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CORNING, NEW YORK

Hiking the Finger Lakes Trails: Trees and Gorges in Wine Country

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 NY

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 Walking/Hiking

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 $700 - $1000

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Road Scholar
Program #12667RJ

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6 Days | 5 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderately Challenging
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Love to learn in a small-group setting? This collection of programs has at most 10-24 participants.
See our Small Group programs.
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
1700 feet is the highest elevation participants will experience.

 Equipment Requirements
Bring gear that you like to have on the trail: binoculars, boots, hat, pack, insect repellent, etc.

Itinerary for Jun 2 — Jun 7, 2013

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Type: Conference Center

 Description: Watson Homestead has been an Road Scholar super site since 1982. Comprised of over 500 acres, the site is located 15 minutes (8 miles) west of Corning. It was established by Thomas J. Watson (founder of IBM) on his birthplace - hence Watson Homestead.

Contact info:
9620 Dry Run Road
Painted Post, NY 14870 USA
phone: 607-962-0541
web: www.watsonhomestead.org

Room amenities: Heat and AC, some rooms feature an outside patio and are located one level below the dining room and classroom level - via stairs. Since we are a retreat center, individual guest rooms do not have television sets. There are television sets in three lounge areas available for guests.

Facility amenities: Amenities on site and at no extra charge to participants include indoor heated pool, hiking trails, daily group newspapers, wi-fi capable in classroom and lounge areas, chapel, coffee/beverage, free parking and snacks.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $85
Add-a-room accommodations for participants may be available, depending on availability. Please inquire.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Sunday, June 02 - Registration/Orientation 
Afternoon: At 3 PM you will meet your host at the front desk for room keys and packets. Refreshments are available in the Dining Room. Pool will be open for swimming 4:30 to 5:30 PM Free time for hiking on the Watson Homestead trail system on the property.

Dinner: Dinner is served in the Dining Room. We feature all-you-can-eat country-style buffet entrees with at least one vegetarian option and a full salad bar daily with each dinner.

Evening: Orientation: we introduce the site, staff and week's program. Then we ask participants to introduce themselves to each other and mention any outstanding Road Scholar programs they have attended.

Lodging: Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center

Meals Included: Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: Watson Homestead has been an Road Scholar super site since 1982. Comprised of over 500 acres, the site is located 15 minutes (8 miles) west of Corning. It was established by Thomas J. Watson (founder of IBM) on his birthplace - hence Watson Homestead.

Contact info:
9620 Dry Run Road
Painted Post, NY 14870 USA
phone: 607-962-0541
web: www.watsonhomestead.org

Room amenities: Heat and AC, some rooms feature an outside patio and are located one level below the dining room and classroom level - via stairs. Since we are a retreat center, individual guest rooms do not have television sets. There are television sets in three lounge areas available for guests.

Facility amenities: Amenities on site and at no extra charge to participants include indoor heated pool, hiking trails, daily group newspapers, wi-fi capable in classroom and lounge areas, chapel, coffee/beverage, free parking and snacks.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $85
Add-a-room accommodations for participants may be available, depending on availability. Please inquire.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Two: Monday, June 03 - Morning hike on the Finger Lakes Trail to Watkins Glen. Tower Climb.... 
Morning hike on the Finger Lakes Trail to Watkins Glen. Tower Climb. Evening lecture.

Breakfast: Breakfast in the dining room.

Morning: The Finger Lakes Trail (FLT) System of New York State, comprised of the main trail, branch and loop trails, offers over 800 miles of hiking. Three program hikes will be on trails within the FLT System. After breakfast we trarvel by bus to Watkins Glen to hike a portion of the main FLT that parallels the famous Gorge at Watkins Glen State Park, with a cross-over site mid-way on the last leg of the hike for those who wish to view the spectacular waterfalls in the lower Gorge. Total morning mileage 4.1 miles, with a sag wagon mid-way for those who wish to do less mileage.

Lunch: Lunch will be a picnic at the South Entrance (Watkins Glen State Park) pavilion.

Afternoon: Seneca forester, Michael DeMunn will give a guided walk through one of the remaining "virgin growth" areas of the State Park. Then we will visit one of the wineries along Seneca Lake. Back at the Homestead, an opportunity to climb the 36' vertical tower at will be offered. Free time for hiking the trails on the property. The pool will be open 4:30 to 5:30 PM.

Dinner: Dinner in the Dining Room.

Evening: Presentation on Letchworth State Park - our hiking destinatation for tomorrow.

Lodging: Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: Watson Homestead has been an Road Scholar super site since 1982. Comprised of over 500 acres, the site is located 15 minutes (8 miles) west of Corning. It was established by Thomas J. Watson (founder of IBM) on his birthplace - hence Watson Homestead.

Contact info:
9620 Dry Run Road
Painted Post, NY 14870 USA
phone: 607-962-0541
web: www.watsonhomestead.org

Room amenities: Heat and AC, some rooms feature an outside patio and are located one level below the dining room and classroom level - via stairs. Since we are a retreat center, individual guest rooms do not have television sets. There are television sets in three lounge areas available for guests.

