By Michael Johnson
LACONA, NY – For bicyclists, skiers, hikers and participants in other such outdoor activities, Winona State Forest in Lacona can offer much throughout all seasons of the year.
A visit to the trails of Winona State Forest can become a frequent destination, providing a thrill and an opportunity to disappear into an untouched, silent forest. Driving “up east,” expecting to find space to stretch out muscles and to leave civilization behind, will not disappoint even the most experienced off road riding enthusiast.
The well maintained trails offer a plethora of choices for the novice and the seasoned cyclist to test skills and endurance while sheltered by an emerald forest canopy, disturbed only by the calls of a variety of wild birds.
Starting out at the Wart Road parking area, accessed by travelling east on Center Road from Co.Rt. 22 in Lacona, and after taking the important step of signing in at the trailhead register, a quick right turn brings you on to one of the favorite trails of the expansive system, Bill’s Belly, named after Bill Thayer, the “voice of the tourathon” ski race for many years.
The soil base of the trail is often slightly damp from the recent rain, and stretches of the trail are crossed by roots and textured with rock. You will soon come upon a stretch of trail that shows evidence of recent maintenance, with a fresh layer of crushed stone that softly crunch underneath your tires.
Winona Forest encompasses a whopping 9,233 acres, straddling the border between Oswego and Jefferson Counties, along the Western edge of the Tug Hill Plateau. Criss crossed with nearly 70 miles of trail, the forest is an all-season playground for all manner of trail sports, such as cycling, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback riding, dog sledding and hiking.
As you ride through the verdant landscape, you might encounter an occasional pile of crushed stone or a culvert waiting to be installed, evidence of the Phase 2 trail rehabilitation project underway in the area. Underwritten by a $36,182 matching grant from the Environmental Protection Fund’s Park and Trail Partnership Program, the funds are being used to improve and increase the number of trails available to visitors.
According to Pat McFalls, a member of the WFRA trail maintenance committee, “Much of the trail work being performed is an effort to improve tremendous water runoff issues.”
Gates have also been put in place to keep motorized vehicles from damaging the non-motorized trails.
“Plans are in place to construct a shelter on Bill’s Belly, as well as several new single track trails,” McFalls said. “We will also be utilizing two snowmobiles and a small fleet of fatbike specific groomers to make the trail system available in the winter.”
Coasting down a small embankment and turning onto Hawley Road, settle in for a gradual climb, enjoying the smoothness of the well worn truck trail as you roll steadily along. The low hum of knobby tires on the earthen surface will be a nice change from the more technical terrain found on the narrower singletrack trail.
Taking a right turn on to Sally’s Ride, one encounters a grove of tall White Pines, reminiscent of a cathedral, with the treetops arching to meet overhead. Soon an upslope just a little too steep to pedal up may cause you to dismount and hike-a bike up the slightly damp stones. At the top, you will be treated to riding on a surface of fallen pine needles, a magic carpet of softness and silence.
“Winona is a great venue for beginners and families, with many trails that are not too technical,” McFalls said.
With ongoing improvements and upgrades, the trail system continues to attract cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts, many of whom cannot wait for the snow to fly and turn this quiet, green wonderland into a frozen winter playground.
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Can you camp on that state land