There really is too much to do within the High Tor complex and several visits will be needed to take in all the sites and activities. No doubt the rich habitat and all the wildlife it supports is why the Audubon Society has recognized the West River and the High Tor WMA as an Important Bird Area (IBA). There is virtually no doubt that herons and other predatory birds will be seen fishing the banks of the river and often up close for excellent photo ops. Fishermen, of both human and avian variety, flock to the river for a chance to catch the abundant fish. Rainbow trout are also known to have remarkable spawning runs along the river. This treasured flat water marsh provides ideal habitat for largemouth bass, which literally jump out of the water during the spring feeding frenzy. Various car top launch points are available along the river as well as on the southwest corner of Canandaigua Lake. Ambitious paddlers can explore the lake itself, but be advised strong north-south winds often fill the center of the lake with tall waves. It is akin to Adirondack paddling trips and a true testament to how removed the river and wetlands actually feel. In fact, paddling up the West River to the developed shores and loud motors on Canandaigua Lake feels a bit like stepping forward in time as the wilderness cedes to civilization. Surrounded by forested, over-steepened hillsides, the river and vast wetlands are truly peaceful and a world unto themselves. Tall cattails and thick lily pads carpet the banks throughout the 1,700-acre marshland. Over four miles long, the meandering West River, as well as trips along tributaries, provides ample paddling in an almost idyllic landscape. A Seneca legend tells that within this gully is a crevice from which their ancestors emerged to populate the earth. The gully features two smaller waterfalls that are safely accessed.
This unit is adjacent to the West River Unit on the north side of NY 245 and is accessed via a parking area along Sunnyside Road.
Expect to get your feet wet along this unmarked scramble and be cautious of slippery and high water conditions.Ī Seneca legend tells that within this gully is a crevice from which their ancestors emerged to populate the earth.Īnother creek walk, along a slightly more formal trail, explores Clark Gully in the South Hill Unit. The more adventurous and sure-of-foot can creek-walk the gorge. The only formal trails that explore this gully follow the rim and have several stunning scenes of the gorge and Angel Falls. The best trail map for the area is available from the Finger Lakes Trail Conference and can be purchased individually or as part of a package that includes the entire vast FLT network, a staggering thousand miles and counting.Ĭonklin Gully, a recent addition to the WMA, is adjacent to the upland unit and near two of its major access points (the parking area along NY 245 and the upper parking area along Parish Hill Road). The one exception is group camping for youth groups, such as boy scouts, which requires a special permit. Backpackers and thru-hikers should note that as a wildlife management area there is no camping within the unit. The trail system is also a part, albeit only a short section, of the more extensive Bristol Hill Trail, a branch trail of the even longer Finger Lakes Trail (FLT). The trail network is a mixture of access roads and rugged worn footpaths that wind their way through open fields and dense woodlands with the occasional wooded glen and pond to spice up the experience.
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