Cortland County High Point Trip Report

Virgil Mtn (2,132 ft)

Date: April 19, 2002
Author: Michael Schwartz

Note than Dan Case's report from July 2000 leads one to the top of the Greek Peak Ski Area, about a mile north of Virgil Mountain.

I started my approach from the junction of NY 200/221 in southwest Cortland County. From there drive 3.6 miles east on 221 and turn left (north) onto Clarks Corner Road. Go 0.3 mile, bear left at the triangle onto Quail Hollow Road, and cross Flint Road almost immediately. About one mile further north, continue straight where Fritts Hill Road goes left. A short distance north bear right at a triangle "T" intersection, and about 0.1 mile east bear left again, still on Quail Hollow Road. This final stretch of Quail Hollow ends in 1.5 miles at Valentine Hillerline crossing shown on the topo. Per Bob Packard, a high clearance vehicle could drive the right of way to a point just east of the summit. Continue north of the power line to the road junction at spot elevation 1987. I parked here in order to have a due north bushwhack to the summit. The easy hike took less than 15 minutes. At the top look for the very obvious witness post and benchmark marked Virgil 2 1934, in open woods.

A white blazed (Finger Lakes?) trail goes right over the summit, but is not useful for the ascent from Valentine Hill Road.

Back at the car, I zeroed the odometer and continued north on Valentine Hill Road, soon reaching the junction shown on the map where Van Donsel Road goes left. Valentine Hill Road is bermed here and not open to motor vehicles. Van Donsel Road passes a gated woods road at 1.0 mile that looked to be the road where Dan started his hike. Van Donsel Road reaches NY 392 just east of Virgil at 3.3 miles. It is signed there and provides a very practical northern approach route.