X-C skiing close (2hrdrive or less) to syracuse

[ESFstumpie]

Hi....

I go to SUNY ESF in Syracuse and am looking for places to go x-c skiing, preferably ungroomed but it dosnt matter, anything to escape the city. Does anyone know of anything... trails, parks, etc that are relatively close in proximity. I have read about Bear Swamp state forest in the Conservationist.

[Hakuna Matada]

There are several places I can think of right off hand. The tourathon trails in Boylston have many miles of groomed and ungroomed trails. Get off at the Sandy Creek exit and head east. They hold a 50 Km/ 25 Km race the first weekend in February. There is also Chateguay Forest in that same general area that has ungroomed trails. Farther down 81 is Jeff-3 trails in Barnes Corners. Take Adams Center exit and go through Rodman (east). they are ungroomed trails and some are along a beautiful gorge. Trail head is on left on Rt 177. Highland Park south of Syracuse but I think you pay to ski there. I've never been so I don't know if it's groomed or ungroomed.

[JimB]

Mr stumpie , Bear Swamp is highly recommended. There is snow there earlier and later than anything else around because of the elevation. Also the trails are almost always tracked because so many people go there. I've already been there once this year even with the crappy snow and now it's probably great. It has everything from tight and steep to a great 9 mile road loop with rolling hills. We usually park at the Iowa road trailhead because it has the best access for longer trips. The DEC has a trail map available that sometimes can be found in a box at the 2 trailheads. Check it out

[Wildernessphoto]

Hi....

I go to SUNY ESF in Syracuse and am looking for places to go x-c skiing, preferably ungroomed but it dosnt matter, anything to escape the city. Does anyone know of anything... trails, parks, etc that are relatively close in proximity. I have read about Bear Swamp state forest in the Conservationist.

Hi!
Another suggestion now that snow has finally arrived in Central NY is Morgan Hill, and Highland forest just south of where you are. If you go south to Tully, and east on Rt. 80. next road past the Rt. 91 turn off is Herlihy Rd. That takes you up to the Morgan Hill State forest. You can XC ski on the roads and trails there, or if you continue on Rt. 80 you will come to Highland Forest. Good trails there as well.

Have fun!
-Gary-

[cnymike]

Another great place is Hammond Hill just outside Dryden, between Cortland and Ithaca. It's off Rt 13. Turn left on Irish Settlement Road, turn left on Hammond Hill Road. Follow it to the end. Great trails, good variety, great snow because of the higher elevation.

[hillman1]

Great Bear is an ok spot in phoenix ny. It's more easy rolling and a great place for novice skiers. Happy valley in Mexico is good too, and the roads get packed down from snowmobiles making for a great 14 mile road loop, puncuated with deep powder skiing in some of the woodsy pockets of downhills. A good place to find outdoor ares for exploring is on www.geocaching.com just type in an area code and you will find places in your own area you have never been to.

[serotonin]

Off-hand, there's a place along the Salmon River Reservoir (w/yurts to stay in),
and there are trails outside of Boonville too.

[bridgeman]

Black River Environmental Improvement Association (BREIA) outside of Boonville maintains several miles of trails and the best part is their free. go to their website http://www.breiax-countryski.org/ for information.