About the Park
By roloNestled between the Allegany foothills and the Finger Lakes of New York State is one of the jewels of the New York State Parks system, Letchworth State Park, also known as “The Grand Canyon the of East”. Today this 14,000 plus acre park offers a wide variety of family activities; you can rent one of its 82 cabins or perhaps stay at one of its 270 campsites or experience the beautiful accommodations at the historic Glen Iris Inn. You may also swim at one of 2 pools or perhaps hike on over 60 miles of trails. If adventure is what you seek, try hot air ballooning over one of 3 waterfalls, Upper Falls (70ft), Middle Falls ( 107 ft )or Lower Falls ( 70ft ), or go white water rafting though miles of scenic gorge with walls as high as 600ft on the Genesee River. Perhaps you would like to ride a horse though a portion of the original 1000 acres deeded to NYS. All this with vistas and panoramic views that are unequaled anywhere in the eastern United States. A photographer’s heaven with locations such as Inspiration Point, Eagle Hill, Wolf Creek, Great Bend, Smokey Hollow, Hog’s Back and the Highbanks.
100 YEARS OF LETCHWORTH
By roloWilliam Pryor Letchworth and his Gift
On December 1, 1910, William Pryor Letchworth passed quietly into eternal rest at his Wyoming County home, Glen Iris. This set in motion processes that would bring great changes to his property and the surrounding countryside.
Born in 1823 in Brownsville, NY, Letchworth was the fourth child of eight in a tight-knit Quaker family. He grew up valuing honesty, piety, modesty, hard work, education and service to others. Apprenticed as a clerk in a saddalry and hardware business in nearby Auburn, he quickly became so well known for industry and business sense that he was offered a partnership in a new metal working business being established in Buffalo, New York when he was only 25. The Pratt & Letchworth firm prospered, thanks to William’s hard work and organizational skills.
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Novice Nature Ski Hike
By EffieRoverLearn to cross country ski or polish your skills on trails in Letchworth State Park. Bring your own ski equipment. Meet at Trailside Lodge at 1:00 pm on Saturday, February 18. 1 hour, 1 mile.
Easy Family Cache and a nice walk, too.
By EffieRoverWe did this geocache as a family, with two toddlers. It was not terribly hard to find, but challenging enough to be fun. You start at a point, then the instructions lead you to several really (really!) nice gorge views before you go digging through the woods for the cache. Details at http://www.navicache.com/cgi-bin/db/displaycache2.pl?CacheID=895
Update: seems the cache is gone, but RoadKill intends on replacing it. Hope that happens soon.
-- Loy
Geo Cacheing in the Park
By EffieRover
On a chill but bearable winter day, geo-cacheing in the north end of the park. We found it and got a rubber chicken for our trouble.
Loy Gross, Jan 2005
Pea Soup
By EffieRover
I have no idea why the water is that color. The camera captured it perfectly, though.
Loy Gross, Jan 2005
