Our Stories

Stephanie Campbell, NCTA Regional Trail Coordinator for New York and Vermont, and Steve Kinne, NCTA Central New York Chapter volunteer, walked the proposed Trail route through Clark Hill State Forest from Latteiman Road to Stringer Brook, and then communicated with Scott Healy, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Supervising Forester, at the Herkimer office. Scott subsequently gave the go-ahead to flag the proposed Trail on the south and north side of Stringer Brook in anticipation of a hike-through at the end of August.

Steve accomplished 90% of route scouting and flagging by the hike-through date. Stephanie, Scott, and Steve hiked almost that entire route (including exploring crossing spots of Stringer Brook). Scott has approved the entire proposed route from Latteiman Road NW to Stringer Brook, and also from Buck Hill Road S. to Stringer Brook. Scott suggests initially treating Stringer Brook as a “rock hop” crossing with appropriate safety signage, just to get the project moving. (This was proposed years ago but was denied by Scott’s predecessor.) Scott also plans to invite McCrea Burnham (from the NYSDEC Albany office) and an engineer to look at the potential crossing site, and to discuss a suspension bridge option for some point down the road.

Steve has further scouted and flagged the proposed route from Dole Road to Latteiman Road on the southern end, and from Buck Hill Road N. into Pixley Falls State Park on the northern end. Steve is also working with the staff at Pixley Falls State Park to resume discussions on extending the proposed Trail from Clark Hill State Forest down to join their Red Trail, which will need scouting and flagging.

The NCTA Central New York Chapter is now in need of volunteers – particularly from the Rome and Boonville areas – to work on constructing the new Trail. If you’re interested in these efforts, please submit a Volunteer Interest Form today or email the Chapter directly with questions: cny@northcountrytrail.org.