Weeping Falls

Found this series of falls up past Angel Falls in Conklin/Parish gully in High Tor today. New to me - a series of step falls and then a box canyon - at least 100 feet or more drop.  Started at Parish Road and ran up to the DEC access road - marked with a handicap 4 wheeler sign.  Followed the blue blazes and 4 wheeler trail until the ended in the creek bed.  Follow the creek bed up to Angel Falls.

View coming back down the south rim

smaller step falls

Angel Falls - photo does not give justice 

Approach to Angel Falls

Nundawao

Entrance to the trail.

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Did this run today.  Started at the new overlook in the valley and then headed up the Great Hill to run the Nundawoa loop.  Trail starts out mowed to a kiosk, then old road with a single track loop.  Not well worn, but white blazes mark the trail well.  Old growth forest and glimpses of Canandaigua Lake throughout.

forest trail marked with white blazes

New overlook with mulch path and information.

Legend of Bare Hill

The Jump Off to the beaver pond.

A classic down hill - start at the Jump Off in Ontario County Park, the highest point in Ontario County.  Follow the orange blaze markers starting to the left of the lookout to wind your way down single track trail to the beaver pond.

View north to Rochester from the Jump Off

Views of the beaver pond found at the bottom of the trail - about 3 miles from Ontario County Park.

Italy Valley FLT

The FLT up and out of Italy Valley to Italy Turnpike.  Italy valley is picturesque - starting from white barn and green fields, a well-defined old logging road takes you up and over.

Trail head in Italy Valley

The new 'outback inn' - a welcome spot.

View south towards Hammondsport

Camp Cutler FLT

I had forgotten what a rip the Finger Lakes Trail is through the Camp Cutler Boy Scout Camp is. A steep climb gets you up on top - then a rolling trail along the top takes you past a glacial boulder and on to two great overlooks.  The descent is serpentine.  Hike it, run it, bike it.  Camp Cutler keeps its trails open to mountain bikes.

First overlook - view to the east.

From the top looking east

View south from overlook

Looking south

Seating on the overlook bench

A morning on the Finger Lakes Trail.

Some images from my 2.5 hour run from Naples creek to Italy valley. Orange flt - a bit dicey off wood hill due to logging, but a great day.

Pond in the morning. High Tor.

Top of Parish Gully

Gully Crossing

FLT top of Wood Hill looking down into Italy Valley

Tannery Creek Falls

Nothing better than a cool, ok - cold, shower on a hot day.  These two young hikers enjoy playing under the falls.  Hot weather plus so much rain, there has never been a more beautiful time to explore the waterfalls and gullies of Naples.

Waterfalls up close.

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Another reason to unplug and go for a hike.

A 2012 study, Creativity in the Wild, demonstrated that immersion in nature improved a person's ability to solve creativity problem solving tasks.

Attention Restoration Theory (ART) puts forth the notion that spending time in nature can improve higher order cognitive function - thinking skills - such as selective attention, problem solving, and multi-tasking. 

The study unplugged people and immersed them in nature for four days as part of an Outward Bound Course.  Participants were then tested in the field and demonstrated a 50% improvement in creative problem solving tasks.

Is it being in the woods or is it just being unplugged - who cares.  Either way you are out of your sterile world and actively moving in our natural environment.

You may not have four days, but four hours is a start to rewiring your brain.

Furtherance

Furtherance: Guided Recreation & Education aims to create a dynamic experience through engaged activity. Naples is a community with much to offer for those wanting to get out and explore. Physical activity is good for the mind and Furtherance aims to get visitors to the Naples area out and moving. Furtherance also provides educational opportunities and active learning in the Naples community.


Furtherance was started by Seth Almekinder in 2015. Born and raised in Naples, Seth is returning after 12 years abroad working as an educator and coach. His background and experience provide him with the skills and expertise to create a memorable outdoor experience for all ages. He has led middle school groups through the Tatra Mountains, families through the streets of Jerusalem, basketball teams throughout Europe, and mountain bike events in the hills of Naples.


Seth has spent years mountain biking, hiking, and trail running through the area. He has 20 years of classroom and coaching experience. His wife is works at Keuka College and he is a father of two children.


Discover more with an experienced guide with local knowledge to accommodate all ages and levels of experience.

Grimes Glenn

The sun spilled through the trees as we walked up, we passed more than a few wet hikers on their way out. Went out last night in the evening sun to take some photos for the blog.  How Grimes Glenn has changed.  From Darryl Abraham's piece on the new bridge, to the wide trail - almost to the first falls - it is a real park.  No longer just the blue & yellow Oldest Fossil Tree plaque, a covered interpretive kiosk now greets the visitor.

about as close as you can get without getting wet

6:15 on a June evening

The path up Grimes Glenn