Nearest city Tully, New York Area 5.965 km² | Established 1978 Phone +1 607-674-4017 | |
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Location Cortland and Onondaga counties, New York Governing body New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Address 4WD Rd, Tully, NY 13159, USA Similar Highland Forest County P, Adams Eden Camp, Shackham Pond, Spruce Pond, Clark Reservati State Park | ||
Labrador hollow unique area central ny gem
The Labrador Hollow Unique Area is a 1,474-acre (5.97 km2) conservation area located in Cortland and Onondaga counties, New York, and was the first property to be designated as a Unique Area by New York. The area is located adjacent to and between Kettlebail State Forest and Morgan Hill State Forest, and is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The area is open to the public and includes Labrador Pond and Tinker Falls.
Contents
Physical features
Labrador Hollow sits within a one-half-mile-wide (0.80 km) glacially carved valley with steep walls. The valley's orientation and topography cause it to be shaded for most of the day, leading to cooler conditions and plant life more typical of mountain bogs such as those found in the Adirondacks.
Tinker Falls
Tinker Falls (also known as Tinkers Falls) is a waterfall approximately 50 feet (15 m) in height. The falls are formed by a small stream which cut a gorge through shale above a 20-to-30-foot-thick (6.1 to 9.1 m) layer of limestone, which rests atop more shale. As the limestone shelf eroded much slower than the more easily eroded shale below, a waterfall with a recessed amphitheater was formed.
Labrador Pond
Labrador Pond is 102 acres (41 ha) in size, and is shallow throughout, with a maximum depth of four to five feet (1.2 to 1.5 m). The pond supports a variety of warm-water fish species, and contains significant aquatic vegetation. The pond's outflow is Labrador Creek, which flows into the east branch of the Tioughnioga River.
Recreation and facilities
Labrador Hollow Unique Area is open to the public for recreation including hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, nature viewing, fishing, hunting, and non-motorized boating. A hang glider launch is located on a hillside in the eastern portion of the area.
In addition to 4.8 miles (7.7 km) of trails that are maintained within the area, a 2,000-foot (0.38 mi; 0.61 km) handicapped-accessible boardwalk is available within the wetlands at the northern end of Labrador Pond. Additional accessible features include a fishing pier along the pond's western shore, and a trail to view Tinkers Falls from near its base. Trails to reach the recessed amphitheater behind the falls, as well as to reach the top of the falls, were improved in 2014.
Sportfish species in Labrador Pond include chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow perch, common carp, and brown bullhead. Fishing is permitted from a pier constructed on the western shore, or from non-motorized boats that may be hand-launched from the same location. To protect the sensitive shoreline habitat, shore fishing is not permitted.
Prohibited activities within the unique area include camping and the building of fires, although primitive camping is permitted in the adjacent state forest properties.