The Voice of Business and Community In Central New York

          Water! Being on or near the water soothes the soul, excites the senses The draw of water is universal. The Finger Lakes Region of New York State is all about water and you are invited to come and enjoy its bounty.
          The watershed system of the Finger Lakes Region is a geological marvel, formed at the end of the last Glacial Age about 10,000 years ago. Rivers, streams, creeks, lakes, canals and ponds form an intricate network that connects to the Great Lakes and eventually to the Atlantic Ocean.
          The waterways of the Finger Lakes have been the lifeblood for all who have made their homes in this section of New York State. The names of its lakes Seneca, Cayuga, Canandaigua, Keuka, and Owasco are tied to the Iroquois people, who settled in the region over 600 years ago. It was here that the Iroquois Confederacy was created about 1550 and it was the waterways that linked the tribes. The rivers, lakes and streams provided the means of transportation for the settlers who arrived after the Revolutionary War.
          The waterways fueled the pioneer economies, powering the grist and sawmills in the newly established towns. As the area grew and developed, the waterways linked these communities to the markets in the east and west. The building of the Erie Canal in the 1820s had a profound impact on the region historically, ethnically and culturally. Today the waterways of the Finger Lakes Region are focal points for tourists from around the world.
          The canoe and kayak are ideal for exploring the waterways of the Finger Lakes Region, allowing for a more leisurely pace and a chance to observe the flora and fauna of the area. Hiking and biking trails also provide the visitor with unique opportunities to experience the waterways.

Paddling Adventures
          Paddlers will find a myriad of trip possibilities on the streams, canals, and lakes of the Finger Lakes Region. One 8-mile canoe trip on Ganargua Creek in Wayne County starts at Swifts Landing Park in Palmyra and ends at Norsen Bridge Park in the town of Arcadia. Or take the full day trip to Abbey Park in Lyons, NY where Ganargua meets the NYS Erie Barge Canal. Guided tours of this historic waterway are provided by Kayak Quests, operating from Lyons, NY.
          Paddlers, who are also bird-watchers get a special treat as they glide around Howland Island in Cayuga County. The Howland Island Wildlife Management Area includes 3,600 acres of diverse habitat and is located within the Montezuma Wetlands Complex. Paddlers can also go ashore to hike the trails, which crisscross the island. Other NYS Wildlife Management Areas with great paddling opportunities include Galen and Lake Shore Marshes in Wayne County, High Tor in Ontario County, and Northern Montezuma, which includes land in Cayuga, Seneca and Wayne Counties.
          Canoers and kayakers find plenty of adventure on the quiet waters of the canals in the Finger Lakes Region. The Cayuga-Seneca Canal links Lakes Seneca and Cayuga to the famous NYS Erie Barge Canal. Paddlers along this 12 mile stretch of water will pass through the villages of Waterloo (birthplace of Memorial Day) and Seneca Falls (site of the First Womens Rights Convention). They will also have the opportunity to lock through. Locktenders will allow canoers and kayakers, equipped with proper safety gear, to enter the locks for a ride of a lifetime. There is no lock fee for boats without motors. The locks now in operation on the Canal were built in the early 1900s so be sure to take a minute to talk with the locktenders about this historical engineering system.
          Paddling on any of the major Finger Lakes is always an option, but boaters must be aware that water conditions can change rapidly. Staying close to the shoreline and being aware of surroundings is vital to safe paddling on these waters. A great place to start a lake trip is Ithaca, NY, home of Cornell University, located on the southern end of Cayuga Lake. From this point, paddlers can go into the lake or up streams. Canoe and kayak rentals and guided canoe trips are offered by Cayuga Boat Rentals out of Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY. Puddle Dockers, also located in Ithaca, NY rents canoes and kayaks and provides kayak lessons.
          Keuka Lake takes its name from the Indian word for canoe landing so it only makes sense that paddlers should venture out onto this Finger Lake. Early settlers to the region named the lake Crooked Lake because of its Y shape. Leaving port at Penn Yan, NY, located at the tip of the northeast arm of the Y, paddlers will be treated to the spectacular view of bluffs towering 700 feet above the lake surface. These bluffs dominate the landscape between the two branches of the Y. The trip down to Bluff Point and up the other arm of the Y to Branchport is about 18 miles.
          The smallest and highest of the famous Finger Lakes is Canadice Lake, located in southwest Ontario County about 30 miles south of Rochester, NY. It is also virtually undeveloped which makes it very attractive to paddlers. The beautifully wooded shores and hillsides make you feel as if you are in the remote reaches of Canada and there are numerous places to pull out so you can explore on foot. The City of Rochester Water Department regulates recreational use of Canadice Lake. Fishing and boating are allowed by permit only. Boats may not exceed 16 feet and motors may not exceed 10 h.p. Permits may be obtained free of charge from a self-service kiosk, located Hemlock Lake Park on Route 15A.
          Never paddled? Want to learn? There are plenty of services throughout the Finger Lakes Region that rent equipment, give instructions and even conduct guided tours. Contact County Tourism Offices for services in the area you plan to visit.

