Earl Cardot Eastside Overland Trail, Bard Road to Center Road, Cassadaga
Visited January 8, 2023
Address: Bard Road (Route 312), Cassadaga, NY
Parking: Room for 5+ cars, dirt parking lot
28 degrees, no breeze, 11:20-12:00 PM
No restroom facilities available
The trail is free.
Leashed pets are welcome and Wesley would have loved this trail, but I had left Wesley at home today because I planned to explore the nearby Rushing Creek Preserve.
The trail has a natural surface interrupted by the stairs at the beginning with a rudimentary hand rail and one short bridge about halfway between Bard Road and Center Road.
I walked less than a mile but all of my recording devices failed me today so I can not give a more precise distance. The trail was quiet except for the sound of water, birds, and a few vehicles passing on the nearby roads.
The trail is well marked with blue blazes. It is well maintained except for a wobbly section in the middle of the handrail at the start of the trail.
I would not recommend a stroller for this hike.
I did not see anyone until I returned to my car. This hiker had progressed all the way to the lean tos and had returned. Very ambitious!
I did not see any trash while on this section of trail.
No mosquitos today.
I saw deer hoof prints and coyote prints near the stream by the parking area. There were ground pine and a variety of tree species including hemlocks and maples.
Be sure to check the webpage for closure or notices before visiting: https://hikechautauqua.com/map/east-trail-map/
Parking Area as viewed from the road
View of Bard Road from a spur trail from parking.
Turning right and viewing down stream.
Nice colony of ground pine.
I followed the blue blazes up this slippery slope. Be aware of the weak section of the hand rail about half the way up.
It was exciting to see two pages of entries at the sign in station.
One small bridge on this section
The trail continues after a short walk along Center Road.
Down this road (Center Road) a short way then cross to the trail on the left.
View as I turn around to return to my car.
I am just learning to use Strava. I hope to be able to share my walks with this mapping tool in the near future.