Facility amenities: Amenities on site and at no extra charge to participants include indoor heated pool, hiking trails, daily group newspapers, wi-fi capable in classroom and lounge areas, chapel, coffee/beverage, free parking and snacks.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $85
Add-a-room accommodations for participants may be available, depending on availability. Please inquire.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Three: Tuesday, June 04 - FLT Hike at Letchworth State Park and Return to Site/Evening Program 
Breakfast: Breakfast in the Dining Room

Morning: After breakfast we depart for Letchworth State Park and will hike three sections of the Flinger Lakes trail there. Also we will see the Mt. Morris Dam.

Lunch: A bag lunch that each participant put together will be eaten along the trail.

Afternoon: Afternoon completion of hike, relax at Glen Iris Inn and/or visit the Letchworth Msueum and home of Mary Jemison, White Woman of the Seneca. Return to Homestead.

Dinner: Dinner in the Dining Room.

Evening: A presentation by Jenny Monroe on the Iroquois will be offered in a storytelling format.

Lodging: Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: Watson Homestead has been an Road Scholar super site since 1982. Comprised of over 500 acres, the site is located 15 minutes (8 miles) west of Corning. It was established by Thomas J. Watson (founder of IBM) on his birthplace - hence Watson Homestead.

Contact info:
9620 Dry Run Road
Painted Post, NY 14870 USA
phone: 607-962-0541
web: www.watsonhomestead.org

Room amenities: Heat and AC, some rooms feature an outside patio and are located one level below the dining room and classroom level - via stairs. Since we are a retreat center, individual guest rooms do not have television sets. There are television sets in three lounge areas available for guests.

Facility amenities: Amenities on site and at no extra charge to participants include indoor heated pool, hiking trails, daily group newspapers, wi-fi capable in classroom and lounge areas, chapel, coffee/beverage, free parking and snacks.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $85
Add-a-room accommodations for participants may be available, depending on availability. Please inquire.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Four: Wednesday, June 05 - Hike in Treman State Park, near Ithaca. Free evening. 
Breakfast: Breakfast in the Dining Room.

Morning: Travel by bus to Treman State Park in Ithaca. Hike the FLT and Treman Gorge, 5 - 7 miles.

Lunch: Pack lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: Completion of the Trail. Return by bus to Watson Homestead.

Dinner: Dinner will be served in the Dining Room.

Evening: Free evening to explore Corning downtown.

Lodging: Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Conference Center

 Description: Watson Homestead has been an Road Scholar super site since 1982. Comprised of over 500 acres, the site is located 15 minutes (8 miles) west of Corning. It was established by Thomas J. Watson (founder of IBM) on his birthplace - hence Watson Homestead.

Contact info:
9620 Dry Run Road
Painted Post, NY 14870 USA
phone: 607-962-0541
web: www.watsonhomestead.org

Room amenities: Heat and AC, some rooms feature an outside patio and are located one level below the dining room and classroom level - via stairs. Since we are a retreat center, individual guest rooms do not have television sets. There are television sets in three lounge areas available for guests.

Facility amenities: Amenities on site and at no extra charge to participants include indoor heated pool, hiking trails, daily group newspapers, wi-fi capable in classroom and lounge areas, chapel, coffee/beverage, free parking and snacks.

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Additional nights before: $85
Add-a-room accommodations for participants may be available, depending on availability. Please inquire.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day Five: Thursday, June 06 - Finger Lakes Trail hike in the Pleasant Valley section, near... 
Finger Lakes Trail hike in the Pleasant Valley section, near Hammondsport, NY / Complete hike and wine tasting/Hand-Crank Ice Cream Social & Campfire

Breakfast: Breakfast is served in the Dining Room

Morning: Depart by bus for Hammondsport Finger Lakes Trail near Keuka Lake. We will be hiking for 5 to 7 miles on the Pleasant Valley Trail of the FLT.

Lunch: Pack Lunch on the Trail

Afternoon: We complete our hike, Bus to Dr. Frank Vinifera for a wine tasting. Return to Watson Homestead.

Dinner: Dinner is the Dining Room

Evening: Just relaxing and making homemade ice cream - a Watson Homestead Road Scholar tradition, everyone gets a chance to help crank and then decide between hot fudge or homemade maple syrup.

Lodging: Watson Homestead Conference & Retreat Center

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Six: Friday, June 07 - Departures after breakfast and checkout. Museum vouchers for the... 
Departures after breakfast and checkout. Museum vouchers for the Corning Museum of Glass and/or The Rockwell Museum of Western Art, both in Corning, will be distributed.

Depart From: Watson Homestead

Breakfast: Breakfast in the Dining Room

Morning: Vouchers for the Rockwell Museum of Western Art and/or The Corning Museum of Glass will be distributed.

Meals Included: Breakfast


Free Time Opportunities


Painted Post, NY
CorningCorning is the southern gateway to Finger Lakes Wine Country and a busy tourist destination. Go to www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com or www.iloveny.com for complete regional information.
For additional information, visit: www.corningny.com
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
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Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•5 nights of accommodations
•14 meals: 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
•2 Expert-led lectures
•8 Field trips
•1 Hands-on experiences
•1 Performances
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4.8
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