Trail Conditions/Announcements:
  • May 17
    Weather permitting, Keuka College students, faculty and staff will take a casual bike ride down the Outlet Trail on Saturday, May 17th. Participants will rendesvouz at the baseball fields in Penn Yan at 1:00 and will stop at Mr. Twistee's (Dresden) half way through. Ride organizers say that "road bikes can handle the trail (as long as you take it sloooowww) but hybrids or mountain bike tires are preferable." Helmets required; water a must (there is no potable water in the gorge). The round trip is expected to take about 2- 2 1/2 hours. (posted 5/12/2008)
  • May 24, 2008 The Naples Hotel
    The "folk+everything else" duo called CorDean will perform at The Naples Hotel in Naples on May 24th from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Because CorDean took a promotional photo at Seneca Mills Falls, we are announcing their next gig. This is not an endorsement of the duo or their music -- just information in case any trail users are interested in hearing the band whose picture is now in our photo gallery. (posted 5/12/2008)
  • Early June (est. June 4, 5 &6), 2008
    The Cascade area and downstream: The DEC has announced that the Outlet Creek will be treated for lampreys in mid May, after Catherine Creek is treated. The treatment is usually applied just above the falls at The Cascade and is monitored as it flows downstream. According to the DEC, the lampricide is not harmful to trout and it does not pose a health risk to humans. However, as a general precaution, the NYS Dept. of Health advises against stream water consumption, swimming, livestock watering or irrigation, or eating fish caught during the treatment period. Paddlers should also avoid paddling from The Cascade downstream, because of the potential for capsizing (or rolling) and thereby consuming water, and because the creek level will be reduced for the 3-day treatment and monitoring period. (posted 5/12/2008)
  • Important Notice
    Attention Trail Users: During May (spring turkey hunting season), hunters may be present in the Outlet area. You are advised to wear high visibility clothing (e.g., blaze orange) and proceed with caution.

    Attention Hunters: Hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders, dog walkers, and others use the trail throughout the year. Their safety is your responsibility.

    Attention Everyone: The Outlet Park is open from dawn till dark -- the trail is not open after dark between Cherry St. (Penn Yan) and the Dresden Trailhead. If you are in the Outlet Park before daylight or after dark, you may be arrested for trespassing.
    (posted 1/29/2008)
  • The Cascade Complex.
    For information about Cascade Falls Kayak Adventures, upcoming races and practice sessions, or to help with creek maintenance and clearing, please contact Art Miller at (585) 704-2374 or email Art at KayakAdv@rochester.rr.com.
    (posted 8/24/2007; revised 9/15/2007 & 9/29/2007)
  • The Cascade Complex.
    Deconstruction of buildings and removal of the furnace at the Taylor Chemical site (former J.T. Baker site) at The Cascade Complex (just east of the Visitor Center, east of Ridge Road) is nearly complete. Only minor cleanup work remains to be done. Should the trail need to be rerouted temporarily, which is highly unlikely, signs will be posted at trail access points by the contractor -- trail users should have no problems moving through the area.
    (posted 8/24/2007; revised 9/29/2007, 11/25/2007 and 01/29/2008)
  • Cherry St. Access, Penn Yan.
    For over twenty years, four trail management signs were posted at the east side of the Cherry St. Access. These signs said the following: "Outlet Trail Parking," "Authorized Vehicles Only," "This is a public recreational facility. Feel free to walk, run, ride your horse, use your bicycle, use your snowmobile between Dec. 1 - April 1, but please don't litter, pick flowers, remove anything, use a motor vehicle or any other vehicle without authorization," and "Natural areas possess hazards not normally encountered in your home surroundings. You are responsible for your own safety." A year ago, these signs were removed, because they had been spray-painted and damaged by vandals; and new and slightly smaller signs, with less wording, were posted by Penn Yan's former Police Chief, Steve Hill. However, all the rules and regulations quoted from the original signs are still in effect. (posted 8/24/2007)
  • Dresden Trailhead to Cherry St. (Penn Yan)
    Should there ever be snow...The Friends Board of Directors approved a request by the Yates Area Snow Travellers Association (YASTA) to be allowed to groom the Outlet Trail (between Dresden and Cherry St.) after dark. The approval authorizes the grooming machine and one (1) accompanying snowmobile to be on the trail until approximately 9 p.m. Grooming is considered a trail maintenance activity; grooming makes it possible for the trail to be used by hikers and cross country skiiers, as well as snowmobilers. By being able to be on the trail into the evening hours, the groomer can attend to the entire trail in a single day. Darkness also allows the machine's lights to highlight rough areas on the trail. Other than the one snowmobiler accompanying the grooming machine, snowmobilers, like bicyclists, horseback riders, paddlers, hikers, walkers and all other visitors, are not allowed to be on the Outlet Trail after dark. (posted 10/25/05)

Events:
  • Check back for planned events.

Instructions:

To post notices on this e-board about upcoming events in the Outlet Park -- or to post advisories regarding trail or creek conditions -- send a brief description to outlettrail@hotmail.com. Be sure to include contact person's name, phone number, and e-mail address, as well as the date and site/location. Submissions may be edited before being posted and will be posted and/or removed at management's discretion.

  • If you are interested in holding a fund-raiser such as a walk-a-thon, jogging or bicycling event on the Outlet Trail, please contact us so that we may discuss "logistics" and publish a notice about the event in our newsletter, as well as on this e-board. Please let us know by early September, December, March, or May, for inclusion in the quarterly issues.
  • If you wish to hold an event with over 10 participating horses or snowmobiles, please contact us well in advance. We frankly hope to discourage large parties of large animals or noisy sleds, especially if trail conditions are questionable. Remember that Village of Penn Yan regulations prevail on the Outlet Trail between Cherry St. and the Elm St. ball fields.
  • The picnic pavilion at Seneca Mills Falls is available on a "first come, first served" basis. At the moment, reservations are not taken. However, if you wish to hold an event (such as a small wedding and reception) at the falls and pavilion, please contact us so that we may post the date (and time) and advise you regarding how to proceed, rules that must be followed, etc.