This 2.2 mile stretch of the North Country Trail features Bear Creek State Forest. This section of the NCT coincides with the white blazed Finger Lakes Trail.

At 547 acres, Bear Creek State Forest is smaller than most state forests. This state forest is located northwest of Franklinville, NY just off NY 16 along Upper Bear Creek Road. The North Country Trail travels just over two miles through the western, southern and eastern parts of the forest.  There is an abandoned road that runs along Bear Creek through the middle of the forest and logging tracks that gives hikers other options to explore within the state forest.  There is also power lines that run north-south through the forest that offers another hiking option in the forest.

Look below for a picture, map and detailed trail description of this section of the trail.

Entering Bear Creek State Forest

Mile	Elevation	North Country Trail Description
0.0	1797 feet	Parking. Trail turns right off road near the left bend of the road.  Enter Bear Creek State Forest and ascend.
0.25	1964 feet	Trail veers left.
0.45	2026 feet	Highest point along trail in Bear Creek State Forest.
0.75	1936 feet	Begin to ascend.
1.1	2025 feet	Begin to descend.
1.3	1918 feet	Trail turns left.
1.7	1905 feet	Begin steep descent toward Bear Creek Road.  Part of the way along logging road.
2.1	1684 feet	Cross Bear Creek.  No bridge.
2.2	1683 feet	Reach Bear Creek Road.  End of this section.  NCT turns right and follows road to NY 16 south to just pass Ten Broeck Cemetery.  For a continuation see Kingsbury Hill.