Hiking in Whetstone Gulf State Park, NY

Three of us met a 9:00 a.m. for the ninety-minute drive to Whetstone Gulf State Park. The hike took place in perfect weather, 45 degrees and brilliant sunlight, not a cloud in sight. After a brief but steep assent from the car park, the trail climbs very gradually to the edge of the gorge, with the sound of the river constantly roaring below. The fall colors were near peak, and breaks in the trees showed amazing scarlet, orange and gold trees on the other side of the gorge. Our lunch stop was a shale ledge hanging out above the gorge, 400 feet over the river. After lunch, the trail skirts the edge of the gorge with sheer drops, waterfalls, and views of the river far below. The return path is on the north side of the gorge. Total hike time was about four hours.

We will meet at the Alliance Bank baseball stadium parking lot in Syracuse at 9:00 a.m (weather depending, see below), planning to arrive at Whetstone Gulf State Park around 11. The hike is about 4.5 miles, with a steep climb to the trail followed by mostly level walking and a steep descent back to the parking area. Along the way there is a spectacular rock ledge hanging out over the gorge where we will make a lunch stop. We should be back in Syracuse around 5:00 p.m.

Bring a comfortable day pack with a lunch and trail snacks, sufficient water for a four-hour hike, a hat and sunscreen, a fleece, and rain gear if needed. Good footwear is needed for this hike due to protruding tree roots and rocks on the trail. Sneakers are probably not a good idea, unless they are sturdy trail runners.

*Bear in mind that this hike will be canceled if it rains heavily. The trail can be very slippery in wet conditions, and it passes close to several sheer drops.