Syracuse take I-81 south to Exit 15. 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 small pull off parking area to the right. Park here. The GPS coordinates are N42 35.994 W75 42.500 for those who have a GPS devise.

Finger Lakes Trail passing by an old stone wall

Ed Sidote Memorial Bench & old stone walls

Mile	Elevation	Finger Lakes Trail Description (North to South)
0.0	1844 feet	Finger Lakes Trail leaves Pharsalia WMA and turns right on Grover Brown Rd.  Descend rapidly.  Next 1.8 miles is a road walk.
0.7	1532 feet	Reach NY 23 and turn right.
1.1	1556 feet	Turn right on Fred Stewart Road.
1.6	1806 feet	Reach Center Street and turn right.
1.7	1808 feet	Turn left on seasonal dirt Fred Stewart Road.
1.8	1816 feet	Trailhead parking area, Finger Lakes Trail turns right into forest.  Entering New Michigan State Forest.  Follow white blazes.  The blue blazed Plymouth Loop Trail follows the road.
2.6	1781 feet	Reach dirt CCC Truck Road and turn left, following road.
2.9	1766 feet	Trail turns right into forest.
3.6	1777 feet	Ed Sidote Memorial Bench. Side trail on right travels to the Pharsalia Woods Lean To.
3.9	1778 feet	Cross season dirt Fred Stewart Road.
4.0	1753 feet	Reach dirt CCC Truck Road and turn right, following road. Soon old CCC water hole.
4.2	1752 feet	Trail turns right into forest
4.4	1780 feet	Junction of the blue blazed Plymouth Loop Trail.
4.75	1894 feet	Highest point along FLT in New Michigan State Forest
5.4	1808 feet	Reach Fred Stewart Road and leave New Michigan State Forest.  The FLT has a road walk to Tower Rd and Berry Hill Fire Tower.  To continue see McDonough State Forest.