It's time again for the Finger Lakes Rendezvous, at the Potomac Group Campground of the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector NY.
October 16-19, 2008.

Finger Lakes Rendezvous October
(formerly PWYP-North)
Open to all, kids and dogs are welcome.

Marty Simon will be leading us on a Plant Identification walk at sometime over the weekend. Plan on a Trade Blanket Saturday afternoon. We will do a group potluck dinner Saturday evening and a daily evening campfire, complete with tall tales and snacks to share. We will there be just after the full moon (10/14) and as in years past, enjoy the cries on a number of Coyotes.

There are several nice hiking trails in the immediate area, some fantastic waterfalls for those who want to check them out.

Plan on a number of knives and some assorted camping gear to be available for the group to play with.

Finger Lakes National Forest, Hector NY
I've reserved the group campsite for Thursday October 16 through Sunday October 19. This should be in the heart of the fall foliage season.

»Finger Lakes National Forest«
The Finger Lakes National Forest encompasses 16,118 acres, nestled between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes in the Finger Lakes Region of New York State. The Forest has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse gorges, ravines, pastures, and woodlands.

1700+ ft Elevation.

The Finger Lakes National Forest District Headquarters is located at:

5218 State Route 414
Hector, NY 14841
(607) 546-4470


Contact me if you need more specific directions.

A couple of ways in....
DIRECTIONS
From the South, take State Route 17 to exit 52 (Watkins Glen exit/State Route 14 North). In Watkins Glen, turn right on State Route 414 North.
At the Fourth St. intersection go approx. 9 miles north, to the Hector Ranger Station. ½ mile past the Ranger Station turn right, Schuyler County Route 2. Go 4.4 miles east past County Route 4 to the “Tee��? intersection. Turn left onto Potomac Rd and look for the signs for the Potomac Group
Campground.

From the North, take I-90 to exit 41 (State
Route 414 south to Hector, NY). The second asphalt road on the left past Wickham’s Plaza
(1/2 mile) is County Route 2. Turn left and go 4.4 miles east past County Route 4 to the “Tee��? intersection. Turn left onto Potomac
Road and look for the signs for the Potomac Group Campground.

We will be in NY State wine country, so we should have wine on the menu, feel free to bring what you want.

The well pump at the site is DOA, so all water needs to be brought in. It's about a 200 yard walk to the campsite/cook shelter from the car park, along a well maintained but gated forest road. The cook shelter will be more than large enough to shelter us from foul weather, and there is a large forest service grill at the camping area. I'll have plenty of charcoal for group use.
I don't drink coffee, nor do I have a coffee pot, so hopefully someone will bring 1 or 2 for group use.

I will have a 4 wheel cart for the group to use to ferry gear in and out of the campsite.

Campsites can be woods or meadow sites, camping at the Potomac Group Campground is camp where you want as long as it is off the trails. There are two well maintained forest service deluxe toilets on-site.

Temps, Evening in the 30's are possible as are days in the 70's.

New York State DOES NOT honor any other state handgun carry permits, nor does it allow handgun possession. Unless you have a NY carry permit, or are current or qualified retired law enforcement, you are on your own if you bring a handgun into New York State. It's a felony.

Long guns are allowed should you so desire to bring one. There is no target shooting in the forest, but I am working on a area to shoot. New York State hunting and fishing regulations apply.

The Forest Service has 2 very nice toilets at the campsite.


Please PT or email me sbraider2001@yahoo.com if you are interested in coming.

In the past we've spent a lot of time showing off our BOB's and emergency gear, talking emergency gear around the campfire and spending hours testing gear that others have brought with them that we are interested in.

BTTT

This will be the third year I'm making this trip. It's a nice group of folks and a nice area to visit.

I'm 'bout 3000 miles away, or we would stop by...

One minor point to be aware of: You may be sharing the Forrest with hunters. Saturday, Cctober 18 is opening day for New York's Southern Zone archery deer season.
(All the guys in camo aren't, necessarly, with us!)
Hope I'll be able to make it.

Let us know. Several ETS'ers are coming.

Sorry just saw this . I'd love to come as i live just outside of rochester..... BUT it is opening week end of bow season , I'll be 20 foot up a tree .

So come for Thursday and Friday, or make your tree in our area.

A few picture of past trips have been added HERE

A bunch more have added pictures of past trips. Looks like we could have 20+ in attendance, maybe 30.
Still room for more, if you want to come, please send me a private message. This looks to be a great trip.
At least 1 bow hunter said he expects to come, and if he get lucky, will supply some deer meat. I will make a delivery of firewood before the trip if needed.

We had a great 4 days. Trip report posts to follow
We had about 25 from several forums enjoying camaraderie of the evening campfires and the frosty mornings of the Finger Lakes of NY.
The 4th annual FLR will be happening again next year, close to this same time

I can't wait to see the pictures. Hurry up will ya?

Well as usual, we all had a great time. Good people, good weather and good food. A special thanks to Bark River for the knives for the giveaways.
Marty Simon

My brother and I had a great time that we had to cut short so I could get home to take care of my wife. Looking forward to next year.