Hiking and Biking The Trails           The entire Finger Lakes Region is crisscrossed with hiking trails suitable for all ages and abilities and most of them are linked to the waterways of the region. The six- mile Outlet Trail from Penn Yan to Dresden in Yates County follows the route of the Crooked Lake Outlet, which links Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The path passes by three of the earliest settlements and mill sites in the region. The Friends Mill was established in 1790 by followers of Jemima Wilkinson, the Publick Universal Friend and was used by settlers from throughout the region. Charles Williamson established a gristmill at Hopeton in 1794 the same year that a mill was started in what is the present village of Penn Yan. This multi-use trail, named one of the top 25 hiking trails in the Northeast, allows trail enthusiasts to hike, bike or horseback ride.
     Cornell Plantations in Ithaca, NY maintains three trails which highlight the magnificent geologic wonders and gorges of the region. The Beebe Lake Trail, a gently sloping path, winds through the woods and along the lakeshore. The Fall Creek Gorge Trail offers a panoramic view of Cayuga Lake. For the more adventurous take the steps which zigzag down the steep cool north-facing gorge bank to the stone ledge along Fall Creek. The Cascadilla Glen Trail offers a great diversity of scenery and habitat as the path drops from the top of the gorge down to the creek bed. Visit the Plantations website for details at www.plantations.cornell.edu.
          To walk the trails at Ganondagan (ga-NON-da-gan) State Historic Site in Victor, NY is to take a step back to the 1600s. In the summer of 1687 French forces stationed in Canada descended upon the prosperous Seneca village of 150 longhouses which stood on this site. It would be 300 years before the site would come to life again. Three marked trails tell visitors about the significance of plant life to the Seneca, customs and beliefs of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and the history of the terrible day in July 1687 when Ganondagan was destroyed. You can make the visit to Ganondagan part of a longer hike by traversing the Victor Hiking Trails. To learn more about this State Historic Site visit www.ganondagan.org.
          The Finger Lakes National Forest, located between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes on 16,000 acres, maintains nine different trails, which offer the hiker a full range of challenges. The Interloken Trail (12 miles) traverses the Forest north to south and is a section of the much larger 552-mile Finger Lakes Trail System. The 2-½ mile Potomac Trail has a nice loop for new cross-country skiers. For a complete list of trails visit www.fs.fed.us/recreation or call 607-546-4470.
          It has been said that some hikers on the Erie Canal Trail in Cayuga County have reported hearing the shouts of canawlers as they traverse the route of this historic waterway. Or maybe they just imagined it. Regardless this trail is full of surprises as it passes through woodland, farmland and the villages of Weedsport and Port Byron. Be sure to stop at the Centerport Aqueduct near Weedsport, an excellent example of Erie Canal stone work, and at Lock 52 in Port Byron. For details and map visit www.co.cayuga.ny.us/parks.
          Chimney Bluffs State Park on the shore of Lake Ontario is a treasure trove for the hiker. The main draws are the geological formations and the flora of the site. The bluffs were formed from a truncated drumlin that has been exposed to wind, rain and waves. Hikers are cautioned to be very careful when walking along the trail at the top of the bluffs as erosion makes the terrain dangerous. The inland trail affords views of the East Bay estuary and lots of flowers. For directions to Chimney Bluffs State Park call 1-800-527-6510.
          Visitors and residents to the Finger Lakes Region are never far from the water and there are many ways to enjoy this resource. Two free publications highlight these opportunities. Canal Connections and Hiking and Biking Guide to the Central Finger Lakes are available by calling 1-800-228-2760 or contacting the website www.finger-lakes.com