FLT/NCT: Shindagin Hollow State Forest from Ridgeway Road

Continuing my westward exploration of the Finger Lakes Trail (FLT), this would be my last new section of trail partially within Shindagin Hollow State Forest.  On my last hike here, I had turned back at the top of Braley Hill, not at a road crossing.  Today I parked at the trailhead on Ridgeway Road and hiked east until I reached the trail junction on the top of Braley Hill, then re-traced my steps the way I came.  Much of the hike was through private property; only the eastern extent lies within State Forest lands.  I am so grateful to the landowners who so kindly allow these hiking easements.  The trailhead on Ridgeway Road is right off someone's driveway.  What gracious folks!

NCT: Emhoff Road to Clark Road

For this hike, I parked at the Emhoff Road crossing, and Frankie and I hiked south to Clark Road and back.  This section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) follows the Link Trail, which takes its name because it connects the Finger Lakes Trail and the Erie Canal Trail.  I had offered Frankie several hikes to choose from and this was his selection for today.  He had hiked the adjacent section to the north in October 2016, and the section to the south into Cazenovia for dinner with Erwin last November.  So this hike filled a gap for him (I had hiked it previously by myself).  It was overcast and I carried our raincoats, but we never needed them.