Chimney Bluffs (Wayne)

Nature Study


Maps:
New York State Atlas & Gazetteer (Delorme Mapping Company) page(s): 73
Other Maps: AAA Finger Lakes Region Road Map; USGS (7.5') Sodus Point
How to get there:
From NY 104 about 2.5 miles east of Sodus Bay, turn left on Lake Bluff Road. Alternatively, go north on NY 414 from I-90 at exit 41 until it ends at NY 104, and continue on Lake Bluff Road. Proceed north for 2.8 miles, then turn right on Lummisville Road. Go East 0.8 mile, then turn left on East Bay Road. After passing Slaght Road at 2 miles, keep right at the next fork (East Bay Road). Go north for 1 mile to Lake Ontario, keeping left at the next fork. There is a dirt parking lot on the left.
Description:
Chimney Bluffs is an undeveloped state park, which the state now preserves as a "natural" area, without amenities or fees. It consists of a huge drumlin which is continually being eroded into high spires,, pinnacles, cliffs, and ridges reminiscent of the Badlands. Begin your hike by climbing down the steep bank to the narrow beach and heading west (left). The beach is covered with cobbles eroded from the drumlin. Within a few hundred feet, the first of nine ridges comes into view; these rise above you as much as 150 feet, the first of nine ridges comes into view; these rise above you as much as 150 feet. It is possible to hike up the gullies between the ridges and spires for different viewpoints, but be careful not to damage the fragile landscape. The bluff extends more that 0.5 mile along the lake before tapering into flat land. When the bluff is only 10-20 feet high, leave the beach and climb up one of several paths to the footpath that runs along the edge of the bluff and head east. The path is badly eroded in spots, so one must sometimes find parallel trails back from the edge. There are narrow projections on some of the hogbacks that provide spectacular views of the formation. In the springtime, the wooded bluff is an excellent places to see ferns and wild flowers, such as Trillium, Solomon's Seal, Columbine, Jack-in-the-pulpit, Trout Lily, Hepatica, Spring Beauty, Wood Betony, Ginger, etc. There is occasional poison ivy along the margins of the woods. At the eastern edge of the bluff, the path descend along the edge of the bluff here. Other attractions: There is a large marsh along the east side of the road which has many birds. One can canoe up to 10 miles in East Bay and its source streams. Lake shores Wildlife Management Areas are nearby.
Area Literature:
No
Nature Center at Site:
No - this is a undeveloped area
Area Administrator Information:
 
Limits to Access:
Beach is impassible in winter
Type of Path:
Dirt
Types of Nature Study Activity:
Wildflower and plant study, geology
Natural Features:
Forest, Glacial features