The Outlet Trail in Penn Yan NY

One day we took a walk on the Outlet Trail that goes from Penn Yan to Dresden. It is a six mile park that follows a trail that was a former railroad line. The railway was constructed on the towpath of the Crooked Lake Canal. There were once 27 locks over this short six mile span, which set it up for failure as a commerce pathway from Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake.

In the late 1700's through the 19th century there were many Mills along the Canal with large communities around them. 

These days it is a nice place to walk, jog, bike, horseback ride or even smowmobile during the winter.

We saw a number of people fishing along the banks.

Another Mill below is Birkett Mills, still operating today and the nation's number one producer of buckwheat products, such as flour and pancake mix.

Below is one of the remaining railroad tracks along the canal.

We couldn't figure out this sign.

There are also some water falls on this trail. We thought about coming back and starting at the other end , bringing our bikes, but we took a different hike instead. Below is the town of Penn Yan. Love the old towns and beautiful old houses in the Finger Lakes area.