Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area

In the month of October, there are few places that rival the Northeast for autumn color. If fall foliage is on your mind, the Finger Lakes is an ideal destination. 

High Tor Wildlife Management Area's purpose is to provide large tracts of continuous and varied ecosystems for Finger Lakes wildlife (about 6,800 acres in total). With its steep wooded hills, sharp cliffs, meadows, marshes, grasslands, and streams, habitat diversity is well-represented. Conklin Gully leads you through all of these variations. The topography comes from glaciers, which carved their way through this land. Rivers then wore these down creating a series of deep glens and gullies across the region. The sediment layers you see come from the Finger Lakes having been under an large inland sea. 

High Tor's Conklin Gully is located on the southern tip of Canandaigua Lake on the eastern side of the Village of Naples. For a pleasant 3-4 miles walk, park in the dirt lot of Rte. 245/ Rushville Rd. There is a trail network sign, but it's not very accurate. Hash marks exist but did not seem to be entirely logical. Here are directions for a pleasant 1.5 - 4 mile hike.

From the trailhead, the path immediately shoots steeply upward. Once you reach the top, it levels out. Within about 0.5 mile the trail opens up to a small meadow. You can follow the path through the meadow or stay to your left where the path contours the edge of a rather steep cliff. The creek below you is the same one that runs alongside the parking lot and eventually empties into Canandaigua Lake. After the meadow, there is a wooded section taking you through small drainage gullies. Eventually the path leads up again and opens up at a point. Be sure to check out the views that open up across Conklin Gully. Pay attention though, the drop is steep and abrupt. In fact, the wooded area camouflages the severity of the drop. 

Continue on the trail, which then takes you down and across a small wooden bridge. From here you can continue to your left and follow the path that ambles along the cliff's contoured edge. If you opt for this route, make sure you have good traction on your shoes. If you have a dog with you, make sure it's one that isn't prone to running mindlessly or pulling you off balance. Going left eventually drops you onto a service road/path, which you can follow back to the parking lot. Alternatively, you can veer to the right and up and stay away from the precipice. This trail eventually leads to a "T" on the blue trail. You can follow the path upward until you feel ready to turn around and retrace your steps back to the parking lot. 

High Tor is spectacular in the autumn and immerses you in the heart of a mixed hardwood forest loaded with maples, beeches, oaks and other trees that provide the rich and beautiful reds, golds, and peach colors. Early autumn chills have killed off many bugs, but ticks are an issue so check yourself and pets when you're done.