Cortland County High Point Trip Report

Virgil Mountain (2,132 ft)

Date: July 14, 2000
Author: Dan Case

There are two ways to do this.

The easy but longer way (in hiking terms) is either hike up the slopes of the Greek Peak ski area or the FLT.

The harder way: Exit I-81 at Exit 9, US 11/NY 221 at Marathon (where else to start a trip like this?). Follow 221 out of Marathon a few miles to Clarks Corners Road. A few miles further on watch for Quail Hill Road on the right (intersection sort of hidden by farmhouse) and turn right. This leads eventually into John Kennedy State Forest, and to dirt roads. Stay in a generally northbound direction. Continue onto Valentine Hill Road when you see it. This road gets rougher and more rutted, but is still passable whatever you might be thinking. The Finger Lakes Trail (white blazes) will cross and briefly join the road at one point. Keep going but take note. Keep going past the power line crossing.

Finally you will see the FLT (also marked at this point with a North Country National Scenic Trail marker) cross the road again at one bump. You are behind the summit here. Park down where the gated road comes in from the ski area.

Walk back up it and follow the trail uphill. In 200 feet it leaves state land for ski-area property and very soon levels out. You can see the top chair lift station through the Norway spruce groves near the top. Leave the FLT where it turns just before the ski trail's snow guns and walk over to the top of the chair lift. The high ground is that around the hut by the top of the lift. Nice but limited views are available to the north. Total hike is about 0.3 miles from where you parked. The road behind you may connect to the one you parked in but the FLT is a public route.