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Along the Milk Run- Nelson Rd Trailhead Link Trail LbNA #18029 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Sep 11, 2005
Location:
City:Canastota
County:Madison
State:New York
Boxes:1
Found by: T-N-T
Last found:Apr 26, 2010
Status:FFFFFFF
Last edited:Sep 11, 2005
Exiting the NYS Thruway at Canastota (NYS Rte. 13), turn left and procede South thru the Village of Canastota to the stoplight at the NYS Rte 5 intersection. Turn Rt. (West) onto Rte 5 and procede @ a mile to Nelson Rd, which will be on your left across from Owl Wire. Turn left (south) on Nelson, and keep going until you see a split-rail fence marking a trail head on your left. (If you come to a stop sign, you've gone too far.) Park your car on the gravel pad at the trail head, and head in on foot, going due East.
This is an easy, level walk @ 3/4 mile one way, and quite pretty. It's downright beautiful in the fall, and you'll probably need skis or snowshoes in the winter.
The trail is a recently completed certified link of the North Country Trail, a National Scenic Trail under development from the Dakotas through the Great Lakes states to Maine.
Like most of the Link Trails in Madison County, this one uses the old Lehigh Valley Railroad's right of way for its trail bed. (You can find old spikes and other goodies if you keep a sharp eye out.) This old railroad served late 19th/early 20th century dairy farmers with pickups of their milk in cans at sidings from here to the PA border. The milk was then consolidated, processed, and sold in the bigger cities south of CNY. Trains like this were called "milk runs", hence the name of this l-b.
At @ 1/3-mile down the trail, you'll see a side trail to the right just before a large double deadfall across the trail. A hike up this side trail will reward you with a view of an old mill pond and the ruins of the 1890's Canastota water works, which served the village over 100 years ago. At @ 1/2-mile from the trailhead, a farm access road crosses the trail at an angle, coming in and out of the ravine where the trail runs. Cross the road, watching for the blue rectangular blazes for guidance.
The trail begins to curve downward and to the left not far after you cross the road. Soon you'll pop out over a considerable ravine where the railroad engineers put in conduits for the creek below, and filled up to grade level above. You're V. close to your goal now!
Stop and enjoy the sight here, esp. in the autumn when the leaves have changed color. Continue across the ravine, and watch for a small trail that forks off to the left just after you get across the ravine. This little trail is loaded with wildflowers from spring to early fall, as is the main trail itself. As you consider heading down it in search of columbines or Solomon's seal, look at the 12" maple just to the right of the side trail, (therefore on the left of the main trail.) At its base you'll find what you're looking for. After stamping in, please replace the stones, bark & sticks to make it look as natural and obscure as possible, since the l-b is a mere 2-feet off the trail. The trail has been recently publicized and has become v. popular with groups and individuals. It is my hope that the 'Posted' signs down the side trail will keep most youngsters from investigating too closely. Thanks for visiting. While you're in the area, you may want to check out the other Pookah Clan boxes in Madison County, each with a BRIEF history lesson and great sightseeing!