Pine hills
These trails are a work in progress and take many hours of volunteer labor. The long-term goal is to develop a multiple-use trail that is good for hiking as well as horseback riding. The horse trails can be used for hiking during dry times of the year. This area can also be used for camping with self-contained units. Space is available for a number of large horse trailers. A large parking lot has been constructed at what locals call "Pineapple Junction" off Carr Corners Road.
The New York State Horse Council (leaves DEC website) maintains a trail system on this unit that connects with neighboring South Valley State Forest. Horseback riding is a popular activity on this Their website includes cemetery records and local history. One of these water holes still exists on the property.įor more history on this unit, visit the Painted Hills Genealogy Society (leaves DEC website). Rock-lined water holes were created to provide a water supply for fire fighting, and in some instances tree watering. When trees were planted in old fields, grass fires were always a threat to the new plantation. Pine Hill State Forest has a number of old fields that were planted with conifer trees. Projects included road construction and the planting of thousands of pine, larch and spruce trees in the open areas on the property. The CCC, established by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, provided employment opportunities for young men during the Great Depression. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC, carried out various projects at Pine Hill State Forest. The most common recreational uses of this area are hunting, hiking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Pine Hill State Forest totals 1,139 acres.
The road will reopen when maintenance is completed to allow safe motor vehicle traffic. NOTICE: Hotchkiss Ridge Forest Road, beginning at Pineapple Junction, is temporarily closed to the public.
Map: Pine Hill State Forest Map (GeoPDF) - GeoPDF Instructions || Horse Trail Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator.Location: Towns of Randolph and South Valley, Cattaraugus County.