Watkins Glen State Park

Close your eyes. Imagine warm sun gleaming on your skin, leafy green trees offering an oasis of shade, and ice cream dripping down your hand because you can’t lick fast enough. I’m ready. How about you?

By mid-summer I am vociferous in my opinions on the drawbacks of humidity. But, right now, not so much. I don’t care if it’s hot and humid. Just so long as it’s hot. At this moment, I’d be willing to take my chances with a mosquito infested swamp in the middle of a Floridian August if it meant some warmth might make it all the way to my bones.

That said, I should mention that I grew up in a warm locale and have no intention of returning. I like seasons. I even like winter. I even like…gasp…snow, despite the fact that right now it seems impossible to recall that I have ever been hot enough to sweat. Or wear less than 15 items of clothing at the same time. Seriously, at this moment, I do not doubt that I have always been cold and that I have always worn huge segments of my wardrobe simultaneously just to stay warm enough for my skin to stay pink and, you know, life-like.

But, I’ve been fantasizing about past summer adventures. And, lucky me, I have a lot to choose from. However, with the upcoming return to Corning for the trial heavy on my mind, it seems rather fitting to focus on a summer adventure from that neck of the woods. So, as an extra-special-summer-fantabulation bonus, I’d like to tell you where to take a hike the next time you find yourself in the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Actually, there are a lot of fabulous choices. But, today I’m going to focus on one, Watkins Glen State Park. And, despite my opening paragraphs, I’m going to include photos from both summer and winter for your viewing pleasure. It’s a good study in contrast and the icicles are so impressive that you simply have to see them. I should also mention that it is not raining in any of these photos. Those, my friends, are waterfalls.

Watkins Glen is a short, but gorgeous, 30-minute drive from Corning. Field after field of corn, sprawling old barns, and Amish horse-drawn carriages give way to your first, glittering glimpse of Seneca Lake.

The Village of Watkins Glen sits at the southern tip of the lake and is famous for car racing. It got its start in 1948 with a road race, the first after WWII, called the Watkins Glen Sports Car Grand Prix. Today, Watkins Glen International hosts a number of NASCAR events throughout the year. Driving through town during the summer can be challenging due to the large number of tourists. But, the charming main streets are full of period buildings that hold interesting shops, restaurants and galleries. And, ice cream. I’ve never been anywhere else with as many delicious ice cream stands as the Finger Lakes. Really, they’re everywhere. They’re like the Upstate version of Seattle coffee shops or Southern California taco shops. Everywhere.

But, back to our adventure. Sitting towards the southern end of town is Watkins Glen State Park, our destination of the day. When you first pull into the parking lot you are immediately awed by the towering walls of shale, limestone, and sandstone leading toward the entrance of the 778-acre park. But, the real magic happens once you pass through the gate into the gorge.

We decided to do the Gorge Trail, a 1 ½ mile trail that leads you right through the heart of the gorge. With 200-foot cliffs above, bridges over, and waterfalls around almost every corner, it is truly spectacular. As is the steep, breath-stealing stone staircase, with 800 steps, that leads you up and out at the end. At this point, hot and tired like us, you can choose to stop for an ice cream before taking the free shuttle back to the entrance and your car.

During the winter, the Gorge Trail is closed. As you might imagine, it’s simply too dangerous due to icy conditions, both underfoot and overhead. Check out the size of those icicles! However, you can peer down into the depths from one of the rim trails and from the Suspension Bridge, which is where we got some great shots of the gorge in all it’s winter finery.

If you are really motivated, the Park’s trails connect to the Finger Lakes Trail, an 800-mile system of trails in the state. Or, there are countless other parks, gorges, and trails to explore in the area. And, trust me on this, the region is simply magnificent during the vibrant fashion show that arrives each autumn.

So, what are you waiting for? Go to the Finger Lakes Region. Now!