The Finger Lakes Trail is one of the quieter routes in the extensive Callaghan Country trail network. This well-marked trail, open to snowshoers and cross-country skiers, explores a marshy lowland shaded by old-growth cedars. Paired with the Real Life Trail, these two trails create a pleasant loop that showcases the beauty of the forest.
If you're headed out toward Finger Lakes after fresh snowfall, be prepared to do a little extra work. While there are frequent markers and flags on the trees to direct you on your route, the lack of old tracks may mean you'll be breaking trail through the snow. This is not a groomed trail; be prepared to watch closely for trail markers and cut a new path for the next visitors.
Since the area here is very wet, several streams of various sizes trickle across the trail. When the snow level is high and the air is cold, snow bridges make crossing the streams quite easy. When the snow level is low or there has been a period of melting, there may be some interesting and wet crossings. Give yourself some extra time to negotiate the potential challenges you may face along the way. These challenges are what make the Finger Lakes Trail feel like more of an adventure than the nicely groomed ski trails.
Once you've skirted across the creeks and visited the two Finger Lakes, the trail drops back onto one of those groomed trails for an easy cruise back to the parking lot. If you're feeling energetic after completing the loop, consider taking a side trip to Alexander Falls to get an even better introduction to the Callaghan Valley. And if you are exploring the area for a few days, the Journeyman Lodge provides cozy accommodations and incredible access to the snowshoe and cross-country ski trails in this area.
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