I have lived most of my life in Central New York (CNY).  I have hiked all over the 7 counties that make up the Finger Lakes, and spent many summer in the Adirondack mtns.  Though if the truth be told, I greatly prefer the flatter western Adirondacks than the “High Peaks” region. The High peaks along with Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, and the Olympic features get so much tourist traffic.  When I was in college (lets say in the 80’s), Hiker counts in the central High Peaks were around 4,000 on a holiday weekend.  I note in articles published this year the ADK Loj (the jumping off point for hiking many of the High Peaks) sees around 600 people each weekend day.  These are people who stop at the Loj.  Not the majority that just park and start hiking.  So for me, this is too crowded. Too crowded for me, to Crowded for the facilities, and too crowded and damaging to the natural environment.  I’ll do my part to preserve the high peaks area by staying away from them. But the ADK is a topic for another post (next week).  Lets talk about the finger lakes.

The finger lakes are basically 7 long thin lakes that were carved by glaciers several years before I was around.  They are very deep, and for the most part very clear,  cold,  clean water. When I was with NY Fish & Wildlife I helped net fish from the bottom (>200ft) and test and study the water quality.  Cornell University actually cools their entire campus by “borrowing” water from the bottom and using it to cool their A/C system and then returning it to the lake.  The result seems to have no effect on the overall lake. Though the area immediately around the return pipe was 4-8deg warmer during the hottest days of the summer.  But the lake recovers its intense coldness during the winter.  Some of the lakes are big enough they rarely freeze.  Its a very cold winter when they do.  As a result of that open water effect, the hills around the lakes are excellent for growing wine. And many wineries are located along the hillside looking down at the lakes.

The lakes are separated from each other by large sloping hills of land. Grape growing perfection.  And some how there is enough water at the top of these hills to produce a amazing number of water falls. And these falls are well fed with water and some are amazingly tall.  Over the last several million years the water coming off those hills have made some very amazing gorges.  The bedrock is typically limestone and the water, with a little help from some sand, can carve amazing features from the limestone.  And form beautiful waterfalls. Oh, and let not forget to mention the “pools”.  I forget the actual geological name (Pothole Pools?), but they are incredibly inviting on a hot day. Refer to my video on Treman State Park.   Though it is against the rules, you wouldn’t be the first to take a quick cool off dip in one of the hundreds of Pothole pools in the gorges feeding any of the finger lakes. Just be aware the water might be very cold!

So I worked at Cornell University for a year to clean up their insurance claims files, and spent every day after work exploring. I worked NY Fish and Wildlife in that area surveying and studying the streams and state forests. When I trained the boys we did it Sundays in Ithaca and afterward we hiked the hundreds of trails.  I never seemed to get too much of the area. Even when I was locked away in college studying diligently and under control, we took trips to the wineries several times a year to stock up on “essential supplies” for studying.

So I give you all this information so you understand that my trip to Treman State park and overnight camping wasn’t really just a stop over on a long trip. It was more like a revisit and get acquainted with a very sexy old girlfriend who still had it all.  In the immediate area of Ithaca, NY there is Treman State Park,  Buttermilk Falls State Park, Taughannock Falls State Park, and then just 30miles or so is Watkins Glen State park, Fillmore Glen state park and then another 12 state parks just beyond them.  Including the most amazing Letchworth State Park on the Genesee River Gorge. Spending a week at any of these parks is a exercise in relaxation and immersion in the power of glaciers and water.  And a huge plus is that the 5 star restaurants in the area are almost unlimited.  Pack a large set of pants if you don’t pack hiking gear!

So we stayed at Treman State Park. Officially Robert H. Treman State Park.  I guess there is a state marina also named after a “Treman”.  It was a nice park with a lot of great trails along the stream and great visibility to the falls and features.  Mostly built during the 30’s by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) or Work Projects Administration.  The original stone work is amazing and the beauty of the winding stairs and walls are amazing.  It is great to see these features maintained and in good shape.  The campground however was a little less so.  With the older forest section pretty run down, with a very muddy narrow dirty road leading to the campsites. The Older section had a very older bathroom without showers and with minimal cleaning.  I suppose organic insect control is environmentally friendly, but I prefer the spiders to stay away from my stall and toilet seat.  The newer section was more out in the open flat field, and it had a nice new bathroom with great facilities.  3 showers, 2 toilets and urinals. However, the rest of the campground campers did use this bathroom as the others were too “primitive”.

But the staff at the park were very pleasant.  The park manager was a hard working guy. Had no problem answering questions as he went from job to job.  And the grounds were nicely taken care of, at least in the new section.  I think I would only recommend camping in the area with sites above #50. The currently are no hookups, though that may change in the very near future. I’m told they are all ready to install electricity, they just need to get funding and they can pull wires and be ready for the next season.  That will be great, except for the increase in cost.  State Park camping is getting really expensive with all the “Extra Fees” they now tack on to your “$20” campsite cost.  Extra for dog, extra for Electricity, extra for Showers, extra for non residence, and then they add sales/hotel  tax to that!

Anyway, if you want to enjoy life, I guess you have to pay the price.  There are boondocking areas within 30 miles of this area.  None quite as secure or convenient.  And if your an adventurous soul, Just up the lake there is a nudist resort you can stay at for just $65 a night.  All the typical facilities! Hot tub, Sauna, Pool, Volley ball and Shuffle board.  Are you brave!  No Video YouTube for me!!

We’ll see you on the road,  Akela is trying hard to get his fur off so he can go naked.  Its tuff wearing a fur coat in 90 deg weather.

Rick & Akela