Trails Less Traveled

Covered bridge in Erwin Park

This past Sunday we played along a wonderful trail in Boonville. We began our 20 mile bike ride in Erwin Park by the covered bridge that spans the Black River Feeder Canal. The trail winds along the old Black River Feeder Canal which in times past connected the Black River with the Erie Canal and was built to maintain water levels in both bodies of water. We followed the towpath across Moose River Rd. and then across Hayes Rd. West. Continuing onward along the beautiful canal, we saw the remains of boats that one time plied their way along the canal. All that remains today for our view is the metal pipes sticking above the water. We turned off the towpath at  Hawkinsville Rd.  and took a left down the hill and over the bridge crossing the Black River. Then we took a right onto Edmunds Rd. and enjoyed the scenery of the Black River to where we came to River Rd. - a seasonal road which them led us into Forestport.

After a brief rest stop at Scooter’s, we crossed the Black River again and pedaled right up Dutch Hill Rd, and then another right on to Canal Rd, which led us to another point on the Black River Feeder Canal Towpath. We then biked the approximately 10 mile trip along the towpath back to Erwin Park, often pedaling against a strong head wind and at times a side wind that teased us by making us think we were going to be blown into the canal – an adventure we were happy to avoid until warmer weather arrives! Numerous gateways across the towpath challenged our navigating abilities as we slowed to squeeze through narrow opening sn either side of the gats in order to coninue on our journey.

The terrain was fairly level and biking conditions necessitated a hybrid or mountain bike. It was a glorious

Black River Feeder Canal Towpath

day to be outdoors enjoying the sights of this area of our state.  We finished off our ride with a wind-blown picnic in Erwin Park.We rode our bikes along the feeder canal towpath, but you could have just as easily hiked long sections of this trail and found just as much enjoyment. For more history of this area, visit http://www.blackrivercanalmuseum.com/CanalHistory.htm or stop in at the Boonville Black River Canal Museum.

Windy Picnic