Hi Tor's Sylvan Glen

Below you will find my recent post of Hi Tor's Sylvan Glen to http://www.motherearthprayers.org/

The link is: http://www.jubileeinitiative.org/SacredHiTor.html

Hi Tor's Sylvan GlenHi Tor (Naples), NY
One of the many places of Prayer in Upstate NY.

If you are a pilgrim looking to experience and see a Spirit Keeper's site first hand and desiring to experience a beautifully forested glen, you should go to Hi Tor State Forest. The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) descends from Bristol Hill in Hi Tor State Forest crosses several well-preserved Spirit Keepers sites. It is also a very good representation of the sylvan glens so common to the Finger Lakes Area—hemlock forests, waterfalls and ridged trails that offer spectacular overlooks.

Pilgrims Journey
You will follow the FLT west of where it crosses Downey Road as it dips for a stream. Look for a trail registry just west of the intersection. Downey Road is a dirt road and much of it is closed and damaged by rain water. You will be walking on the south side of the stream.
Haudenosaunee---You will not have to walk more than 150 to 200 feet before you come upon several sacred sites that I believe were created by the Haudenosaunee. Look for several flat stones marking a sacred site on your right next to the trail towards the stream. If you look across the water you will notice that the other side begins to widen out.
You will have to cross the stream to get to the other sites. Look for a small bluff, not more than 10 feet high, that contains a ceremonial circle. From there look west about 20 to 30 feet ahead and you will see another sacred circle.
The center of the second circle marks the intersection of 3 spirit lines and 4 energy lines (a fifth energy line traverses the circle). All these energy lines were probably drawn there because of the love and devotion shown by those that prayed and performed ceremony there. You can still feel it. “Aums to you, for your prayers and good intentions. Thank you and blessing to you.” Spend some time and soak it in. Spread some tobacco, say thanks, pray or meditate there.
Spirit Keepers—Get back on the trail and continue for another 50-75 yards. The trail rises 20-30 feet and then dips several feet. It appears that trail work is going on to make stone stairs for the dip. On your right you will see a large stone and a stand of hemlock trees by the stream. Get off trail and walk along the stream bank.
This is a very powerful stacked field of consciousness. You will notice several large stones that appear to be aligned in a straight line. Look at the picture above on the right. You will see that a pad is placed on the closest stone, then the dogs are on the next one and behind the dogs you will see another stone. Each one of these stones was place on place of consciousness by the Spirit Keepers. This is one of their classic formations. Notice several low lying piles of stacked stones(one is pictured on the left)—they are the remnants of sacred mounds that are thousands of years old. Notice all the stones and no apparent streambed or runoff that may have created them. They do not look spectacular--neatly stacked, high or ornate--but remember they were placed there thousands of years ago. Fortunately there were no farmers close by that decided to use them to build a stone fence.
This area is wonderful. Pick a spot where you feel called to and pray, contemplate or meditate. You may want to sit on one of the flat stones or a mound. Whatever you pick will be fine because there are so many fields upon each other and the prayers and intentions of those that came before still linger.
While the stone piles are far from visually inspiring, relatively speaking, they are in good shape. We have to remember that they are thousands of years old. Decay and movement take their toll.
When you are finished get back on the trail and continue walking. You will not have to walk far before the trail turns right, away from the stream. Continue walking straight and go off the trail. You will climb an embankment where another stream runs into the main stream. There are two large stones marking two sacred sites.
Descend the embankment to the other side. There you will find two other large stones marking two sacred sites(pictured below on the right). These two sites or the two on the other side would be great places to meditate.
Temple Area—about 10-20 feet ahead of you on the ridge you will find several low lying piles of stones. I believe that these stones are the remnants of two sacred structures/lodges.
Continue along the ridge, maneuvering fallen trees. You will not have to go more than 50 to 75 feet before you reconnect with the trail.
Before you reconnect with the trail, the ridge will jut north towards the stream. At the high point of the ridge you will find a stone marking a sacred site that overlooks the stream.
Walk down along this ridgeline as it descends to the stream. Just before you get to the stream there is a small rise, a bluff not more than 10 feet high that contains a sacred site marked with a stone. A great place for ceremony and meditation, especially when the water is running fast.

Trail
There are several more sacred sites found along the trail, although they do get sparse.
If you are up to it I would recommend a walk along the trail. I walked a little over a mile and found that while the stream descended, the trail did not decline much in elevation. It offered spectacular ridge views in beautiful sylvan forests.

Finding Hi Tor's Sylvan Glen
You can access the FLT and Hi Tor’s sylvan glen at Donley Rd in Italy NY. I would suggest taking Parish Hill road off of Rte 245 just north of Naples (southern end Canandaigua Lake). Take a right onto Shay road and keep going uphill. Take a right onto Donley at the top. Donley will eventually end and you will have to park (look for designated area just north of last house) then walk about a quarter of a mile to get to the FLT.
You can also access Donley off of Brink hill Rd. near the town of Italy. The map will not show Donley road going to Brink Hill Rd. because that stretch has been closed up for years. You will see a parking spot on the western side of the road that I believe will have FLT markers. This access point may be a little friendlier in the winter time; at least I think so.
You may wish to read a New York Times' article on Bare Hill and nearby Clark’s Gully Canandaigua Lake, N.Y.: Of Indian Legends and Sylvan Trails.
For a Blog about Clarks Gully and the Hi Tor area click on. Hi-Tor Stone Monuments.
For a picture show of Clarks Gully click on: Lower Clarks Gully--NY State Waterfalls
For more information call the NY DEC at 607-776-2165 or NY ranger Dormer at 585-374-9730 if you have more questions.
I would suggest a visit to Bare Hill up the road less than ten miles away. As well as Clarks Gully and Upper Clarks Gully, South Hill in the valley below.

Peace,Madis Senner

PS. I would appreciate information on other stone formations in the High Tor area.