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Downloads Section 20 - PA 287 Middlebury/Tioga to NY Border
Last Updated on June 06, 2024
Guide: 13th Edition
Map: Map T20 (06/23)
QR Code for Avenza PDF map software:
Section 20 Area
Alerts: Between Ridge Rd and Smith Hill Rd - Closed Oct 1-Jan 31 for hunting. (corrected dates vs. 12th edition Guide) Road detour for thru hikes uses PA 287 for length of Hammond Lake, Elkhorn Rd, Howe Hill Rd, west end of Smith Hill Rd. The longer but more peaceful (but sunny) dirt road route on Ridge, Gee, and Elkhorn Creek roads is now yellow blazed. (10/15; 9/17; 6/21)
Elkhorn Rd waterfall to Scenic View Dr - MST has been moved onto dirt Howe Hill Rd to get the hiker off the paved Elkhorn Rd faster, and to avoid an always unpleasant brushy area that could not retain a maintainer. (6/23)
North side of Scenic View Dr - RV's Mt Top/Tioga Heritage Campground has returned to its old name Scenic View Campground. Contact Fred, the owner, by TEXT identifying yourself as an MST hiker. 607 857-0735 (11/13; 6/21)
Between campground/Scenic View Dr and Smith Hill Rd - Logging has obscured former off-road trail in this area. Orange blazes now follow Scenic View, Mann Hill, and Smith Hill roads, the former blue blazed bypass route, offering better views of the exotic wildlife through high fence. (8/14, 7/15, 5/16; 12/17)
Baldwin/Shepard Creek Rd is now abandoned by both Lawrence and Farmington Townships. Still passable for hikers, however stick to the blazed trail, do not use the former road compass-south trail-west of the trail in Farmington Twp near Smith Hill Rd. (7/15)
South Shore Recreation Area beach house - NB the trail has been relocated slightly to the left, after coming down the steps from the men's shower area, look to the left for blazed and signposted trail entering the woods. (6/23)
North side of Cowanesque Lake/Moccasin Trail - Footbridges are either in disrepair - have been removed, or about to be. A significant relocation near the head of the lake is contemplated, awaiting final approval and clearing. (1/24)
NB km 26.65/SB km 3.51: The footbridge over Mapes Creek has washed out. Best detour southbound is to turn left at the washout without crossing, pass the remains of the bridge washed off to the side, follow left creek bank downstream, then follow the blazes to cross down below. Mapes Creek moved enough that the blazed trail crosses it 3x now, instead of once. The middle crossing is treacherous, steep bank. Conversely northbound, cross at the first blazed location, but just stay on that side of the creek until past where the bridge used to be. High water route (actually shorter) would be to follow Bliss Road compass-west trail-south to the next trail parking lot, or compass-east trail-north to Heffner Rd intersection. Has been reblazed. (1/21; 6/21)
Gas drilling and pipeline work is under way on private land in this section. At this time we think any interruptions in the route will be short term in nature and able to be detoured using the nearest road. Please download the current maps. Any particular concerns contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (6/11)
Elkhorn Rd waterfall to Scenic View Dr - MST has been moved onto dirt Howe Hill Rd to get the hiker off the paved Elkhorn Rd faster, and to avoid an always unpleasant brushy area that could not retain a maintainer. (6/23)
North side of Scenic View Dr - RV's Mt Top/Tioga Heritage Campground has returned to its old name Scenic View Campground. Contact Fred, the owner, by TEXT identifying yourself as an MST hiker. 607 857-0735 (11/13; 6/21)
Between campground/Scenic View Dr and Smith Hill Rd - Logging has obscured former off-road trail in this area. Orange blazes now follow Scenic View, Mann Hill, and Smith Hill roads, the former blue blazed bypass route, offering better views of the exotic wildlife through high fence. (8/14, 7/15, 5/16; 12/17)
Baldwin/Shepard Creek Rd is now abandoned by both Lawrence and Farmington Townships. Still passable for hikers, however stick to the blazed trail, do not use the former road compass-south trail-west of the trail in Farmington Twp near Smith Hill Rd. (7/15)
South Shore Recreation Area beach house - NB the trail has been relocated slightly to the left, after coming down the steps from the men's shower area, look to the left for blazed and signposted trail entering the woods. (6/23)
North side of Cowanesque Lake/Moccasin Trail - Footbridges are either in disrepair - have been removed, or about to be. A significant relocation near the head of the lake is contemplated, awaiting final approval and clearing. (1/24)
NB km 26.65/SB km 3.51: The footbridge over Mapes Creek has washed out. Best detour southbound is to turn left at the washout without crossing, pass the remains of the bridge washed off to the side, follow left creek bank downstream, then follow the blazes to cross down below. Mapes Creek moved enough that the blazed trail crosses it 3x now, instead of once. The middle crossing is treacherous, steep bank. Conversely northbound, cross at the first blazed location, but just stay on that side of the creek until past where the bridge used to be. High water route (actually shorter) would be to follow Bliss Road compass-west trail-south to the next trail parking lot, or compass-east trail-north to Heffner Rd intersection. Has been reblazed. (1/21; 6/21)
Gas drilling and pipeline work is under way on private land in this section. At this time we think any interruptions in the route will be short term in nature and able to be detoured using the nearest road. Please download the current maps. Any particular concerns contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (6/11)