Syracuse.com - Warm weather prompts memorable trip to Chimney Bluffs State Park with my daughter

[HuntingNY-News]

We weren't disappointed. We found Chimney Bluffs to be impressive, awe-inspiring -- one of Upstate's unique outdoor places that everyone should visit at least once.

Katie Figura photo

Prompted by last weekend’s unseasonably warm weather, I decided to check out Chimney Bluffs State Park in northern Wayne County for a day hike with my daughter, Katie.

It’s the first time I’ve been to the park, located on the eastern side of Sodus Bay on the shore of Lake Ontario.

We weren’t disappointed. We found Chimney Bluffs to be impressive, awe-inspiring — one of Upstate’s unique outdoor places that everyone should visit at least once.

Katie Figura photo

It has an ocean shore-like feel. It’s a place where land and water clash, sculpting one of the most dramatic landscapes on the lake’s shoreline. The main features of the park are its huge spires made of clay and rock that reach some 150 feet in places.

The park has about four miles of hiking trails, including mile-long walks along the upper ridge of the formations, or along the shoreline between the west and eastern entrances. The park is free and there are picnic areas, benches and restrooms.

Katie Figura photo

Saturday afternoon, there were nine other vehicles in the park’s western parking lot. While walking the upper trail, which was muddy in places, we ran across Sandy King, of Lyons. She told us she visits the park as often as possible, describing it as a “magical place.”

A “hippie at heart,” she smiled as told how she and her husband were married on the beach near the park’s eastern entrance in 2004.

“I was barefoot ... he wore sandals,” she said.

Katie Figura photo

King said she grew up near the park and as a child would scale a number of the spires. She added the relentless wind and water, though, have cut down and changed a number them since her childhood.

“I wouldn’t trying climbing them this time of year,” she added.

We also came across Steve Daniel, of Rochester, who had a set of binoculars around his neck and was carrying a spotting scope commonly carried by serious bird watchers. He too had come to the park because of the warm weather, he said, hoping to catch sight of migrating waterfowl and other birds.

Daniel noted the near 50-degree weather, which had melted much of the snow and ice throughout the park, was causing unseasonal activity.

“I saw a honey bee in the parking lot,” he said.

I can’t recommend this place enough. It took us about 50 minutes to get there from Skaneateles.

Katie Figura photo

Katie Figura photo

Katie Figura photo

Katie Figura photo

Katie Figura photo

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog