Bear Swamp Hike (new date)

Note: the date of this hike has been changed.

On December 20th, we’ll repeat our Bear Swamp hike.  The October hike was a great success and there were several requests that we do it again after the leaves fall, so we’ll repeat it, hoping that the weather is decent.

Below is a map link and we’ll start out at 1PM from the parking lot on Bear Swamp Road, just north of the intersection with Iowa Road. (Please be on time as sunset’s at 4:30.)

The easiest way to get there is to follow Rt.41A south out of Skaneateles. About 16 miles south of Skaneateles you will pass the Colonial Lodge as Rt. 41A swings through a long S-turn to the left. Then, 1¼ miles past the Colonial Inn, make a left turn onto Iowa Road.  At the T-intersection with Bear Swamp Road, turn left and go ¼ mile to the parking lot on the right.  (Some of the roads from Rt. 41 in the valley are blocked off.)  

A map is available here-->   Bear Swamp Map

• The link to the DEC map shows the trails and we’ll take Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, and Y7.
  
• The total distance is about 4 miles up and down through some mature hill-top forests and, depending on the weather, there could be some interesting going through muddy and rocky areas.
  
• Along the last part of the hike, Y6, we’ll be on the downside of the ridge and should get some good views of Skaneateles Lake and the valley since the leaves will be down.
  
• Along the way we can talk about where to get together afterward.