Wendy hikes and photographs the paths at Fillmore Glen State Park

by Jim Bessey,  for Wendy Montreuil

It's an invigorating two- to three-hour walk, with breathtaking views of Fillmore Glen and its waterfalls, in the state park named for our 13th President. Wendy and her family took the trek in early October, just before the leaves began to turn. These are just a few of the many beautiful images she captured along the way.

Fillmore Glen features 5 major falls and numerous cascades

The hike includes stone-walled walks and several bridges across the creek

Here's a wider view of two of the 8 or so bridges

The entire glen hike passes through breathtaking scenery by the water

Fillmore Glen State Park is open throughout the year, and its adjacent camping area offers a wide array of campsites from mid-May to mid-October. The gorge trails close in November for safety reasons. During the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built most of the stone walks, stairs and bridges (seen above). Part of Dry Creek is dammed in summertime to provide a swimming area.

Round trip, the gorge trail offers a moderate to difficult five-mile hike with spectacular views. Easier access to some paved trail sections is available from the Cowsheds parking area. Find the park about one mile south of the quaint village of Moravia, birthplace of President Millard Fillmore.

Photos reprinted by permission from Wendy Monteuil, all rights reserved..
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From the official Fillmore Glen State Park website:

Fillmore Glen is one of the many beautiful gorges in the Finger Lakes region. Out of all the surrounding parks (Buttermilk, Treman, Watkins Glen), Fillmore is the most rustic and closest to its natural state. Fillmore Glen  is an oasis of cool, dense woods crowding into a long, narrow gorge. Its hiking trails offer magnificent views, distinctive geological characteristics (similar to Watkins Glen), including five major waterfalls within the glen. The park has 60 campsites, a stream-fed dammed swimming area and fishing in the Owasco Lake inlet. In the winter the park is often used for hiking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.

How about you? Do you have trail hike pictures you'd like to share? You can reach me via Comments or by using the link at the top of this page.