Briggs Gully

[tjconheady]

N 42.72142 W 77.48829



Found this when browsing around for Reynold's Gully, looks a little steeper

[cbobcat49]

It's a really rocky creekwalk about a half mile to a semi-interesting waterfall. Only about 30 feet high. The creek goes through lots of old growth forest which is cool. I remember reading somewhere that there was archaeological evidence of a Seneca longhouse somewhere along this creek.

There's also Bray Gully a few miles north of here and Affolter Gully that flows into the other side of Honeoye Lake. Both have small falls in them.

[Matt]

I'd like to update my database with this? do you know about the land ownership status of any of these?

[cbobcat49]

Briggs and Bray are public. Briggs is owned by the Finger Lake Land Trust. The entrance to Affolter Gully has a house right next to it. It seemed unclear to me whether or not the creek was a part of their land. It could be though.

Here's an article I found about Briggs Gully...

January 2, 2007
For Immediate Release
Contact:  Andrew Zepp, (607) 275-9487
 
ACQUISITION EXPANDS CONSERVATION AREA IN ONTARIO COUNTY
 
Ithaca, NY – The Finger Lakes Land Trust today announced its acquisition of 32 acres of forest as an addition to its Wesley Hill Nature Preserve in the Town of South Bristol, Ontario County.  The land is particularly significant in that it features a portion of Briggs Gully – one of the Finger Lakes Region’s largest gorges.
 
The parcel was purchased from Ontario County resident Don Schenkel.  It adjoins the Land Trust’s existing preserve, which now spans nearly 400 acres of open space and features several miles of hiking trails. 
 
“This is an important addition to the preserve and we greatly appreciate Don Schenkel’s willingness to work with the Land Trust,” says the Trust’s executive director Andrew Zepp.  “We intend to continue working in this area of the Bristol Hills – particularly to promote the protection of private lands through the use of conservation easements.”
 
The Wesley Hill Nature Preserve encompasses a variety of wildlife habitats, including mature forest, successional fields, and the rugged terrain of Briggs Gully.  With entrances on Gulick Road and Wesley Hill Road, the preserve is a popular destination for hikers and is open to the public during daylight hours. 
 
This latest acquisition represents the Land Trust’s third project completed in the Town of South Bristol.  The Land Trust earlier worked with the Town to establish Carolabarb Park, overlooking Canandaigua Lake on Ontario County Route 12.  The Land Trust also last year worked with the members of the Richard Morse Conservation Club to secure their property near Seneca Point through the use of a conservation easement.
 
The Finger Lakes Land Trust was established in 1989 to work cooperatively with landowners and local communities to conserve those lands that define character of the Finger Lakes Region.  To date, the organization has conserved more than 8,600 acres of the region’s undeveloped lakeshore, pristine wetlands, majestic forests, and scenic farmland.
 
For additional information about the Land Trust or to get directions to the Wesley Hill Nature Preserve, contact the Land Trust’s Ithaca office at (607) 275-9487 or visit its web site at http://www.fllt.org.

[hobkyl]

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This is a great creekwalk on the lower eastern side of Honeoye Lake. Past the public boat launch, almost at the end of East Lake Road, find the creek and park on the side of the road. Climb down the rocks and into the creek you go. There is quite a bit of flow even in August. This walk is done almost entirely in the creekbed. Halfway up on the right side there is a campsite, with log and even rock seating around a firepit. Keep trekking on and you will come to the base of the main falls. Not sure of the hieght, guessing 30 to 40 feet. Shallow, but nice wide pool at base of the falls. Huge cliff walls adorn each side of the gully at this point. For the brave, climb over those falls and be treated to a 10-12 footer? This a great waterfall to visit in the summer due to the abundant water flow. Hope you enjoy. Interested in meeting new people to hike, explore, and photograph waterfalls in this area if anyone is interested.
~Kyle

[cbobcat49]

Welcome to the forum Kyle. My wife and I have been to Briggs twice before. The streambed seemed to be very rocky and uneven compared to most flat shale creekwalks in that area. The falls at the end definitely makes it worth it though.

[Matt]

Kyle,
thanks for the information, and great photos too!
Welcome to the community!

[Brenda]

Hi Kyle! Very nice photos! Welcome!