To the dismay of many, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of this very cold and snowy winter.
This winter, New Yorkers have faced subzero temperatures and frequent snowstorms that have kept many indoors. Though the winter can bring harsh temperatures and weather, it also brings scenic views to the Finger Lakes Region.
If you love to hike and feel trapped indoors, you don’t necessarily have to wait for the spring months. Many Finger Lakes hikes and state parks are open year-round and have plenty of winter activities and beautiful views that everyone can enjoy- even in the cold.
Grab your snow boots, bundle up and check out these four awesome winter hikes to take in the Finger Lakes Region this snowy season:
Keuka Outlet Trail
This seven-mile trail spans from the outlet of Keuka Lake in Penn Yan to Seneca Lake to the inlet near Seneca Lake in Dresden. The trail was built on the track bed of the former Fall Brook Railroad, which followed what once was a canal connecting both lakes, known as Crooked Lake Canal.
According to Friends of the Outlet Inc., the Keuka Outlet Trail is known to be one of the first “rail trails.” The trail is home to a popular waterfall, Seneca Mill Falls, located at the Lion Bruce Hansen Memorial Park about halfway through the trail. This waterfall offers stunning views in the winter season.
The Keuka Outlet Trail is a free, multi-use trail that is open from sunrise to sunset year-round. Guests can enjoy activities like hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling in the winter.
For more information on the trail, visit https://www.keukaoutlettrail.org/.
Taughannock Falls State Park
Taughannock Falls State Park, located in Ulysses, Tompkins County, near the shores of Cayuga Lake, is home to the is the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi. For the winter season, the 750-acre state park offers a multi-use trail for hiking, cross-country skiing, along with slopes for sledding and natural skating ponds.
According to the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the stairs leading to the North and South Rim trails have been closed for the season; however, there are alternate route signs guests can follow.
The park is open year-round from dusk to dawn, and has an entry fee of $10 per vehicle.
For more information on Taughannock Falls State Park, visit https://parks.ny.gov/visit/state-parks/taughannock-falls-state-park.
Ganondagan State Historic Site
Ganondagan State Historic Site is the original site of a large 17th-century Seneca Town in Victor, Ontario County. It offers multiple hiking trails that are open year-round, dusk until dawn, weather permitting. You can hike the trails on your own self-guided tour, or grab 10 friends and sign up for a group tour.
Group tours must have a minimum of 10 people and must be reserved two weeks in advance. Tickets for group tours are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $5 for students (preschool to college).
November to April admission at the Ganondagan State Historic Site includes a self-guided tour of the Seneca Art & Culture gallery and the Iroquois Creation Story film. Tickets for the November to April admission are $6 for adults, $3 for seniors, $3 for students ages 12-years-old through college, $1 for children ages five to 11, and free for children four and under.
For more information or questions about the Ganondagan State Historic Site, call 585-924-5848 or visit https://www.ganondagan.org/visit.
RMSC Cumming Nature Center
The RMSC Cumming Nature Center, located in Naples, offers many outdoor hikes and activities during the winter season. On select Saturdays and Sundays, the center has its Winter Wild Walk Series, where you can take themed guided tours and hikes like the Snowshoe Hike, Animal Babies and more.
During the upcoming February break, the Cumming Nature Center will host a week full of weather and climate-themed activities like animal tracking, guided snowshoe hikes, meteorology with James Gilbert and more. This event will be held from Feb. 14 through Feb. 20.
The nature center is home to 900 acres of land and 12 miles of trails that can be accessed throughout the winter season. For more information on the RMSC Cumming Nature Center, visit https://rmsc.org/cumming-nature-center/.
— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who covers breaking and trending news for the Finger Lakes Region. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn’t help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 4 scenic hikes to enjoy this winter in the Finger Lakes
Reporting by Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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